Karen L. Blair Sexual Health Research Lab Queen’s University klbresearch karen@klbresearch 613.533.3276

1. What’s the Worst That Could Happen? Heterosexual & Sexual Minority Women’s Concerns about Physical Examinations Karen L. Blair, MSc ~ Queen’s University ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS INTRODUCTION RESULTS A great deal of resources are devoted on an annual basis to informing women that it is important for them to take care of their health, and that part of this includes visiting the doctor annually for a physical exam, including a pap smear and cervical examination. Despite the importance of these exams in the early detection of cancer and other serious illnesses, many women are still very reluctant to visit their doctor, dreading the exam as the best case scenario and avoiding it completely as the worst. Sexual minority women report visiting the doctor for a physical examination less frequently than heterosexual women, despite the fact that they are still at risk for cancer and STIs. The current study asked a sample of women to answer the question “What is your greatest concern about visiting a doctor of gynecologist for a sexual health physical?” Quantitative narrative analysis was used to analyze the responses to this question. This research was funded by: METHODS AND MATERIALS QUOTES CONCLUSIONS Participants were invited to participate in an online survey concerning relationships, sexuality, social support and health. Questionnaires covered a wide variety of topics, but the present analysis examined responses to a subset of questions included in the Health and Behaviour Survey. 514 Women completed the Health and Behaviour Survey, and 312 of these women provided open ended responses to the following question: What is your GREATEST concern about visiting a doctor a gynecologist for a sexual health physical? General demographics, including age, sexual orientation, relationship status, nationality and education were also collected. Data was analyzed for general themes and then each response was coded for the presence of 11 different themes. “Not understanding that I am a lesbian.” “Having to explain AGAIN that I do not have to use a contraceptive when I have sex.” “I just hate it. They always assume I’m hetero and it’s awkward.” “Having to answer questions about sexual orientation to a stranger.” “Being belittled for being gay.” “They always assume I need birth control and I feel like slapping them and telling them that not everyone is a breeder.” “That they won’t understand gay sexual issues.” “Being judged by the doctor for my sexuality.” “Having to explain exactly how I know that I couldn’t possibly be pregnant!!” • Visiting a doctor of Gynecologist for a Sexual Health Examination is associated with a wide variety of concerns, ranging from embarrassment, fear of physical discomfort and pain, to the anxiety associated with potentially learning about a serious illness or condition – including STIs or Cancer. • For sexual minority women, a sizeable proportion of them list their PRIMARY concern - over and above all over concerns – as being related to their sexuality and how their sexuality will be perceived and responded to by their doctor • While little can be done to alleviate the biggest concern of women - the discovery of something wrong – it should be seen as a goal of Women’s Health Advocates and the medical community as a whole to reduce the remaining concerns of women in order to make it as easy and as comfortable as possible for women to visit their doctor • This study further emphasizes the need to include sexual minority issues in medical training programs CONTACT Karen L. Blair Sexual Health Research Lab Queen’s University http://www.klbresearch.com karen@klbresearch.com 613.533.3276