Looks like there's enough of us for a thread now. :vebo:

The safer sex thread from last week got me to search for articles on lesbian health, because there are certain health issues that affect lesbians more so than other women. I learned a lot from these articles that I hadn't realized before:

http://www.4woman.gov/faq/lesbian.htm

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/pp2/portal/files/portal/medicalinfo/femalesexualhealth/pub-lesbian-health.xml

http://www.gayhealth.com/templates/1110255513270262687001/general/women

The biggest health issue for me that is directly related to my sexuality is avoiding the ob/gyn because I don't need birth control. (Also, I may have internalized the heterosexist notion that female/female sex doesn't count as real sex. ^^;; ) I don't know how many other women have had the same experience, which is why I started the thread. ;)

You still need a Pap smear, though, don't you? Although I avoid those as much as possible, too.

I'm straight, but, justing at the articles you've provided links to, I guess I'm confused as to what health issues lesbians have that differ from those that straight women have?

I apologize in advance if I'm sounding ignorant!

The safer sex thread from last week got me to search for articles on lesbian health, because there are certain health issues that affect lesbians more so than other women. I learned a lot from these articles that I hadn't realized before:


I don't think she is saying that the health problems are the excclusive of lesbians. :)

I don't think she is saying that the health problems are the excclusive of lesbians. :)

Ah, I think you're right now that I reread her original post a little more carefully. Thanks! :)

I've heard that the number of HIV positive lesbians is increasing. Does anyone know more about this? Is it from the virus passing woman to woman, or from bi women getting it from men?

You still need a Pap smear, though, don't you? Although I avoid those as much as possible, too.

Yeah. ^^;; One of the reasons I avoided the doctor was lack of insurance (though clinics like PP will provide exams on a sliding scale). I just got insurance through my job, so now I just need to make an appointment. :worried:

girl2beaver, the first documented case of female-to-female HIV transmission was reported 2 years ago:
http://www.curvemag.com/Detailed/375.html

The risk is still low, but a woman can infect another woman through exchange of bodily fluids.

Lesbians face homophobia from the health care system, whether real or perceived. I know I feel like lesbians are an afterthought in most discussions related to sexuality, if we are thought of at all. This section of the Curve article sums it up:

WHEN IS LESBIAN SEX “REAL”?

Perhaps one of the most striking facts of the first documented case of woman-to-woman transmission is that the HIV-positive partner of the infected woman “used protection only with her male partners, as instructed by her physician,” according to the journal report.

Hollibaugh says she feels the system let the women down. “A woman took responsibility and asked providers how she should handle sex with women and was given incorrect information, and that created a situation where someone else was infected,” Hollibaugh says. “She actually tried to do what HIV providers tell you to do … and was told it was no big deal.”

Most HIV-prevention messages aren’t reaching lesbians and other women who have sex with women because they’ve never been the intended targets of these campaigns. The conventional wisdom in HIV health has been that the risk of female-to-female transmission is so low that it never needed to be taken seriously. For HIV-positive lesbians, however, any risk is a big risk.

B., who asked that her real name not be used, has been HIV-positive since 1989. Her partner isn’t positive, and the couple has worked hard to keep it that way.

“I really take the precautions I need to take,” she says, “even though I feel like I’m dressing up in a Hefty bag” to protect her partner. B. was an early staffer with LAP and currently works elsewhere in the HIV health-care field. Because of her background as an advocate, she says, she’s never had to rely on her physicians for information. In her experience, doctors have never asked about her sexual orientation or behavior, and she hasn’t felt the need to volunteer it.

Reeve says one reason lesbians haven’t been educated about HIV risk is the biased belief that sex between women isn’t “real sex.” Female sexuality has come to be viewed by many health-care providers only in the context of childbearing, she says, and lesbians are mistakenly excluded from those discussions.

I don't think she is saying that the health problems are the excclusive of lesbians. :)

:yes: Certain conditions, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3032454.stm), are more common among lesbians, even through all women are at risk.

Why are these certain conditions more common among lesbians? Is it because lesbians aren't receiving proper medical care due to the perception that what they are doing doesn't count as "real sex"?

Looks like there's enough of us for a thread now. :vebo:

The safer sex thread from last week got me to search for articles on lesbian health, because there are certain health issues that affect lesbians more so than other women. I learned a lot from these articles that I hadn't realized before:

http://www.4woman.gov/faq/lesbian.htm

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/pp2/portal/files/portal/medicalinfo/femalesexualhealth/pub-lesbian-health.xml

http://www.gayhealth.com/templates/1110255513270262687001/general/women

The biggest health issue for me that is directly related to my sexuality is avoiding the ob/gyn because I don't need birth control. (Also, I may have internalized the heterosexist notion that female/female sex doesn't count as real sex. ^^;; ) I don't know how many other women have had the same experience, which is why I started the thread. ;)

I just wanted to say please please please don't let that stop you from seeing the ob/gyn. Their job is to take care of your health, not to judge you because of who and what you are, and if they do, seek another. I can't believe this.

I guess there are some ****ty doctors out there.
:-/

No matter what your sexual preference, its very important to go to the gyno. I have a huge fear myself and stopped going when I no longer needed birth control. It wasn't until I had a sore that I realized that I really needed to get things checked out. Turns out it was just a cogged gland, but I certainly got a scare.

Just like everyone else, you are at risk from anything from herpes (oral passes to genital and vice versa) to cysts to cancers. I know its uncomfortable to get pap smears, breast exams, etc., but its your health. I'd wager to say that you're worth it.

Pretty soon, I'm going to start a sex-ed session at my school. The people who have already taken it say that the main focus is education about the most common STDs among teens (syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, etc). I haven't asked anyone, but I'm pretty sure the target will be how these diseases spread from guys to girls (especially through oral sex). Can anyone tell me how the diseases spread among lesbians, and do you think it's appropriate to ask the sex-ed teacher?

Why are these certain conditions more common among lesbians? Is it because lesbians aren't receiving proper medical care due to the perception that what they are doing doesn't count as "real sex"?

It's hard to find information because lesbians are more or less invisible. Some research indicates that lesbians are more likely than heterosexual women to engage in high-risk behaviors like drinking and smoking. Not seeking out regular health care due to lack of insurance, fear of discrimination, or feeling that you don't need to go are reasons that serious conditions go untreated.

girl2beaver, I think the best approach to is to make clear that ALL exchange of bodily fluids can be risky. As long as vaginal intercourse isn't the only kind of sex discussed, everyone will feel included. :)

i'm ashamed to admit it, but i'm 21 and have never been to a gyno.... *hangs head in shame* I've been moving around a lot for the last couple years and just havn'et made the time. that's something I must do soon. But I'm SCARED. *bad lesbian*

i'm ashamed to admit it, but i'm 21 and have never been to a gyno.... *hangs head in shame* I've been moving around a lot for the last couple years and just havn'et made the time. that's something I must do soon. But I'm SCARED. *bad lesbian*


Me neither. The last time I saw a health care professional it went something like this:

PA: Well, you're in good health but you should come in for a pap.
Me: I thought your chances of cervical cancer are low if you're not sexually active.
PA: Yeah, but we want to get a baseline.
Me: Oh, ok.
Me (thinking): Mmm.... naaaah. See you never, sucker!

I'm doing what I can to keep the cost of health care down, OK? :yes:

i'm ashamed to admit it, but i'm 21 and have never been to a gyno.... *hangs head in shame* I've been moving around a lot for the last couple years and just havn'et made the time. that's something I must do soon. But I'm SCARED. *bad lesbian*


I didn't go until I was 24 (I'm 26 now). Now the only reason I go is to get my BC refilled...I can't ease your fears because...
I put it off fearing how humiliating it would be and guess what...it is. I cried the first time, the whole time <shrug>
My bf doesn't even see me with the lights on...medical professionals or not...it's humiliating.

Um, wow. First of all, I'd like to say that I am truly sorry that your experiences with medical professionals have been so horrible.

Secondly, its really important to go to the gyn. Just because you're not having sex with men does not mean that you might not be at risk for reproductive cancers, and having someone regularly examine you can detect early signs of these diseases (especially ovarian cancer, which is particularly lethal). You might try being open and honest with your practitioner. My gyn knows I'm a lesbian ever since he asked the age old 'what are you using for contraception?' question, and he's very cool with answering questions about transmission rates between lesbians and other pertinent information.

Lesbians are statistically at a higher risk for breast cancer because most of them aren't likely to bear children (that alone puts you at a higher risk for many female cancers), far greater numbers of lesbians smoke, and lesbians tend to have a higher body mass than heterosexual women, for whatever reason.

I'm an RN. I'm going back to school for a master's degree to be a FNP (specializing in rural, historically underserved areas... including pediatrics and women's health). I think women in general, and lesbians in particular, get the short end of the medical stick.

Please, I beg you, take care of yourselves. There are respectful, compassionate professionals out there who won't judge you based on your sexual orientation.

Del, yeah I know. especially considering a past history of sex w/ men, I need to go. I don't have a doctor here in Ontario though, there's none available, so It'll have to wiat a couple months until we get settled back in Saskatchewan

Hey, i live in England i am currently yr 11 at school. Although we have learnt evrything about straight sex( man and woman) e.g protection, emotions etc.. we have had no education at all about a woman and woman. It is never considered as sex by the people teaching sex education.
I never realised, before reading these threads, that most sexually transmitted diseases occuring between man and woman can also be between woman and woman. I think this sort of information should be provided because i am currently thinking that i could be bisexual - possible gay, and i never knew any of this information.. and i think this info is too important for ppl not to be informed about.
What does evry1 else think?