Women’s Health Homework
· Students please go to http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/
1. Smokers who want to quit at http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/resources/show_res.cfm?ID=44036
2. Sleep apnea at http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/resources/show_res.cfm?ID=44030
3. Mindful eating at http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/resources/show_res.cfm?ID=44028
4. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome at http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/resources/show_res.cfm?ID=44027
5. High Blood Pressure at http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/resources/show_res.cfm?ID=44024
6. Heart Disease at http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/resources/show_res.cfm?ID=44023
7. Menopause at http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/resources/show_res.cfm?ID=44018
8. Promoting Pap Tests for Queer Women and Trans Men at http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/resources/show_res.cfm?id=44012
9. Domestic Abuse look out at http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/resources/show_res.cfm?ID=44006
10. Why men matter preventing abuse against women at http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/resources/show_res.cfm?ID=44001
Instructions-
· Please read one feature article from the above list.
· Discuss main points
· Discuss any possible recommendations or solutions given in the article
· Share the information with someone you think needs to hear this message: Give name, age and relationship to you.
· Discuss your observations about sharing this information-
· This exercise should take one page
· Post your assignment on our blog
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I selected the article on promoting pap tests for queer women and trans men to write on for this assignment. The main point of the article was to stress the importance of trans men and queer women to get pap tests. Studies have found that women who have sex with women are far less likely to go and get a pap test. One survey found that 77% of heterosexual women and 76% of bisexual women received pap tests, compared to 64% of lesbian women. A survey done in Ontario with trans men, found that "62% of the respondents never receive pap tests, and 13% reported occasionally getting the test done." When asked why they did not receive pap tests, the respondents cited the following; "receiving a hysterectomy, transphobia in health care, doctors informing them they were at low risk if they were only having sex with women, and associated pelvic exams with physical and emotional distress." It is greatly important that queer women and trans men receive pap tests, as they are able to detect early indicators of cervical cancer, which can allow for preventative measures. Also, women who have sex with women are also at risk for STDs/STIs. HPV for example, "has been reported in women who have never had sex with men, and can be spread by genital skin-to-skin contact, which can include fingers, sex toys and oral sex."
ReplyDeleteI feel that a major problem for the LGBTQ community, is homophobia and transphobia in the medical field. As it was stated in the article, little research has been done on women who have sex with women, the same can be said for men who have sex with men. LGBTQ people are frequently not given information on safe sex practices whether it be in hospitals, clinics, or sex education programs. When it comes to safe sex, our society has focused almost exclusively on heterosexual vaginal and oral sex (I excluded anal intercourse because I feel that it is still viewed as an exclusively homosexual male act by much of society). The resources about safe sex and sexual health for LGBTQ people are few and far between. Discrimination and bigotry also make people in this community fearful of being harassed and humiliated for being open with who they are in receiving health care. If we are to improve quality of life for LGBTQ people, we need to make the health care field sensitive to our needs. Stereotypes and discrimination have no place in any field, especially medical. Health care providers need to be trained in health issues for LGBTQ people, educate health care providers on what it really means to be LGBTQ, provide a safe and welcoming environment for LGBTQ people seeking medical care, make safe sex practices and contraception for LGBTQ (and heterosexual) people more available, include LGBTQ sexuality in sex education programs, and provide accurate medical information for LGBTQ individuals. People should not have to be afraid or humiliated to be who they are anywhere, especially when receiving medical attention or inquiring about sexual health and safe sex. This is something I really want to advocate for, I refuse to let my community (or any) be denied medical care, afraid to seek care, or given inaccurate information, which can lead to poor health, disease contraction or worse, because our medical professionals are plagued with outdated stereotypes and misconceptions about LGBTQ people.
I do not have a specific person, I would encourage all women and pre-op/no-op trans men to receive pap tests in order to maintain good health.
http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/resources/show_res.cfm?id=44012