Lesbian Health

Lesbian women face different challenges than heterosexual women when it comes to health. For one, (discussed in Sexual Health) LGBTQIA people fear discrimination from doctors and are less likely than non-LGBTQIA people to go in for check-ups and other doctor visits [1]. In addition, lesbian women are at risk for different health issues. Heart disease kills more women, in general, than any other factor. However, lesbians are have higher rates of obesity, smoking, and stress, all factors that puts them more at risk for heart disease than heterosexual women [2]. Furthermore, studies have shown that lesbians and bisexual women are less likely to incorporate fruits and vegetables into their diet everyday [3]. These factors contribute to an increase in risk of cancer for lesbians. Some of these cancers include: uterine, breast, cervical, ovarian, and endometrial [4]. These are some of the correlated health factors that lesbians are at risk for.

 

However, physical health factors are not the only issues lesbians should discuss with their doctors; they are also at risk for mental health issues. A study done on LGB mental health demonstrated that LGB people exhibit signs of “minority stress”, characterized by discrimination, stigma, and other negative stress-inducing factors that minorities face [5]. LGB people are more likely to face mental health diseases. The study also stated that forced concealment of identity was one of the primary negative causes, but sharing of emotions and expressing their identity freely can reduce “minority stress”[6]. 

 

 

 

 

Citations:

[1], [4]“The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People: Building a Foundation for Better Understanding. “ National Institutes of Health. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US)

[2] Poteat, Tonia. "GLMA - Ten Things For Lesbians." Top 10 Things Lesbians Should Discuss With Their Healthcare Provider. GLMA, May 2012. Web. 09 Mar. 2016.

[3]"Lesbian Health." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2016.

[5], [6] Meyer, Ilan H. “Prejudice, Social Stress, and Mental Health in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Populations: Conceptual Issues and Research Evidence.”Psychological bulletin 129.5 (2003): 674–697. PMC. Web. 10 Mar. 2016.