Health Matters? Yes it does

We may access our GP for back problems, colds, flu and general things, but we tend not to use them for counselling or any gay specific issues as we can often feel they are ill equipped to deal with our needs or have no wish to deal with them. This affects the way we feel about ourselves and how we think others perceive us, causing low self-esteem and low levels of confidence.  We then put ourselves in risky situations just so that we can feel loved and accepted. Lesbians are often forgotten because they are perceived to have the same issues as women as a whole and therefore their sexuality is never discussed.  Women are also perceived to take better care of themselves than men.

Lesbians and gay men suffer from various kinds of mental health conditions such as anxiety, eating disorders and stress. Some of these can be directly attributed to issues surrounding their sexuality.

Lesbians sometimes get mixed answers as to whether they should have smear tests or not. If their GP knows that they are lesbian, there is an assumption that they do not have penetrative sex and therefore do not need to have a smear test.

Two common myths about lesbians are:

1) Lesbians have never had sex with a man and
2) A woman who has not had sex with a man is not at risk of cervical cancer.

So, the answer to this situation is if you are not offered a routine smear test, you need to ask for one as it is important that you have one regularly, regardless of your sexual orientation.

HIV and STI's

HIV is still very prevalent among gay men. The national gay press and local publications mention HIV on a regular basis and therefore the information provided is readily available to everybody who access' gay venues, both locally and nationally.

The easiest way to get infected with HIV is by having unprotected sexual intercourse (not using a condom) both anally and vaginally. The lining of the rectum is very delicate and is damaged each time you have anal sex.  This makes it easier for the HIV virus to be passed on if your partner is HIV positive. The HIV virus is found in sperm and pre-cum.

The level of risk involved with oral sex is quite often questioned. From a health promotion point of view, you should always use a condom whether you are having anal sex or oral sex. Things that you can do to reduce the risks during oral sex if you do not use a condom are:

• Make sure that you have not just cleaned your teeth as your gums may be delicate and damaged when brushing your teeth,
• Do not have oral sex if you have any ulcers in your mouth,
• Generally make sure that your oral health is sound.

STI's are many and varied and include HIV, NSU (non specific urethritis), gonorrhoea, syphilis, genital warts, herpes, hepatitis A and B, and chlamydia. Some of these infections do not show any symptoms or you may not notice them. If you regularly have different sexual partners, it is advisable to use you local GUM (Genito Urinary Medicine) clinic to have a sexual health screening. If you are in a long-term relationship, it is still advisable to visit your local clinic and for both yourself and your partner to be screened before you make any decisions about safer sex.

To reduce the chance of infection from HIV or any other STI, use a condom and a water based lubricant.
You should also use a condom for oral sex, both man to man or woman to man, or a dental dam for woman to woman or man to woman. A dental dam should be placed over somebody's anus before orally stimulating it.

Lesbians need to be aware that they can pass the wart virus from one to another via their fingers and that this virus has been linked to cervical cancer.  There is also a higher incidence of Bacterial Vaginosis between lesbian women compared to heterosexual women.

It should be remembered that if you have an STI, you are more likely to contract HIV if you put yourself at risk.

This information is basic and more detailed information and screening is available from your local GUM clinic or by phoning the gay men's development worker on 07801 629972.