Lesbian Health Issues (continued)

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Mental Health: Stress, Depression & Anxiety
Lesbians may have additional stresses that compound the everyday stress most people experience. Chronic stress may result from homophobia and discrimination. Physiological responses to stress can have many negative health consequences, especially over a long period of time.

Daily stress of living in a society that does not accept and often does not even recognize lesbians can affect emotional health. In addition, hiding one’s sexual orientation from family and coworkers can be stressful, while coming out can lead to prejudice or abuse.

Stress can also come from a feeling of legal isolation and lack of cultural acceptance of living situations. Lesbians do not have many of the same legal rights as married couples. Lesbians who are parents may face difficulties with parental rights when partners separate.

The effect of stress may be greatest in lesbians who experience multiple forms of discrimination, such as those who are also women of color. The combination of homophobia, racism, and sex-based discrimination puts the health of lesbians of color in “triple jeopardy.”

Support from a gay and lesbian community is vital to maintaining self-esteem and well-being. Talking to a GLBT-friendly counselor or therapist can also help.

Alcohol, Tobacco & Drug Use
Reviews of lesbian health research suggest a smaller percentage of lesbians (compared to straight women) abstain from alcohol. Even when rates of heavy drinking among lesbians and heterosexual women are comparable, rates of reported alcohol problems are higher in lesbians than in heterosexual women. Similarly, a greater percentage of lesbians describe themselves as being in recovery from alcohol abuse.

Preliminary results from the Women’s Health Initiative, a national women’s health research study currently being conducted, suggest that approximately twice as many lesbians are heavy smokers compared to straight women. Almost half of straight women report never smoking, compared to one-third of lesbians. Smoking can increase a woman’s risk for lung and cervical cancer, as well as heart disease.

From the limited data on lesbians’ use of illegal drugs, it appears that lesbians report greater use of marijuana, inhalants and cocaine. There is evidence that female injection drug users in urban areas identify themselves as lesbians at a higher rate than women in general; however, it is possible that injection drug users as a population subgroup might be more willing to disclose their sexual behavior or identity.

Domestic Violence
Rates of domestic violence in same-gender relationships appear to be between 25-33%, roughly the same as domestic violence against heterosexual women. As in opposite-sex couples, the problem is likely underreported. Women involved in same-sex battering frequently report being afraid of revealing their sexual orientation or the nature of their relationship, as they face a system that is often oppressive and hostile towards gays and lesbians.

Local resources for domestic violence in the LGBT community are available. Talk to your health care provider or see the section on Abuse & Violence Prevention.

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