{"id":57223,"date":"2023-02-17T14:26:31","date_gmt":"2023-02-17T19:26:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=57223"},"modified":"2024-10-25T10:50:54","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T14:50:54","slug":"lgbtq-health-and-wellness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/lgbtq-health-and-wellness\/","title":{"rendered":"LGBTQ+ guide to health and wellness"},"content":{"rendered":"

LGBTQ+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning. It may also describe other non-straight, non-cisgender people. This community of individuals shares many of the same health needs as everyone else. However, some LGBTQ+ people have unique experiences that may require personalized healthcare services.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether you are a member of this community or you care about someone who is, this guide can be a good place to start to find the perfect healthcare team and the solutions available today.<\/span><\/p>\n

Importance of specialized LGBTQ+ care<\/b><\/h2>\n

Healthcare for LGBTQ individuals has a complicated past: At one point, anything other than heterosexuality was labeled a <\/span>diagnosable “illness.”<\/span><\/a> But today, there are specialized care centers that accept LGBTQ+ people as valued members of society with distinctive health and wellness concerns. <\/span><\/p>\n

Despite positive efforts by policymakers and the medical community, there’s still work to be done to provide a welcoming environment for LGBTQ patients of all ages. Although access for LGBTQ individuals has improved, discriminatory attitudes from healthcare providers can compromise the quality of healthcare they receive. In addition, negative past experiences have made some LGBTQ individuals reluctant to seek care, especially when they’ve needed it most. <\/span><\/p>\n

Unique health risks for LGBTQ+ people<\/b><\/h2>\n

Because not all LGBTQ+ people feel comfortable sharing their sexuality or identity with others, they may <\/span>be reluctant to share details of their lives that could affect their health care. However, without a complete understanding of an individual’s life and circumstance<\/span>, healthcare practitioners may not be able to address the unique health challenges they face. <\/span><\/p>\n

One risk that can significantly disrupt an LGBTQ+ person’s life, which may be hard to talk about, is sexual and intimate partner violence.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sexual and intimate partner violence<\/b><\/h3>\n

Any violence between two people in a close relationship counts as intimate partner violence, including physical violence, sexual violence, threats, and emotional abuse. When someone is subjected to sexual activity against their will, it is considered sexual violence. It can include rape or unwanted touching, as well as harassment, taking nude photos, and threats. <\/span><\/p>\n

According to the CDC<\/span><\/a>, bisexual women are disproportionately affected by intimate partner violence, with 61% experiencing sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner at least once in their lifetime compared to 35% of heterosexual women having the same experiences. <\/span><\/p>\n

48% of bisexual women versus 28% of heterosexual women who have been raped experienced their first incident between ages 11 and 17. Additionally, 37% of bisexual women, compared to 16% of heterosexual women, have been stalked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bisexual and gay men are more likely to experience sexual violence other than rape than heterosexual men, with 40% of gay men and 47% of bisexual men being harmed compared to 21% of heterosexual men. <\/span><\/p>\n

Specific health concerns for cisgender gay and bisexual men<\/b><\/h2>\n

Men who have sex with other men have all of the same health risks as the general male population, including heart disease and certain types of cancers. Because of this, men should get regular checkups and be tested for high blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cisgender gay and bisexual men also experience <\/span>elevated risks<\/span><\/a> of the following health issues:<\/span><\/p>\n