Asexual competent practices in healthcare: A narrative review

IntroductionAsexuals present at health services with unique needs, yet providers typically lack training to care for this population. This narrative review aims to inform providers on best methods of asexual care.MethodsSearch terms included "asexuality" and "health." Abstracts were screened against inclusion criteria, yielding 987 articles. After full-text screening, 44 papers were included.ResultsPathologization, microaggressions, lack of awareness, and institutional neglect pose challenges to asexuals seeking care. Providers can improve asexual care by affirming identity, taking asexual-specific approaches, educating themselves, challenging biases, and fighting for institutional-level changes.ConclusionThese findings may guide practitioners in developing asexual-competent practices.