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Lesbian health

University of Toronto, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Toronto, M4N 3H7, Canada. Email: vdavis{at}organon.ca

Despite tremendous progress in women's health care, there is a paucity of literature and little emphasis or funding for research on health and the lesbian woman. Lesbians are frequently an invisible subset in a physician's practice and, if the sexual practices of an individual are unknown or assumed, medical management may be compromised. Physicians' attitudes, especially homophobia or heterosexism, can affect the care of their patients. With education on sexuality, sensitivity skills that promote bias-free histories and full disclosure can be achieved. Once a woman's sexual orientation is known, her care can be appropriately modified only if the physician has knowledge about lesbian culture and lifestyle in order to take an appropriate sexual history. Education and enlightenment of attitudes toward sexuality among healthcare providers is the first step towards improving care for lesbian patients. Next is research to identify the preventive healthcare needs within this group of women. This article reviews the current literature surrounding issues involved with the care of lesbian patients.

Keywords Keywords / lesbian women / healthcare / physician attitude