Gay Black Men’s Pressure to Conform Leads to Higher HIV Risk

Familial and cultural pressure to conform to expected masculine behaviors leads gay black men to engage in riskier behavior, therefore increasing their risk of contracting HIV. This is according to a report out of the John’s Hopkins Children’s Center and published in Science Daily. This community of men feel distress and social isolation, according to the report, which may contribute to their decision to take part in such behaviors. The “compensatory” behavior according to researchers leads to riskier behavior and contributes to the higher infection rate among gay black men.

Gay and bisexual black men attributed to 4,800 new HIV cases in 2010, more than two times that of other male groups, says the CDC. Thirty five young, male participants took part in this study, recently published in the American Journal of Public Health. Openly gay and bisexual men took part in this study, as did young men who have sexual relations with men but don’t self-identify as gay or bi-sexual, also known as MSM. Adolescent medicine expert at the John’s Hopkins Children’s Center and the study’s lead author, Errol Fields, M.D., Ph.D., said of this study, “HIV risk is the sum total of many factors, but social and family stress is a well-known driver of all types of risk-taking behaviors, and our findings clearly support the notion this also holds true when it comes to HIV risk.”

There is a very traditional view of masculinity with strong anti-gay sentiment in the community where the participants grew up. These participants needed to prove their masculinity, hide homosexuality, and conform to social pressures. This makes them far less likely to take part in monogamous relationships and more likely to take part in unprotected sex. Black gay men also sought affirmation through sex which they weren’t getting from a close loved one in their life. Some also said that having unprotected sex showed trust and love for one’s partner. Since the community they were from expected them to act aggressive and free of any feminine behaviors, they were forced to either conform or be ostracized. Drug use, drinking, fighting and other such risky behavior was taken part in so as to prove their masculinity and fit in.

According to Dr. Fields, “The findings of our study reveal a clear clash between internal sexual identity and external expectations at a critical developmental stage,” As a result, “This clash creates loneliness and low self-esteem and appears to drive these boys and men to risky behaviors, sexual and otherwise.” These young men were also constantly worried that they would be found out. If they were found out they would lose their friends and family, so they needed their secret to be safe. “It’s a true catch-22 for these youngsters,” said Fields. “On one hand, they are dealing with the chronic anxiety of hiding their homosexuality, but on the other they face the prospect of becoming social pariahs if they come out as gay or bisexual.”

Dr. M. Mirza – 2014
lgbt health wellness .com

Alternative Treatments for AIDS

Alternative therapies sustain a certain level of support among patients and practitioners. Both allopathic and homeopathic clinicians have a credible place in the treatment of various disorders. But what non-conventional therapies, if any, exist for those suffering from HIV-related maladies?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in America, the best recommendation is to find a balance between conventional and alternative applications. New drugs are being tested regularly in the attempt to find both a cure and a means for slowing the progression of sicknesses related to a compromised immune system. Early diagnosis is crucial to getting the jump on HIV, the virus responsible for the breakdown of human immunity and contraction of full-blown AIDS. The CDC suggests any number of modalities to alleviate symptoms of the disease, with intent to restore an element of vitality to the person suffering.

SPECIFIC THERAPIES

When prescribed a regimen of pharmaceuticals, three additional categories of treatment are typically recommended for nearly all levels of disease: mind-body, nutrition and physical therapies. Certain types of massage have proven effective in alleviating symptoms related to chronic aches and pains, and for assisting circulation of bodily fluids and nerve activity. The ability to maintain control of one’s mind is critical to any approach; a sense of well-being and peace must be actively cultivated. Research has shown that discoveries in biofeedback and thought reinforcement have measurable positive effects on all people. Dietitians agree that the tried and true adages hold up: we are what we eat, garbage in – garbage out. Those suffering with more seriously compromised immune systems will likely benefit from a targeted nutritional supplement approach.

Remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Being in good health doesn’t excuse us from keeping vigil; sickness seems always to be looking for a chink in the armor. Regarding the holistic approach to healthiness, be sure to get the opinions and recommendations of qualified practitioners and the people they’ve treated. Such input will prove invaluable to recovery.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can have a range of signs and symptoms, including no symptoms. That’s why they may go unnoticed until complications occur or a partner is diagnosed.Having unprotected sex. Vaginal or anal penetration by an infected partner who isn’t wearing a latex condom significantly increases the risk of getting an STI. Improper or inconsistent use of condoms can also increase your risk.

As mentioned above latex condoms can reduce the risk of STIs if used correctly and consistently. They provide almost 100% protection and give almost a 90% guarantee that a partner will not get STIs. Condoms that aren’t correctly used can allow bacteria to be transmitted. If not used correctly, the condom can fail to protect STIs.

Treatment

F raped women usually have the infections last a few weeks and often longer. For that reason they may choose to forego a visit to the clinic or doctor’s office. If someone doesn’t keep the completion of the treatment to a doctor ordered treatment, they won’t get any protection. Women have to take antibiotics as prescribed by their doctors after the treatment. Read the instruction for the eBook Sexually Transmitted Disease Treatment: APrescription to End the Decades of Painfor more information about the risks and consequences of neglected STI treatment. For protection without treatment, the safest option is a highly barrier method, such as autch Vitalomy block.

Proretraumatologistwill examine your wound and take swabs for STIs and other infections. For those who don’t know, routinely means every day. For kids, daily means every day since there is a high risk of spreading the disease through contact with fluids. For STIs, it means every day since it can take weeks for antibiotics to be effective. For those who go to the doctor for other STIs, their doctor will prescribe antibiotics. Whatever the doctor’s prescription is, remember that the infection must be taken or treated before it is going to subside.

People who are less confident about their sexual health should talk with their doctor, privately, about any problems they are having, especially if they have frequent urinary track infections. There is also a medical test for STIs that can be used in doctors’ offices to check for the common cold and for sexually transmitted infections such as HIV. For those who are sexually active the risks of contracting an STI are high. It is important to protect yourself with a condom, and practice safe sex.

That said, it is important to also be tested regularly for STIs. Tests are usually available online, at local pharmacies, sexually transmitted disease clinics, or at your doctor’s office. Make sure you get the most accurate results possible. If the test is positive, be sure to consult with a STI doctor so the infection can be treated.

Testing can be done in a variety of ways, genital or goiter sampling, viral or bacterial testing, and invasive or non-invasive endoscopy.

Genital Warts

The most common form of STI testing is to ask patients if they have ever had STI, and then to collect genital warts from various areas of the body, such as the anus. This test is to help determine the type of STI, such as HIV, and consequently the treatment needed. If STI testing is done, doctors will strive to make it as routine as possible.

Bacterial Vaginosis

Although it is less common than genital warts, there are ways to diagnose this medical condition. It is commonly done with ensuring that fluids are transmitted. For example, if a patient knows they spent time with a member of the opposite sex washroom without protection, or if the washroom is cold when a sexual partners hands are cold, and bacteria grow. If the doctor fails to see warts, they may believe the patient is lying. It is the duty of the doctor to make a proper diagnosis and treat accordingly.

Fungal Infection

This is also commonly called thrush, or candida. Sufferers may notice a burning or itching sensation around the head of the penis and vagina remain dry and irritated. Having this test done is important if there is a belief that there may be a fungal infection. It can be tested in a variety of ways. It can be predicated by microscopic examination, but there are also more invasive, risking methods including Wood’s Lamp and tests such asromycillin receptor studies.

Typhoid Fever

Typhoid fever is usually caused by bacteria. Themphracephalopathyhactivates after approximately 6-12 weeks from infection. This condition is very deadly, making it very hard to treat. There is often no cure once a diagnosis is made. The most common treatment is a vaccine, but this does not always work.

Measles, mumps, rubella, and rubeola (chickenpox) are diseases that are regularly associated with inflammatory diseases of the immune system, but are difficult to diagnose because they can be mistaken for infections that are not caused by the flu or herpes viruses, and because the symptoms can be caused by many different infections.

Aretroviruses, bacterial infections, and human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) are viruses that are often confused with the flu.

Green Tea For Weight Loss: Fact Or Fiction?

Weight loss, and green tea’s popularity has been hype with regard to the few recent reports on green tea. There is a ongoing debate among the experts of the various green tea varieties or tea types for weight loss. The latest reports suggest that there could be benefits from most green tea types and that any single type of tea may not be such a big thing. That in turn leads one to question “Is Green Tea a Weight Loss Fad?”

The basics

There are four basic types of tea including: Green, Black, Oolong or Wu-Long.

The difference is in the way these teas are processed. teas that are black usually require oxidation which oxidizes the tea color, giving it a rich rich aroma. The processing does not affect the active ingredients of the tea. Green tea which is less processed is less oxidized giving it a more delicate flavor and aroma, this leads to black teas with a more robust flavor and aroma. This is what makes green tea the choice tea for weight loss.

The benefits of green tea

• The primary ingredient is caffeine, which gives you an energy boost, promoting thermogenesis and thus resulting in increased fat reduction.

• Several research has shown that theanine, caffeine and the catechins (chemicals that give green tea its sweet flavor) are all from the leaves. The anorectic and catabolic (break down fat cells) affect by the tea, and are believed to promote weight loss, as the active ingredients speed up your metabolism and help to burn fat faster.

• The antioxidants in green tea also help to protect the body against arrived harmful substances, which in most cases are in the form of free radicals, which are given to the body because of stress, unhealthy eating and even pollutants found in tap water and food.

What kinds of green tea should you buy?

There are three tea types that you can buy. The top of the line being wulong / wulong buds, which are steeped two times before seasoning. The popular Oolong tea, has gotten much media attention recently. Oolong tea comes in bags and also depending on the brand or cartons, as well stir-filled or in solo tea bags.

Tea for weight loss – and other health benefits

Tea, in its naturally raw state, is nutrient rich. It contains powerful antioxidants such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). In addition, green tea contains the modifying polyphenols called Binding affinity proteins. A binding protein is a tag- affiliate protein that unites with a dilute sample of your blood supply to dilute the effect of the sample on your circulation. With the aid of this dilution, the amount of harm to our bodies is reduced. Online sources say that an EGCG study showed that it helps regulates blood pressure, reducing plaques and reducing bad cholesterol.

Tea, in it’s natural form, is rich in many other nutrients than those that are processed or added in the forms of supplements. Other benefits include that it helps prevent certain cancers and may even have been used by the ancient Chinese to treat diseases such as cancer and control theirappetite.

Studies of the effects of green tea on health and diet longevity are still underway. For example, currently in theorbination of tea, the ORAC value is only taken as a measurement of the amount of polyphenols and anti-oxidants present. The study so far has focused on green that is whole plant extracts not just green tea itself. However, from the studies, it would seem that green tea benefits are far more than what has been discovered by the research and testing to date.

Is it really weight loss tea?

Yes, it might be from the “herbs” category of tea, but if you search for reviews on that kind of tea you will find many other kinds of tea, so if it’s green you’ll find a whole new set of benefits.

Some other health benefits of green tea are:

• helps preventBLE nails and belly wrinkles

• protect againstER HEIGHT Accumulation

• protects againstARY2017bs dipped into it

• helps prevent tooth decay and other cavities

• helps combat premature aging• helps keep you cool

• increase your endurance• help fight Teranish disease

• and it’s a natural antibiotic

• and because it contains antioxidants, it’s a very powerful weight loss ingredient.

It seems that green tea weight loss programs are beginning to pop up everywhere. Remember, before you invest in a weight loss tea, research and make sure the product you use is made of 100% whole plant parts and is as pure as possible. Limit your use of supplement tea to three times per day.

Transgender Community Underserved in Healthcare

The transgender community is under-served medically as the healthcare system does not fully recognize their needs (News-Medical.net). One reason is that the national surveillance system does not follow them. They are considered a subpopulation of LGBT, a group that the federal government does not document in terms of medical records. A recent study in LGBT Health, is shining light on this issue. The study used a new method to collect and analyze data using a clinical sample of individuals who were transgender. Mary Ann Liebert Inc., the publishing company behind LGBT Health, made this report free and available on their website.

The study was a combination of forces employing the Harvard School of Public Health, Sari Reisner, ScD, Fenway Health of Boston and Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital. Healthcare issues were compared between transgender and non-transgender patients. Issues such as suicide attempts over the course of one’s lifetime, HIV contraction, substance abuse and stressful social issues (discrimination and violence) were measured.

The article illustrating this study’s research is titled, “Transgender Health Disparities: Comparing Full Cohort and Nested Matched Pair Study Designs in a Community Health Center.” Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York and editor-in-chief of LGBT Health, William Byne, MD, PhD stated on this study, “Clinic-based samples and patient-related data are under-utilized sources of information about transgender health, particularly in community-based, urban health centers that typically serve large numbers of transgender patients. Reisner and coauthors describe a method of handling such data to provide valid results while maximizing efficiency with respect to time and resources.” It is important that medical facilities across the nation adopt this method of handling the data. The federal government has enacted legislation to start addressing the issues the transgender population face. Still, more must be done to address the healthcare issues of this population which is so vulnerable yet has few resources dedicated to addressing their needs. They need more outreach, education and awareness campaigns. The bottom line: they need to be given the proper attention for their unique situation.

Dr. M. Mirza, LGBT Health Wellness – 2014

Health Concerns Faced By Bisexuals

Bisexuality is often misunderstood or not taken seriously. Discrimination exists within the LGBT community and from heterosexuals. A bisexual person might be viewed as someone who can’t make up their mind about their true sexuality or as someone who is promiscuous, having little or no sexual boundaries. More than half of the 3.5 percent of adults in the U.S. who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual are, in fact, bisexual. They face unique health concerns that deserve our attention.

Some health concerns faced by bisexuals:

Substance abuse – According to research, bisexual women have higher rates of drug use than heterosexual women and close to or possibly higher rates than lesbians. The differences between bisexual and gay men have not been clear in studies.
Alcohol use – Bisexual women have reported higher rates of alcohol use, abuse and alcohol related problems compared to lesbians and heterosexual women.
Sexual health – Bisexual women have reported riskier behavior with sex, compared to heterosexual and lesbian women. Part of this risk comes from the highest rate reported of combining substance/alcohol use and sexual activity. Bisexual men who have sex with men have an increased risk of HIV infection.
Tobacco use – Bisexual women smoke at higher rates than heterosexual women, but about the same as lesbians. Less is known about bisexual men’s smoking habits.
Cancer – Bisexual women have reported higher rates of cancer. Some risk factors are: not having given birth (also relevant to a higher rate of lesbians), or being more likely to give birth after age 30, and alcohol consumption. Also, bisexual women receive mammograms and pap tests at the lowest rates. Men or women who receive anal sex are at a higher risk for anal cancer because of an increased rate of HPV infection.
Nutrition/fitness/weight – Bisexual and lesbian women have higher rates of obesity than heterosexual women and more bisexual women are underweight than heterosexual women or lesbians, which would indicate they might be more likely to struggle with healthy eating. Attempts to achieve perfect bodies, due to pressure, have left some gay and bisexual men with adverse health consequences. They might compulsively exercise, use steroids or develop eating disorders due to a poor body image.
Heart disease – Higher rates of heart disease have been reported by bisexual women compared to heterosexual women.
Depression/anxiety – Bisexual men and women have reported higher levels of anxiety and depression than heterosexuals and sometimes higher than gay men and lesbians. The issues are likely to be more severe for those who lack social support and those who are unable or unwilling to disclose their sexuality.
Social support/emotional well-being – Bisexual women have reported the lowest levels of social support. Bisexual men and women have the lowest emotional well-being of any sexual orientation group.
Self-harm/suicide attempts – Bisexual women and men have reported higher levels of suicide attempts, self-harm and suicidal thoughts than heterosexuals and higher than gay men and lesbians in some studies.

Dr. M. Mirza, lgbt health wellness .com – 2015

Understanding Anal Cancer Screenings

It is a rare disease, but anal cancer does exist and deserves our attention.

The cases of anal cancer are a lot more prevalent in gay and bisexual men or, “men who have sex with men” (MSM). Unfortunately, most MSM’s have not been tested or know that any screenings are out there, and do not know much, if anything about anal cancer. Medical professionals are actually divided on whether they should even screen for it and how they would do so. Currently, there isn’t any standardized protocol for anal cancer screening.

Facts about anal cancer:

Anal cancer is diagnosed in approximately two out of every 100,000 people in the general population every year.
MSMs who are HIV negative are 20 times more likely to receive an anal cancer diagnosis (about 40 per 100,000 people)
MSMs who are HIV positive are up to 40 times more likely to receive this diagnosis (about 80 per 100,000 people)
The same strains of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) that cause cervical cancer in women also cause anal cancer
In MSMs, HPV is transmitted through both protected and unprotected anal intercourse and skin-to-skin contact. HPV is very common– approximately 75 percent of all sexually active adults acquire HPV; not all HPV infections lead to cancer.

A number of men don’t have any apparent symptoms of HPV, but possible symptoms include:

Genital warts affecting the anus, penis and/or peritoneum
Abnormal discharge from the anus
Bleeding from the anus and rectum
Itching of the anus; pain or pressure around the anus
A sore or sores that do not heal, around the anus

Since the cervix and anus are similar, biologically, and both are target areas for HPV infection, a pap smear can be used test the anus for pre-cancerous cell changes and cancer. More and more health activists and gay physicians believe this procedure could reduce the incidence of anal cancer as significantly as it has with cervical cancer in women.

It is recommended by them that all MSMs, especially those who are HIV positive, receive testing every 1 to 3 years, depending on their CD4 count and immunology wellbeing. Their recommendation for HIV negative MSMs is for testing every 3 years. Other physicians don’t believe all MSMs need to be tested due to the small number of cases, facility shortages for follow-up procedures, and the cost, pain and fear of looking at small changes in cells (dysplasia). In addition, the number of insurance policies that would cover pap smears for the anus is low.

Even though the AIDS Institute of New York recommends that HIV positive gay men “and others with history of HPV disease” be tested annually, there appears to be little agreement about the importance and practicality of offering all MSM clients this testing.

Dr. M. Mirza, lgbt health wellness .com – 2015

Gay and Bisexual Men and HIV Risk

Should the Education System Feel Responsible?

The discussion of homophobia and the actual risk of HIV to the population is always a heated debate, but it becomes a muddier and more frustrating topic when words like “men who have sex with men” (MSM) and “bisexual” are used—and these words are used frequently in studies conducted by the Center for Disease control on AIDs and HIV. The statistics on diagnoses of HIV in 2010 indicate that gay, bisexual, or MSM men whom comprise about 2% of the population account for about 63% of diagnoses in the United States. But the word “about” is the confusing part. It is not exactly clear how many of these men are straight men that have engaged in homosexual acts, and perhaps one might wonder if these men are admitting to homosexual behavior because they are seeking treatment for HIV. Are we certain these men were included in the estimated 2%? Most new diagnoses of HIV occur in young men between 13-24 years of age… they comprised a jaw-dropping 72% of the gay and bisexual men diagnosed with HIV in 2010. Of these individuals, an incredibly large percent of them are African American male youth from disadvantaged backgrounds. Their reported sexual orientation is not the reason that they have contracted the disease, but rather a lack of sexual education and resources for gay men and youths is to blame.

HIV is not a consequence of homosexual behavior, but a consequence of risky sexual behavior (and in some cases drug use). Is that what men who have sex with men are doing, inflating the CDC’s estimates of homosexuals and bisexuals with HIV? Perhaps, but not because MSM are given to more wanton sexual behavior. This term can describe a situation where a man is sexually attracted to another man for any number of reasons but still identifies as straight. He isn’t bisexual because he doesn’t judge himself to be bisexual, and from a positive psychological perspective of identity this is what matters. He may think he is only capable of committing to a woman in a romantic way, or he may not feel equally attracted to both sexes, but either way he is not homophobic and in denial of his identity. In all probability these men have diverse sexual habits because of the broad category of relationships it can describe.

Obviously some high-risk sexual behaviors, particularly those occurring between men under the influence of drugs or alcohol, are being thrown into this category of men who have sex with men. These encounters would probably not meet most standards for “romantic” behaviors between men, and it is horribly unfair that they are counted among the estimates for new diagnoses of HIV in gay and bisexual men. The rampant homophobic attitudes that prevent awareness campaigns and resources from being accessed in some communities would like us to think that all gay men are having random encounters. The bitter irony is that this fear-mongering promotes carelessness, especially in younger people who need to be educated on what exactly “high-risk sexual behavior” is.

It’s an unsavory topic, but teenagers are having sex. The academic world has come a long way in its attitude towards homosexuality recently by including LGBT alliance and awareness groups in schools, but we need to take a more aggressive attitude towards sexual education in schools. Sexual education needs to be taught in every classroom, and the earlier that teens get it the better off they are. The LGBT community is not taking up enough time in classroom discussions of sexuality. The education system cannot tiptoe around topics like “men who have sex with men” and “homosexuality”. There is no end to the number of mistakes a teenager can make without appropriate guidance from the education system. We were all there once… we have to be honest with ourselves. Blaming stupidity and thinking that the actions of wayward teens don’t affect us is our right, but the astoundingly high numbers of new HIV diagnoses portray the denial of these youths by our culture—they are parallel minds that we just won’t accept responsibility for. Rather than scapegoating the underprivileged communities that raise them, efforts to raise LGBT awareness need to expand beyond home. Community effort needs to mean national effort and then global effort. Bridging the gap between LGBT communities and underprivileged communities created by HIV is the key to fighting this epidemic. If there is anything you can do, don’t hesitate.

MSM, Gay, and Bisexual Men and HIV Risk: Should the Education System Feel Responsible?
Dr. M. Mirza – lgbt health wellness .com – 2014

Should You Take PrEP?

When we first learned how to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the 80’s and 90’s, safe sex was the only surefire answer to prevent HIV infection. PrEP or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis is a new recent development you can take to avoid contracting HIV. It must be taken daily, but it has been proven effective according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Remember to continue using condoms; PrEP does nothing for STD’s like chlamydia, syphilis and others diseases on the rise.

Truvada is the brand name of this medication, which combines two anti-retroviral drugs. If not taken daily the chances of contraction rise greatly. When talking to your doctor about PrEP, be honest as to whether you can reliably take this medication every day. Taking it one time before a particular act does not mean it will prevent the spread of HIV.

If you believe you are at risk, follow these guidelines to help ensure you stay HIV free:

If you have a relationship with a partner who is HIV positive, you should ask your doctor about PrEP.
Anyone who is not in a monogamous relationship and is gay or bisexual who has had an STD within the last six months or has unprotected anal sex should take PrEP.
Anyone who has unprotected sex with more than one partner whose HIV status is unknown, those who use intravenous drugs, sex workers or those that have bisexual male partners should use PrEP.
A patient must get a doctor’s prescription before going on PrEP. Those who are prescribed PrEP must have normal kidney function, have a negative HIV test, show no signs or symptoms of HIV and have never had hepatitis B or have taken the vaccination against it.
After receiving a prescription and taking it daily, a patient must have a checkup once every three months for counseling on how they are doing and how well they are adhering to the medication, assessments of side effects, HIV testing, kidney function check and more.
Even though you are on PrEP, no method is 100% effective. One should still continue to get tested for HIV. A Truvada prescription costs between $1,300 to $1,700 for a month’s worth of pills. If you are considering PrEP, check with your insurance company and physician or urologist to see if the medication is covered. To avoid HIV practice safe sex and limit your number of partners. Protect yourself; you are worth it.

Dr M. Mirza
lgbt health wellness .com – 2014

Are LGBT Students More Likely to Abuse Substances?

Members of the LGBT community typically report a higher level of psychological discomfort and complications in their lives. America may be accepting of sexual minorities in some areas, but not completely across the board. Many, including heterosexuals, turn to drugs to cope with the difficult situations they are presented. Two studies (Substance use of lesbian, gay, bisexual and heterosexual college students and Neighborhood-level LGBT hate crimes and current illicit drug use among sexual minority youth) have recently been published, confirming that LGBT college and high school students typically report higher levels of drug use.

Substance use of lesbian, gay, bisexual and heterosexual college students compared how self-identifying lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) college students and heterosexual use alcohol, tobacco and other drug and alcohol. What they found was that LGB students were more likely to drink in excess. Bisexual college students on the other hand had greater odds of using other illicit substances, with bisexual women reporting the highest.

Drinking and tobacco use already run rampant in Universities. College is an exciting time with new opportunities for socialization and people want to be part of the fun. However, the pressures of campus life and school work combined with the anxieties of leaving home can be depressing for many; especially LGBT communities who report higher levels of discrimination. In Neighborhood-level LGBT hate crimes and current illicit drug use among sexual minority youth, they found cities with high reports of hate crimes towards sexual minority youth also have higher rates of consumption of illicit substances. This proven connection between physical and substance abuse should be raising alarms.

That is not the only contributing factor. Members of sexual minorities also report feeling a greater sense of loneliness and disconnection than their straight counterparts. It’s one thing to feel discomfort moving away from home, but to have nobody to turn to can magnify these emotions. Being lonely is depressing and people that are depressed are more likely to drink. These issues aren’t limited to college life either. LGBT youths in high school, while not as great, report similarly regarding substance abuse.

The problem, as studies seem to show, look more like a social issue than biological. Sexual preference is not something people can be told to make, so adjustments really need to be made towards the treatment of gay communities if these numbers are to be lowered. LGBT groups in colleges are definitely a beneficiary to their members, providing people to confide in for their members but is that really enough? The ideology that we should be treated differently because we have different preferences in the bedroom needs to be erased from society. Nobody should worry about being physically abused just as nobody should need to feel alone.

Dr. M. Mirza, LGBT Health Wellness – 2014

Trans Women May Be At Greater Risk For Depression

The LGBT community has always been thought to be at greater risk for clinical depression than the general population because of the alienation that LGBT people often feel after “coming out” to family and friends, and it seems that the stigma and pain is a greater onus for women and transgender women because of the male-dominated social hierarchy that these individuals are forced to struggle against in the process. Surprisingly studies have shown that LGBT women that are open about their sexuality usually experience less depression. However, there is still an unsettling amount of research that has shown that Transgender women have a lifetime risk for developing depression of about 62% versus the 16% risk for the general population.

A review done this year on the factors that are thought to be behind the lifetime prevalence of depression in transgender women looked at interpersonal and intrapersonal support systems in several studies. The author of this review concluded that although social support from family and self-esteem both influence the risk of developing depression, the woman’s employment status and whether or not she has experienced violence related to her transgender identity are the two most critical factors influencing the rate of depression. Transgender women are thought to suffer violence at the hands of co-workers more often than most LGBT individuals. There is concern that unemployment rates among Transgender women is higher because of harassment and violent assaults at the hands of coworkers, and workplace discrimination against people with transgender identity ends with the victim being blamed. There is a vicious cycle of violence, unemployment, lower economic status, and thus an increased chance of depression in transgender women.

An article in Huffington Post published this year discussed the new workplace training program “Understanding the T in LGBT: Gender Identity and Gender Expression” and how it hopes to help reduce the prevalence of workplace violence and harassment directed against transgender individuals. The online program is part of a Diversity and Inclusion web course series that is designed to increase acceptance of diversity and help prevent identity and cultural “gaps” from leading to workplace harassment. The current rate of workplace harassment experienced by Transgender individuals is reported as 90%.

Dr. M. Mirza, LGBT Health Wellness, 2014

Female to Male Transgender: General Health Care

There are many reasons why FTMs will be reluctant to seek out medical attention or even preventative health care. Many older FTMs have assimilated even without hormones or surgery. Their greatest fear is discovery. Sometimes even their own partners and families don’t have a clue about their situation, and if they do, they are just as frightened of discovery. Mainstream society has not been very kind to anyone who is perceived as different. An even greater deterrent for many FTMs is the very treatment they receive once in a doctor’s office or in hospital. Far too many of us have stories of being treated like the latest circus attraction, or of being outed to the entire waiting room. Perhaps the greatest fear for many of us is being involved in an accident and being “discovered” on the scene or in the emergency room. The person fears being unconscious or so severely injured that he cannot defend himself while outrageous remarks are tossed about, jokes are cracked, epithets are shouted, treatment is interrupted or stopped. All of these things have happened and continue to happen to transsexuals every day. If it hasn’t already happened to us, it has happened to a friend, and we know that it could happen to us.

Since most insurance companies have explicitly written us out of their policies, most of us find it difficult to seek health care through those avenues, even if they are available to us. There have been many transsexuals who have been denied even simple health care because doctors and insurers can claim that the condition would not exist if we were not pursuing transition. Unless we can find sympathetic health care workers, we are often at the mercy of the big money machine insurance companies.

For the FTM specifically, dealing with the female reproductive organs can be a nightmare. Most of us do not have regular pap smears. The procedure is invasive. And again, finding a gynecologist who is sympathetic is difficult. Most FTMs will not seek out a gynecologist unless they are already experiencing symptoms of a problem. Most gynecologists, when it comes to female reproductive organs, have one goal–that of the continuation of the human race. When a male person with female reproductive organs comes into the office, most gynecologists see the organs and their possibilities, not the person. There are FTMs who have been dealing with severe symptoms of endometriosis or other health problems, and their gynecologists will not remove the organs at the patients request because the gynecologist sees the possibility of saving the organs. The FTM could be in severe, constant pain, not want the organs in the first place, have no intention of ever having children, even be past childbearing years, and the physician will override the patient’s wishes just to save the reproductive organs. Never mind the physical, mental, and psychological strain this puts on the patient. Never mind that it is the patient’s body.

Although many FTMs perform their own breast exams, most do not. They will rarely go to a physician if they find anything unless they already have a doctor who is aware of their situation. If surgery is recommended, many will not follow through because of probable exposure in the operating room. This is often true of hysterectomies as well. FTMs who choose to have one of the lower surgeries can get the hysterectomy at that time. If the FTM has opted to not undergo alteration surgery, chances are he is not getting any kind of medical attention for any health concerns.

Diet is an on-going concern. Many of the FTMs who are seeking some or all of the surgeries are working several jobs just to earn the needed money. There is little time for proper eating and sleeping. Those on the streets have an even greater difficulty meeting even the minimum dietary needs. Usually their main focus is on taking the steps they deem necessary for their transition. It is very important to point out to them that their health is one of the steps of their transition. If they do not have their basic health, they will not be able to maintain the work schedule they’ve set for themselves, they will not heal well from surgery or may even compromise their health to the point that they won’t be able to have surgery, and that they may achieve the goals they’ve set for themselves and then not have the health to enjoy their new life to the fullest.

Notes on Gender Transition

Revised September, 1997

FTM 101 — The Invisible Transsexuals

By: Shadow Morton, Yosenio Lewis, Aaron Hans–James Green, Editor