Actually, no. Here are a few things every lesbian should know about their health: The medical community should take the lead by learning sensitive ways of asking necessary medical questions and building trust with all patients. It’s essential for everyone to find a health care provider with whom you feel completely comfortable. Not just the health care provider, but the entire office staff should be welcoming and receptive. From a medical standpoint, if a doctor knows whether a patient is gay, straight, or another sexual orientation, the doctor can be more sensitive and thorough with follow-up questions. For example, if the doctor knows you’re a lesbian, she won’t ask if your boyfriend wore a condom during sexual intercourse. In that case, the conversation might shift to questions like “Do you share sex toys? Do you use dental dams for protection against STIs?” If you don’t feel comfortable disclosing your sexual identity with your current doctor, it’s worth researching a LGBTQ+ friendly and specifically lesbian-friendly gyno or doctor in your area to make sure you’re able to get the care you need and deserve. The issues of having fertility treatments covered by insurance companies vary between countries, states, and different health plans. Some insurance companies, for example, will only define “infertility” as “unprotected sex for at least a year,” which often references penis-in-vagina sex only and excludes lesbians. Others will cover insemination but not the sperm. Regardless of sexual orientation, the first step in the lengthy, confusing and costly process of fertility treatments is finding the right doctor who will deliver equitable and complete health care. Given these increased health risks, lesbian patients need to feel comfortable disclosing their sexual orientation. Regardless of your sexual orientation, safer sex practices should always be discussed and encouraged to reduce the risk of getting or receiving STIs and HIV. For lesbian and bisexual women, safer sex includes condoms for sex toys, gloves for fisting, and dental dams for oral sex. It is not recommended to share sex toys and dildos. Having sex with other women still puts you at risk for STIs, including bacterial vaginosis, candidiasis, herpes and the human papillomavirus infections (HPV), which increase the risk for abnormal Pap smears. The Pap smear tests for a variety of sexually transmitted infections, and it’s also used to detect cervical pre-cancer or cancer cells. We know cervical cancer is directly related to the number of sexually transmitted diseases you may have, which typically puts lesbians at a lower risk. However, many lesbians have been sexually active with men in their past. One study involving 6,000 lesbians found that 77% have had sex with men in their past and 70% report a lifetime history of vaginal intercourse. Another thing to consider: Having a history of one normal Pap smear doesn’t mean you’ll never have to get a pap again. A case in point is the human papilloma virus (HPV), for which lesbians are at risk. It can show up on future Pap smears as causing pre-cancer cells. Below are the current guidelines for Pap testing4. That said, there may be more barriers to receiving comprehensive care, so it’s important to do your research and find team of doctors who can help and support you care for your health long-term.
