Reproductive health in lesbian and bisexual women in Sweden.
OBJECTIVE
Previous international studies have elucidated signs of poor physical and mental health in women who have sex with women (WSW) and an avoidance of preventive healthcare. When the first Nordic gynecological clinic for WSW was started in Stockholm in 1999, an opportunity to compile information about their physical and psychological health and social situation arose.


METHODS
Retrospective descriptive.


METHODS
A total of 706 women: 264 patients attending a WSW clinic and 442 women attending the regular gynecological clinic.


METHODS
Questionnaires. Response rate: WSW 77%, comparison group 40%.


METHODS
Possible differences in mental and reproductive health and attendance of preventive healthcare by WSW and heterosexual women.


RESULTS
Having had a male sexual partner was reported by 82.3% of the WSW, 39.5% in the last five years and 4.9% in the last year. One-fifth of WSW had been pregnant, and one in ten had given birth. Equally, many had experience of induced abortion. WSW had less experience of gynecological examination and Papanicolaou smear screening. More than one-fifth of WSW had at some time had sexually transmitted infections (STI) and 12.6% reported a history of cervical atypia. WSW remembered dissatisfaction with their sexual lives during their youth and had more frequently sought professional help for their sexuality.


CONCLUSIONS
WSW attend gynecological examinations to a lesser extent than heterosexual women. The fact that WSW reported having been affected by STI and cervical cell atypia underlines the opinion that they should be advised to attend the same gynecological check-ups and cervical screening programs as heterosexual women.
Moegelin
Lena
L
Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Section of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stockholm, 11860, Sweden. lena.moegelin@sodersjukhuset.se
Nilsson
Bo
B
Helström
Lottie
L
D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D001290:Attitude; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000166:cytology; D003376:Counseling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D020073:Gravidity; D015438:Health Behavior; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008327:Mammography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016387:Women's Health