10 questions to discuss with your doctor

Medical Gay and Lesbian Community made up a list of questions which lesbians should discuss with their doctors. Here they are:

1. Breast Cancer

Lesbians are more likely to suffer from this disease. The statistics shows, that lesbians suffer from breast cancer more often than heterosexual women. Moreover, the majority of homosexual women over 40 dont usually have a screening mammogram. But they should have it at least once every two years. They should also self-exam their breast. These simple procedures can considerably reduce risk of breast cancer and prevent it developing on early stage. Consulting good specialist just in time can save your health and life.

2. Depression and qualms

According to some researches, lesbians always feel stress. Usually it happens because of societys homophobia. Many of lesbians have to hide their sexual orientation from their relatives and co-workers. This results in emotional stress. They dream of coming out, but sometimes they dont have heart to do it or some circumstances do not allow them to accomplish this. This way they lose moral support or any other kind of support from close people. Of course, its difficult to live in such conditions.

Statistics shows that there are more suicide cases among homosexuals. So, if you really care for your emotional state, do not worry over every little thing and eat more chocolate. If you seriously trouble about emotional problems, visit your psychiatrist. Spend more time with close people, who understand and love you as you are! This will treat you from any kind of stress.

3.Genital cancer

Unfortunately, the risk of having genital cancer is higher among gay women than among heterosexual ones. Thats why visiting gynecologist every year is vitally important for every woman. Such kind of gynecological examination helps to determinate early oncological diseases. The examination shows general state of genitals and diagnoses STDs infection.

4.Sport and physical activity

Surveys have proved that lesbians usually weight more than straight women. Stress and depression often provoke gaining weight. This can lead to obeseness, but this raises risk of cardiac diseases and premature death. Its better to consult good dietitian and fitness coach.
Following their advice will make you be always in good spirits and lead healthy life-style.

5.Drug consumption

According to the statistic data, heterosexual women take drugs not so often as homosexual do. Social pressure affects lesbians emotional state. They begin looking for different ways of escaping of it. Drugs and alcohol help them to overcome constant stress. Frankly speaking, drugs can hardly be a good stress remedy. Friends support and favorable doctor in charge of the case, good rest and psychologists consultation are the best remedies.

6. Smoking

As for smoking, lesbians also take the lead over heterosexual women in it. They use smoking as a mode of communication. They also try to overcome a strain on the nerves while smoking. Actually women smokers soon become cigarette-addicted. Smoking among women causes many health problems. Very often this bad habit results in variety of cancers: mouth cancer, throat cancer, larynx and many other negative after-effects. Moreover, smoking leads to heart diseases, and raises the risk of malignant growths as well. These fatal consequences are the most widespread causes of female death.

7. Alcohol

Drinking a glass of wine a day is useful for heart activity and prevents osteoporosis. But big doses of alcohol are harmful for men and women, heterosexuals and homosexuals. There is a big list of diseases caused by swill. Any person should moderate his or her drinking. It means that one should drink small amounts of alcohol and control this process. Rates of alcohol problems are higher among lesbians. The cause is the same lack of tolerance from society.

8. Home violence

According to researches, cases of home violence take place in 11 per cent of lesbian families. Just for reference, home violence in heterosexual families was indexed two times as much (22% of families). Its important to know, that both victim and aggressive partner need psychological help. You should remember that concealing this problem leads to nothing. So, the partners should try to settle the matter together by discussing reasons of aggression. If this method doesnt give positive results, the couple should apply to professional help.

9. Osteoporosis

There is no information about lesbians who grade higher risk group, but the problem of osteoporosis is actual for all women. The main preventive measures are:

-eating products with high concentration of calcium
-weight control
-tobacco and alcohol moderation

Its also advisable to exam bony tissue once in several years. It will help to diagnose disease and prevent high bones fragility in time.

10. Heart diseases

Smoking and extra weight increase the risk of heart troubles. To prevent this, you should have cardio examination and measure your blood pressure, total cholesterin, as well as diagnose diabetes.

After examination you can discuss your life style correction with your doctor. The heart trouble prevention should be top-priority task when visiting your doctor. Remember, cardio diseases cause 45% of female deaths.

There is no doubt, that lesbians and heterosexual womens health problems are the same. However, some subjects sex health, family planning and some others need special approach.
Lesbians should take care of their health more attentively and not to neglect it. But its, actually, the problem of entire society, because homosexuals are an equal part of it.