Introduction
Clinical research concerning lesbian and pansexual individuals focuses on addressing health disparities and improving healthcare access and cultural competency among providers. Much of the current research is part of broader studies on the LGBTQ+ community, recognizing that unique health challenges exist for different sexual orientations and gender identities.
Lesbianism
Current clinical research on lesbian women often highlights specific health risks and barriers to care. Studies show that lesbian and bisexual women have a higher prevalence of certain conditions compared to heterosexual women, including:
- Higher rates of obesity, which is linked to heart disease and cancer.
- Increased risk of some cancers, such as breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancers.
- Greater rates of substance use disorders, including alcohol, smoking, cocaine, and marijuana use.
- Higher rates of intimate partner violence.
A key focus of research is on the barriers to healthcare that contribute to these disparities. Lesbian women are less likely to receive routine screenings like mammograms and Pap tests, which are crucial for early cancer detection. This avoidance is often due to a fear of discrimination or past negative experiences with healthcare providers who lack cultural competency.
Recent studies, such as the "Project QueST 2023: Queer Survivors of Trauma," are examining tailored interventions, like expressive writing, to address PTSD and hazardous drinking in sexual minority women and gender-diverse individuals.
Pansexuality
Clinical research on pansexuality is a more recent development, often examining the unique experiences of pansexual individuals compared to other sexual minority groups. Much of this research focuses on mental health and identity-related stress.
Some studies suggest that pansexual people, especially youth, report higher rates of depression and anxiety compared to other sexual minority groups like bisexual or queer individuals.
Research also explores the concept of pansexuality itself, including how pansexual individuals differentiate their identity from bisexuality and the challenges they face, such as others not understanding what pansexuality is.
A 2024 study investigated how pansexual individuals navigate and express their identity, revealing themes around safety and dismissal of their identity in intimate relationships and other contexts.