Gay Health: Health Concerns for the Homosexual Individual
Sexual Orientation in person who has an attraction to another of the same sex is called a homosexuality. A person with homosexual orientation is called gay (for both men and women) or lesbian (specifically for gay women). But, commonly, gay is used for "homosexual male" and lesbian for a "homosexual female". Homosexuals of both sexes have similar issues to deal with but the health issues involved are more serious and more widespread among the male community due to reasons discussed later.
The gay community, by virtue of their sexual behaviors, is more prone for certain diseases and health issues. This can range from simple "rashes" to HIV infection, from smoking to drug abuse. In order to cater to the health needs of the gay community, there are few dedicated associations like the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) and such. Health care should equally available to every individual without bias and things are improving though there is still much that need to be done in this regard.
We shall now proceed to address briefly about few important health issues that a gay individual needs to be aware of. It must be remembered that in the 1980s when HIV infection was discovered, in the humans it was particularly restricted to the gay community! It was then considered as a "curse of the homosexual" which was later proved wrong. But, it’s an undeniable fact that prevalence of HIV infection is high among homosexuals. This is expected since sexual activities among homosexuals like unsafe or unprotected anal sex is common and is high risk sexual behavior. Awareness about HIV infection and prevention and safety precautions needs to be stressed especially among the male gay community. Among women, HIV infection spread is less likely though NOT ruled out because all that is required is direct contact with infected body fluids for the infection to spread.
Another viral infection of concern is hepatitis. Hepatitis A spreads via oro-faecal route (mouth-to-rear route) and rimming (oro-anal sexual practice) is a risk for the spread of Hepatitis A. Hepatitis B spreads sexually like HIV infection but is more infectious than HIV infection. Hepatitis C is also similar in transmission. One issue with hepatitis B and C is that they can cause cancer in the long run especially hepatitis C. There are vaccines available against Hepatitis B which can be used. This vaccine also offers some (though NOT complete) protection against hepatitis C infection too. In spite of the wide prevalence of hepatitis and increase in the infection rates among the gay community, there is lack of awareness about the vaccine which needs to change.
Genital, oral and skin warts are common, more common than what one can imagine. These warts are also caused by viruses and are infectious. It can range from mild elevated areas to large disfiguring lesions. Anal, oral and genital warts are all common in the gay community. The warts are always a problem and complete removal/cure is tricky and very difficult, since the virus resides in nerve tissue and reactivates often. Safe protected sex and avoiding direct contact with the warts is the only way to prevent infection.
Gonorrhea, though said to be less common in developed countries, there is an alarming increase among homosexuals. Gonorrhea, luckily is a bacterial disease and can be effectively prevented and/or treated with penicillin or the alternative newer drugs (if allergic to penicillin). Gonorrhea though is a disease of the "genitals", can occur in throat, mouth and palate due to the ore-genital sexual practices.
If such infections are of concern, in one way, there are few others like alcoholism, drug abuse, smoking, gay-bashing and such that are also more prevalent among the gay individuals. Alcohol, smoking and drugs are common in the gay-bars. Alcoholism and smoking has been found to be a higher risk factor for cancers than when one takes only alcohol or only smokes. The next "largely unreported" but very significant issue is the "gay-bashing"- violence against the gay individual.
Even though scientific evidence exists to assert that having a "gay" tendency is NOT a mental disorder or illness, there is still stigma associated about the "gay" communality. Fears and misunderstandings rule the roost, surprisingly, even in this modern age of information revolution! The societal stigma, fears, misunderstandings, taunts from peers and the consequent low self esteem are all risk factors for depression, mental breakdown and require psychological intervention. Gay individual being "sidelined" by the "straight" community can be depressing to the "homosexuals". This can be one cause for the low self-esteem that is most commonly prevalent among the gays.
"Prevention is better than cure"-cannot be stressed any lesser. The use of rubber dam, condoms when practicing any and every sexual practice can prevent most of the sexually transmitted disease. If the latex taste is a deterrent, there are newer flavored condoms available! Awareness and self-esteem building activities, involvement of like-minded groups in constructive and supportive roles, and counseling of the family to accept the sexual orientation of their son/daughter is all essential for the total well-being of a homosexual individual. Vaccination, safe sexual practices, regular health check ups and efforts to increase the self-esteem outline the path for a healthy lifestyle among the gay communities.
