Our community often finds itself avoiding some important health issues, especially for women. Too often, we assume that since we do not need contraceptive services we can ignore the importance of regular visits to the gynecologist. What should you know about your health? What issues do you need to discuss with your doctor or care provider? How is your overall health and how does your sexuality impact your health?

First, find a queer friendly gynecologist or health care provider. For many women, a family practitioner or even a nurse practitioner at your local Planned Parenthood office may be a better option than a traditional gynecologist. Whoever you choose to provide your health care should be queer friendly and understanding of the special concerns of the lesbian community. Do be prepared to advocate for yourself.

The tests you regularly need will vary depending upon your age, special health concerns and sexual behavior. You should keep in mind that while the risk of STD transmission for lesbians is lower than for heterosexual women, it is not nonexistent. Gay.com/health offers an easy breakdown of possible STD risks. Women in committed relationships or those who religiously practice safer sex with their partners may feel comfortable without STD testing. You should be comfortable discussing your sexual behavior with your health care provider so the two of you can best assess which tests should be a part of your regular care.

Breast and cervical cancer screenings should occur as recommended by your health care provider, ideally annually. Keep in mind that regular screenings are critical for early cancer detection and the best chance of successful treatment. The frequency of pap smears and breast cancer exams will depend on your personal health history, age and other factors. It can be easy to skip regular exams, especially without the need for contraception; however, establishing care with a trusted provider and having screenings as appropriate is critical to overall good health. Both health care providers and patients are guilty of assuming that the lack of male sexual partners eliminates the risk of cervical dysplasia and thus the need for routine pap testing. More information on cancer screening for lesbians and other queer women can be found at temenos.net.

Some information indicates that women who have primarily had female sexual partners may be at higher risk for breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancers. This is an individual issue, related not to sexual behavior but rather to pregnancy and the use of oral contraceptives. Certain behavioral issues in the lesbian community can contribute to health risks. These include higher rates of smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and obesity. Again, your personal risk factors for these issues may be low, but they should be considered when seeking out health care.

You likely could not have missed recent news in the mainstream press and gay community about MRSA, specifically the new strain MRSA USA300. In the last couple of weeks, stories have splashed everything from the New York Times to Newsweek about the spread of MRSA among gay men. This new strain of Staphylococcus Aureus is antibiotic resistant, and gay men appear to be some 13 times more likely to be infected with this form of the bacteria in one community in San Francisco.  It is important to note that there are a number of risk factors for infection, including recent hospitalization, sharing towels or athletic equipment, a weakened immune system, or associating with health care workers. MRSA also thrives in close living conditions, and it should be noted that this is true of the community where the initial study occurred. Similar studies of groups in close physical contact, including football players, have shown a higher incidence of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections. Unfortunately, the early press release brought about not only panic in the gay community, but also a significant amount of anti-gay press.

The official study that caused all this uproar can be found at annals.org. While the study does not jump to any significant conclusions, the media did, ranging from calling MRSA the “new HIV” to linking it with anal intercourse.

What is MRSA? MRSA stands for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, further clarified as hospital acquired (HA-MRSA) and community acquired (CA-MRSA).  First and foremost, it should be clarified that antibiotic resistant bugs have been around, and are becoming more prevalent in all walks of life, and all communities regardless of sexual orientation. Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacterium that normally lives on the skin and in the nasal passages. This infection can produce symptoms ranging from a simple skin abscess or lesions to cellulitis and even death. While many bacteria produce infections, the primary concern with MRSA is that very few antibiotics are effective, and in the case of new strains even fewer drugs may be available to treat these complex infections. For more information on the specifics about MRSA, see the mayoclinic.com site.

That said, what does this mean for you? What should you be doing to protect yourself? The simple fact is that MRSA can be spread through skin to skin contact of any sort.  Moreover, staph infections of the skin often occur in moist areas, including the buttocks and groin. This is entirely unrelated to actual sexual contact. Prevention is not so hard really. Use good hygiene. Wash your hands regularly. If you do have a skin infection, or a partner does, seek treatment quickly and request that skin lesions be cultured before beginning treatment so they can be treated appropriately.  Really, though, these are not tips relevant to gay men, but to everyone who uses a gym, might have children in daycare, or have lunch with a health care provider.