232541 Obstetric and gynecologic issues for sexual minority women

Tuesday, November 9, 2010 : 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Patricia Robertson, MD , Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Academy of Medical Educators Academy Chair, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
This presentation will highlight obstetric and gynecologic issues for self-identified lesbians. Approximately 16% of lesbians have biologically borne children, while other lesbians choose parenting through foster placement, adoption, or as a co-parent. Obstetrics issues discussed will include modes of getting pregnant most often chosen by lesbians, issues of advanced maternal age as lesbians are often older compared to heterosexual women when they become pregnant. Gynecologic issues for lesbians will be discussed including sexually transmitted infections such as Human Papilloma virus and Chlamydia, as well as the role of mammograms and the clinical breast exam for lesbians since lesbians have a higher incidence of breast cancer compared to heterosexual women. The role of psychosocial issues for lesbians such as interpersonal violence, history of sexual abuse, and acceptance of their lesbian orientation by family on their overall health will also be explored.

Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Basic medical science applied in public health
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Protection of the public in relation to communicable diseases including prevention or control
Public health or related education

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify different methods of achieving pregnancy by lesbians. 2. Identify two sexually transmitted infections that can be shared through sexual activity between women. 3. Acknowledge the impact of psychosocial issues which lesbians frequently experience on their overall health.

Keywords: Reproductive Health, Lesbian Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am director of medical student education in my department and one of 22 founding members of the Academy of Medical Educators at UCSF. I am also the Co-Director of the Center for Lesbian Health Research and work with the faculty of the Center in the areas of access to care, treatment of depression, and prevention of substance use.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4318.0: Best practices in lesbian health (joint sponsored session between the Women's Caucus and LGBT Caucus)