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We are happy to be your medical home! We welcome all people regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, education, or ability. We have identified a list of common health concerns for bisexuals and encourage you to discuss them with your provider.  Not all of these issues will apply to everyone, but it is good to be aware of them.

• Come Out to your Healthcare Provider - This should prompt discussion of healthcare topics important to you. If you feel your provider is not comfortable caring for you as a bisexual, find another provider. You deserve inclusive care. Be honest about your partners at each visit as it affects the screening tests offered to you.
• HIV/AIDS - Be sure you are aware of how to protect yourself, how to get tested, what to do if you test positive, and what to do right away if you are possibly exposed to HIV (called post-exposure prophylaxis). Discuss options for prevention with your provider (called pre-exposure prophylaxis).
• Hepatitis - People who have sex with multiple partners of any gender are more likely to contract the virus that causes hepatitis, a serious liver infection that can be fatal itself or can cause liver cancer.  Get vaccinated for hepatitis A and hepatitis B, two of the three common types.  Safe sex can reduce the chance of getting hepatitis.  Get tested for hepatitis C – there are effective treatments to get rid of it.
• Fitness - Body image problems and eating disorders are common for bisexuals.  Too much exercise can be harmful, and substances like anabolic steroids are always dangerous.  Obesity can cause diabetes and high blood pressure and is related to heart attack and stroke.
• Alcohol and Drugs - According to the CDC, bisexuals use these at a higher rate than the general population. There are potential long-term effects of ALL substances. Too much alcohol may cause people to treat themselves or others badly or to drive unsafely. If drug or alcohol use interferes with work, school or relationships, ask your healthcare provider to connect you to help.
• Depression and Anxiety - These problems appear to affect bisexuals at a higher rate than the general population, often the result of social isolation, family rejection or discrimination. This is especially a concern for adolescents and those who remain in the closet or don’t have enough social support, or for those who have lost emotional support because of their orientation.
• STI - Sexually transmitted infections (STI) don’t always have symptoms. Safe sex is key to reducing the risk of receiving or transmitting infections. Some STIs are curable with medication (syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, pubic lice) and some are not (HIV, hepatitis, HPV, herpes). The more partners you have, the more often you should be tested.
• Cancers - It is important for bisexuals to have culturally sensitive care so they can be tested for cancers that affect the general population.
• Tobacco - Bisexuals use tobacco at higher rates than the general population, and so are at risk for tobacco-related health problems like lung disease, lung cancer, heart disease, and more. If you use tobacco, ask about programs to help you stop.
• HPV - This sexually transmitted virus is extremely contagious and causes warts and cervical, vulvar, vaginal, oral and anal cancer. Again, safe sex is key to reducing infections. Get vaccinated and ask about testing. Some treatments are available although HPV infection can recur.

Our thanks to the Gay Lesbian Medical Association.

We are happy to be your medical home! We welcome all people regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, education, or ability. We have identified a list of common health concerns for bisexuals and encourage you to discuss them with your provider.  Not all of these issues will apply to everyone, but it is good to be aware of them.

• Come Out to your Healthcare Provider - This should prompt discussion of healthcare topics important to you. If you feel your provider is not comfortable caring for you as a gay man, find another provider. You deserve inclusive care. Be honest about your partners at each visit as it affects the screening tests offered to you.
• HIV/AIDS - Be sure you are aware of how to protect yourself, how to get tested, what to do if you test positive, and what to do right away if you are possibly exposed to HIV (called post-exposure prophylaxis). Discuss options for prevention with your provider (called pre-exposure prophylaxis).
• Hepatitis - Men who have sex with men are more likely to contract the virus that causes hepatitis, a serious liver infection that can be fatal itself or can cause liver cancer.  Get vaccinated for hepatitis A and hepatitis B, two of the three common types.  Safe sex can reduce the chance of getting hepatitis.  Get tested for hepatitis C – there are effective treatments to get rid of it.
• Fitness - Body image problems and eating disorders are common for gay men.  Too much exercise can be harmful, and substances like anabolic steroids are always dangerous.  Obesity can cause diabetes and high blood pressure and is related to heart attack and stroke.
• Alcohol and Drugs - According to the CDC, gay men use these at a higher rate than the general population. There are potential long-term effects of ALL substances. Too much alcohol may cause people to treat themselves or others badly or to drive unsafely. If drug or alcohol use interferes with work, school or relationships, ask your healthcare provider to connect you to help.
• Depression and Anxiety - These problems appear to affect gay men at a higher rate than the general population, often the result of social isolation, family rejection or discrimination. This is especially a concern for adolescents and those who remain in the closet or don’t have enough social support, or for those who have lost emotional support because of their orientation.
• STI - Because gay men tend to have more sexual partners, sexually transmitted infections (STI) occur at a higher rate in gay men. STI don’t always have symptoms. Safe sex is key to reducing the risk of receiving or transmitting infections. Some STIs are curable with medication (syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, pubic lice) and some are not (HIV, hepatitis, HPV, herpes). The more partners you have, the more often you should be tested.
• Cancers - It is important for gay men to have culturally sensitive care so they can be tested for cancers that affect the general population like prostate, testicular and colon cancer.
• Tobacco - Gay men use tobacco at higher rates than the general population, and so are at risk for tobacco-related health problems like lung disease, lung cancer, heart disease, and more. If you use tobacco, ask about programs to help you stop.
• HPV - This sexually transmitted virus is extremely contagious and causes warts but also causes an increase in anal cancer in men who have sex with men. Again, safe sex is key to reducing infections.  Ask about testing with anal Pap smears. Some treatments are available although HPV infection can recur.
• Intimate Partner Violence - Can affect gay men just like the general population, but gay men are often not asked about domestic violence. Help is available.

Our thanks to the Gay Lesbian Medical Association.

We are happy to be your medical home! We welcome all people regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, education, or ability. We have identified a list of common health concerns for lesbians and encourage you to discuss them with your provider. Not all of these issues will apply to everyone, but it is good to be aware of them.

• Come Out to your Healthcare Provider - This should prompt discussion of healthcare topics important to you. If you feel your provider is not comfortable caring for you as a lesbian, find another provider. You deserve inclusive care.
• Breast Cancer - Lesbians are more likely to have risk factors for breast cancer but are less likely to have mammograms. This means that cancer may be diagnosed at a later stage when it is less curable.
• Gynecological (Gyn) Cancer - Lesbians have higher risks for certain GYN cancers, so regular pelvic exams and pap tests are important to find cancer earlier when it is more likely to be cured.
• Depression or Anxiety - These problems appear to affect lesbians at a higher rate than the general population, often the result of social isolation, family rejection or discrimination. This is especially a concern for adolescents and those who remain in the closet or don’t have enough social support, or for those who have lost emotional support because of their orientation.
• Heart Health - Smoking and obesity are the biggest risk factors for heart disease among lesbians. Yearly medical exams for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes are recommended.
• Fitness - Research shows that lesbians are more likely to be overweight or obese compared to straight women. Obesity is related to cancer, heart disease and earlier death. Ask for help to increase your fitness and keep your weight in a healthy range.
• Smoking - Research shows that lesbians are more likely to use tobacco. Even social tobacco use can lead to addiction. Smoking causes cancer, heart disease and lung disease – the three most common causes of death for women!
• Alcohol - Research shows that lesbians are more likely to binge drink or drink heavily. This raises your risk for liver disease, cancer, and other problems. Too much alcohol may cause people to treat themselves or others badly and makes driving unsafe.
• Drugs - Research shows that lesbians use drugs more often than straight women, possibly due to stress from discrimination. Support for coping and stress reduction can help.
• Intimate Partner Violence - Can affect lesbians just like the general population, but lesbians are often not asked about domestic violence. Counseling and shelters are available.
• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) - Lesbians get the same STI as heterosexual women and can give or receive infections by skin-to-skin contact, mucus membrane contact, vaginal fluids, and menstrual blood. The more sex partners, the higher the chance of STIs. Lesbians should be screened for STIs by a health care provider.

Our thanks to the Gay Lesbian Medical Association.

We are happy to be your medical home! We welcome all people regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, education, or ability. We have identified a list of common health concerns for transgender persons and encourage you to discuss them with your provider. Not all of these issues will apply to everyone, but it is good to be aware of them.

Access to Healthcare - It can be difficult to find a healthcare provider who knows how to treat transgender people, and insurance may not pay for transgender treatment. If you feel your provider is not comfortable caring for you, find another provider. You deserve inclusive care. It is important for you to be able to trust your healthcare provider.

Health History - Tell your provider about the medicines you have taken and surgeries you may have had. Knowing about your history allows your provider to give you the best treatment today.

Hormones - If you are starting hormones for the first time, ask what you need to watch for. Transgender women should ask about estrogen and blood clots, swelling, blood pressure and blood sugar. Transgender men should ask about blood tests to know if their testosterone dose is safe. Take ONLY the hormones prescribed by your provider.

Heart Health - Transgender persons may be at higher risk for heart attack or stroke for several reasons such as hormone use, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. Sometimes transgender persons hide symptoms like chest pain or trouble breathing because they are afraid they may have to stop hormone treatments. Be sure to tell your provider about symptoms you may have.

Cancer - Your provider should check you for cancer in your sex organs if they have not been removed. It is rare to develop cancer from hormone therapy, but your provider will check you for this as well.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) - Just like anyone else, transgender people can get STIs. STIs don’t always have symptoms. Safe sex is key to reducing the risk of receiving or transmitting infections. Some STIs are curable with medication (syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, pubic lice) and some are not (HIV, hepatitis, HPV, herpes). The more sex partners you have, the greater the chance of getting STIs.

Alcohol - Binge drinking or heavy drinking can damage the liver or other organs. Too much alcohol may cause people to treat themselves or others badly or to drive unsafely. Alcohol and hormones may be more dangerous when taken together.

Smoking - Many transgender people smoke cigarettes, increasing their risk for heart and lung disease, especially when taking hormones. Don’t smoke or ask for help quitting.

Depression - It is very easy for transgender persons to be sad or depressed. Family or friends may distance themselves. Even after transition, depression can still be a problem. Depression can interfere with making good choices or can cause people to harm themselves. Talk with your provider about your feelings. Many good treatments are available for depression, including therapy and medications.

Silicone - Some transgender women want the “instant curves” that can come from injectable silicone. The silicone sold at “pumping parties” by non-medical persons can move around inside your body and cause ugly scars years later. It may be contaminated and is often injected using a shared needle which can cause hepatitis or HIV. Silicone is dangerous and should not be used.

Fitness - Keeping a healthy body weight and exercising regularly (at least 20 minutes per day for three days per week) are important for everyone, including transgender people.

Our thanks to the Gay Lesbian Medical Association.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health
LGBTQ Wellness Fact Sheets
LGBTQ Mental Health Issues (mental health especially teens and young adults)
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis)