Health issues for lesbians: Tips to stay healthy

Health issues for lesbians may include substance abuse, obesity and depression. Understand these important health risks and know how to protect yourself.

Lesbians and women who have sex with women are at increased risk of a number of health issues, including substance abuse, obesity and depression — but there are steps lesbians and bisexual women can take to improve their health and well-being. Find out about these important health issues for lesbians and understand ways to promote a healthy lifestyle.

Prevent cancer

Lesbians may have a higher prevalence of risk factors for breast cancer, colon cancer and ovarian cancer than do other women. Potential reasons include higher rates of obesity and alcohol abuse, choosing not to bear children and inconsistent medical care, which may result in lower rates of routine screenings.

Making healthy lifestyle changes — such as maintaining a healthy weight, including physical activity in your daily routine, limiting the amount of alcohol you drink, and seeking routine screenings and health care — may help reduce your risk of cancer.

Prevent obesity

Lesbians are more likely to be overweight or obese than are other women. This may be in part due to different values concerning physical appearance and what's perceived to be attractive or desirable. Overeating may be a form of self-comfort in response to stress, abuse and discrimination. Obesity may also serve as a method of protection from the undesired sexual attention of men.

If you're obese, you're more likely to develop a number of potentially serious health problems — including many types of cancer, gynecologic problems, depression, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. You can take steps to prevent unhealthy weight gain and related health problems. Make a commitment to include physical activity in your daily routine, eat a healthy diet and monitor your weight. If you're struggling to lose weight, ask your doctor for help and support.

Seek help for substance abuse

Alcohol abuse is common among lesbians and bisexual women. Risk factors for lesbian alcohol abuse include:

■Relying on women's bars for socializing and peer support

■Impact of sexism and discrimination

■Stress related to passing as a heterosexual or coming out

■Low self-esteem related to the perception of being different

■Trauma due to bullying, violence, abuse or self-abuse

Women who abuse alcohol are at risk of alcohol-related accidents, fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis, muscle weakness and pain, and osteoporosis. Lesbian and bisexual women who use injectable drugs are at high risk of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS.

If you have a substance abuse problem, remember that help is available. Local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender health, mental health, or community centers often provide substance abuse treatment. Organizations such as the National Association of Lesbian and Gay Addiction Professionals also may provide referrals.

Stop smoking

Lesbians and bisexual women are more likely to smoke than are heterosexual women. Potential reasons include stress, depression and discrimination.

Smokers are more likely to develop disease and die earlier than those who don't smoke. If you smoke, take the first step and decide to quit. Then take advantage of the variety of resources available to help you successfully quit smoking.

Tackle depression


Lesbians and bisexual women may be at higher risk of depression, suicidal thoughts and self-harm. Contributing factors may include social alienation, the threat of or loss of family support, discrimination, abuse, and anti-gay violence. The problem may be more severe for lesbians who remain in the closet, aren't traditionally "feminine," aren't in satisfying relationships or lack social support.

Left untreated, depression may lead to a downward spiral of emotional, behavioral, health, and even legal and financial problems. If you think you may be depressed, talk to your doctor or seek help from a mental health provider. If you're reluctant to seek treatment, confide in a trusted friend or loved one. They can help you take the first steps toward getting treatment.

Recognize domestic violence

Domestic violence can affect lesbians, as well as heterosexuals. You may be experiencing domestic violence if you're in a lesbian relationship with someone who:

■Intimidates you or threatens you with violence

■Tries to keep you from seeing friends or family

■Uses finances to control you

■Threatens to tell friends, family, colleagues or community members your sexual orientation or gender identity

■Tells you that authorities won't help a homosexual, bisexual or transgendered person

■Tells you that leaving the relationship means you're admitting that homosexual relationships are deviant

■Tells you that abuse is a normal part of homosexual relationships or that domestic violence can't occur in homosexual relationships

■Justifies abuse by telling you that you're not "really" homosexual, bisexual or transgender

■Says women can't be violent

■Portrays the violence as mutual and consensual

■Depicts the abuse as part of a sadomasochistic activity

Staying in an abusive relationship may leave you depressed, anxious and hopeless. If you don't want to disclose your sexual orientation, you may be less likely to seek help after an assault. Still, the only way to break the cycle of domestic violence is to take action — the sooner the better. If you're a victim of domestic violence, tell someone about the abuse, whether it's a friend, relative, health care provider or other close contact. Consider calling a domestic violence hot line and creating a plan to leave your abuser.

Protect yourself from HIV/AIDS and STDs

Many lesbians are unaware that certain sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) — such as human papillomavirus (HPV), bacterial vaginosis and trichomonas — can spread between women. Oral sex and sexual behavior involving digital-vaginal or digital-anal contact, particularly with shared penetrative sex toys, can spread infections as well. Female sexual contact is also a possible means of contracting HIV. To protect yourself:

■Get tested and have your partner tested. Don't have unprotected sex unless you're certain you and your partner aren't infected with HIV or other STDs. Testing is important because many people don't know they're infected, and others may not be honest about their health.

■Use protection. During oral sex use a split-open condom, dental dam — a small piece of latex — or plastic wrap. Keep sex toys safe by cleaning them and protecting them with a condom. Don't share sex toys. If you have sex with a male partner, use a new latex or polyurethane condom or dental dam every time you have sex.

■Be monogamous. Stay with one sex partner who has tested negative for HIV and other STDs and who won't have sex with anyone but you.

■Limit the amount of alcohol you drink and don't use drugs. If you're under the influence, you're more likely to take sexual risks. If you choose to use injectable drugs, don't share needles.

■Get vaccinated. Vaccinations can protect you from HPV and the serious liver infections hepatitis A and hepatitis B, which can spread through sexual contact.

■Remain vigilant. Remember, there isn't a cure for HIV/AIDS and many STDs, such as HPV. The best way to stay healthy is to protect yourself.

Seek routine health care

Many lesbians struggle to find a doctor knowledgeable about lesbian health issues and with whom they feel comfortable discussing their needs and concerns. In addition, some lesbians are reluctant to use mainstream health care services — but don't let the stigma associated with homosexuality prevent you from taking charge of your health. Look for a doctor you feel comfortable talking to. Identify yourself as lesbian or bisexual, and ask about routine screenings recommended for women in your age group. If you're not in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship, schedule regular screenings for STDs. Share any other health concerns you may have with your doctor as well. Early diagnosis and treatment is often the key to long-term health.