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Health information for lesbian and bisexual women |
Your health and safety are extremely important. Everyone deserves good health and a good life.
 Lesbian and bisexual women are as diverse as the entire community. Like the general population, lesbian and bisexual women vary in terms of age, income, cultural background, affiliation with the lesbian community, and education. Also like the general population, lesbian and bisexual women are varied in their physical activity levels, sexual behaviors, diet, health history, genetics and other factors that affect overall health.
The following general health recommendations for lesbian and bisexual women (and all women) help promote health and prevent disease:
- Not smoking and avoiding smoky places.
- Eating a healthy and varied diet that is low in fat and high in fiber.
- Drinking only in moderation.
- Regular health exams and screening for STDs.
- Regular Pap tests and STD exams. *See article abstract below on "Lesbian health matters: A pap test education campaign nearly thwarted by discrimination."
- Regular breast exams and mammograms after age 40
- Tetanus immunization booster every 10 years.
- 30 minutes of aerobic activity 3-4 times per week.
Some lesbian and bisexual women also have particular health concerns, such as increased risk of hate crimes and breast cancer. These webpages discuss some of these health concerns, as well as the things that you can do to reduce or eliminate your risk for these health problems.
*Co-authored by Ellen Phillips-Angeles, Manager of Public Health - Seattle & King County's Women's Health Unit, the following article was published July 2004 in "Health Promotion Practice":
Ellen Phillips-Angeles, Paula Wolfe, Robin Myers, Patricia Dawson, Jeanne Marrazzo, Sallye Soltner, Mary Dzieweczynski. Lesbian health matters: A pap test education campaign nearly thwarted by discrimination. Health Promotion Practice, July 2004; Vol. 35, Issue 3, p. 314-325.
The Pap test detects cell changes in the cervix that can be treated, preventing cancer from developing. Regular screening reduced cervical cancer deaths by 70% since 1950. Lesbians may not be adequately screened because of a misperception that they do not need Pap tests. The "Lesbian Health Matters" public and provider education campaign was implemented to address this problem. Paid advertisements were placed on two radio stations and in four newspapers. After one week, both radio stations cancelled the ads due to listener complaints about hearing the word "lesbian" on the radio. The community responded to this discriminatory action by demanding the campaign be completed, creating publicity that increased the campaigns reach to 34% of women in the region. A training program was implemented reaching 219 providers. Thirty-two hundred health providers were surveyed regarding lesbian-friendly practice. A database of 293 providers was created and 120 referrals made. | |
