Lesbian Health Issues

Lesbians are, of course, physically no different from straight women and should generally receive the same health care. However, differing social and lifestyle factors can affect our health.

Lack of regular health care is perhaps the main health issue lesbians face. Women who partner with women may avoid annual gynecological exams because they experience—or are afraid they may experience—heterosexist, homophobic or otherwise insensitive treatment from healthcare providers. Additionally, lesbians in general have fewer infections and no need for birth control, so they may visit health care practitioners less often and therefore receive less routine health care than heterosexual women. As a result, lesbians may develop more gynecological problems than straight women because they avoid regular checkups.

All women, whether they have sex with other women or men or do not have sex, should have a well-woman visit at least once a year. Sharing information about your sexual orientation with your doctor helps him or her be more aware of your health care needs. Choosing a provider who is lesbian-friendly (like those listed in this resource guide!) can make this much more comfortable for you.

Following are some important lesbian health issues that you should be sure to discuss with your provider.

Breast Cancer
Lesbians may have “the richest concentration of risk factors for breast cancer than any other subset of women in the world,” according to lesbian health expert Katherine O’Hanlan, MD. In addition, many lesbians over 40 do not have routine mammograms, do breast self-exams, or have clinical breast exams—meaning breast cancer may not be diagnosed early, when it is most treatable. See Lesbians & Breast Cancer for more information about breast cancer.

Gynecological Cancers
Research has shown that lesbians are less likely to receive Pap smears than are heterosexual women. Pap tests are one of the most effective methods of cancer prevention and detection for women, yet both lesbian women and their health care providers often overlook the need for cervical cancer screening.

Many health care providers and patients share the false assumption that because lesbians are not currently sexually active with men, they are not at risk for developing dysplasia, or abnormal cells in the cervix. As a result of this misinformation, lesbians may avoid medical services, and/or health care providers may give incorrect advice and underutilize appropriate health screenings for these patients. However, lesbians, like all women, need regular Pap smears. Learn more about gynecological cancers.

STDs
Contrary to popular myth, lesbians are at risk for many sexually transmitted diseases, as well as HIV. It is important that women who partner with women practice safer sex. See STDs and Safer Sex section.

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