Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and alternative lifestyle healthcare
It doesn't matter if you identify as gay, bisexual, or a straight person who occasionally has sex with a member of the same gender, you're doctor needs to know about your sexual orientation and sexual practices. Doctors should take a comprehensive sexual history the first time they meet you (number of lifetime partners, history of STDs, sexual practices, sexual dysfunction), but sexual histories are often breezed over or skipped entirely. After an initial assessment, doctors should continue to inquire about sexual activity on a regular basis.
If your doctor hasn't brought up the topic of sex, bring it up yourself., most specifically with your internist or gynecologist (rarely does your ophthalmologist or podiatrist need to know). Unfortunately, most patients are assumed to be "straight" until noted otherwise.
So why does your doctor need to know? Why is it any of his or her business? Because doctors need to know as much as they can about a patient, to deliver the best and most appropriate healthcare possible. If, however, you feel that a physician is asking questions that are too personal or irrelevant, simply ask him why he needs to know.
Let me be very clear to patients and any healthcare professionals who might be reading this. With limited exceptions (like dealing with societal prejudices), simply being gay or lesbian does not increase your risk of developing certain conditions, personal behavior does. Simply being a gay man does not increase your risk of contracting HIV, having unprotected sex does. Simply being a lesbian does not increase your risk of endometrial and breast cancer. Since many lesbians have never gotten pregnant or needed birth control, their risks are increased due to hormonal reasons. To make matters worse, lesbians often avoid routine health screenings because of previous discrimination by healthcare providers.
Why am I stressing seemingly subtle distinctions? Because the aforementioned assumptions enforce stereotypes, and because each patient should be treated on a case by case basis. So while a physician should be aware of your sexual orientation, he should not be blinded by it. He should base his diagnostic tests and treatments on facts, not conjecture.
At the same time, a physician should be nonjudgmental. He should encourage safer sex and lifestyle practices for your mental, physical and emotional well-being, but he should not try to dissuade you from safe, pleasurable, consensual acts between adults. For example, it is perfectly acceptable for your physician to counsel you against having unprotected sex with multiple partners, under the influence of crystal meth. Your doctor should not, however, make you feel guilty for "kinky" sexual practices with your significant other. I would like to think that there are no longer physicians who think that homosexuality can be "cured" or that transgenderism doesn't exist, but it goes without saying, if you encounter a physician with these theories, run!
If your doctor doesn't seem comfortable treating you because of your "alternative lifestyle," find a new doctor! This includes straight couples who practice swinging or "kink." There's no rule that says you have to stay with a physician with whom you do not feel comfortable, or worse, don't avoid getting medical attention, because you don't feel comfortable discussing your sexuality. Unfortunately, resources might be limited in certain areas of the country, but don't stop looking for a doctor until you find the right one. This provider directory from the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association can help.
You must be your own best healthcare advocate! Never accept substandard treatment or discrimination. If you encounter such treatment, report the incident to your healthcare provider's employer, hospital and/or medical licensing board. In the meantime, be sure to check out these Top Ten Issues to Discuss with your Healthcare Provider and get the conversation started!
There are plenty of resources out there! Check out these web sites:
GayHealth.com
Gay.com
lgbthealthchannel
King County Health
TransGenderCare
Intersex Society of North America
If your doctor hasn't brought up the topic of sex, bring it up yourself., most specifically with your internist or gynecologist (rarely does your ophthalmologist or podiatrist need to know). Unfortunately, most patients are assumed to be "straight" until noted otherwise.
So why does your doctor need to know? Why is it any of his or her business? Because doctors need to know as much as they can about a patient, to deliver the best and most appropriate healthcare possible. If, however, you feel that a physician is asking questions that are too personal or irrelevant, simply ask him why he needs to know.
Let me be very clear to patients and any healthcare professionals who might be reading this. With limited exceptions (like dealing with societal prejudices), simply being gay or lesbian does not increase your risk of developing certain conditions, personal behavior does. Simply being a gay man does not increase your risk of contracting HIV, having unprotected sex does. Simply being a lesbian does not increase your risk of endometrial and breast cancer. Since many lesbians have never gotten pregnant or needed birth control, their risks are increased due to hormonal reasons. To make matters worse, lesbians often avoid routine health screenings because of previous discrimination by healthcare providers.
Why am I stressing seemingly subtle distinctions? Because the aforementioned assumptions enforce stereotypes, and because each patient should be treated on a case by case basis. So while a physician should be aware of your sexual orientation, he should not be blinded by it. He should base his diagnostic tests and treatments on facts, not conjecture.
At the same time, a physician should be nonjudgmental. He should encourage safer sex and lifestyle practices for your mental, physical and emotional well-being, but he should not try to dissuade you from safe, pleasurable, consensual acts between adults. For example, it is perfectly acceptable for your physician to counsel you against having unprotected sex with multiple partners, under the influence of crystal meth. Your doctor should not, however, make you feel guilty for "kinky" sexual practices with your significant other. I would like to think that there are no longer physicians who think that homosexuality can be "cured" or that transgenderism doesn't exist, but it goes without saying, if you encounter a physician with these theories, run!
If your doctor doesn't seem comfortable treating you because of your "alternative lifestyle," find a new doctor! This includes straight couples who practice swinging or "kink." There's no rule that says you have to stay with a physician with whom you do not feel comfortable, or worse, don't avoid getting medical attention, because you don't feel comfortable discussing your sexuality. Unfortunately, resources might be limited in certain areas of the country, but don't stop looking for a doctor until you find the right one. This provider directory from the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association can help.
You must be your own best healthcare advocate! Never accept substandard treatment or discrimination. If you encounter such treatment, report the incident to your healthcare provider's employer, hospital and/or medical licensing board. In the meantime, be sure to check out these Top Ten Issues to Discuss with your Healthcare Provider and get the conversation started!
There are plenty of resources out there! Check out these web sites:
GayHealth.com
Gay.com
lgbthealthchannel
King County Health
TransGenderCare
Intersex Society of North America
Tags: alternative, bisexual, gay, healthcare, intersex, kink, lesbian, lifestyles, swinging, trangender
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Comment by partner11 on February 18, 2009 at 1:31am - Seems that the population self-identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) becomes more and more. According to my experience on the site *BiLoves dotcom* (a site for coming out, explore sexuality, etc.), there are about 150 members per day and they are very active. You can imagine.If you come here frequently, you may find what you are looking easily and quickly.
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