LQBTQ CARE
LQBTQ CARE SERVICES offered IN QUEENS, MASPETH, LOWER MANHATTAN, NEW YORK, BROOKLYN AND FLUSHING, NY
LGBTQ people often face challenges that affect their mental and physical health. LocalMD offices in Queens, New York City, Flushing, and Brooklyn, NY have dedicated doctors and nurse practitioners who provide comprehensive LGBTQ care to people of all ages. If you’re an LGBTQ person, you can be sure of high-quality, inclusive services at LocalMD, so you feel respected, safe, and cared for. Call the office to schedule a consultation or book an appointment online today.
What is LGBTQ care?
LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning) describes people who encompass the many ways human sexuality and sexual identity vary. Sometimes the term expands to include intersex, asexual, and all other variations (LGBTQIA+).
LGBTQ health care caters to the specific concerns and unique issues experienced by individuals identifying as LGBTQIA+. The health professionals at LocalMD aim to celebrate and empower patients regardless of their identity, rejecting the discrimination many LGBTQ people have experienced.
Studies show that LGBTQ people suffer more from certain illnesses and mental health problems than non-LGBTQ people. As expert primary care providers, this is a significant concern for LocalMD’s clinicians. They understand that LGBTQ care is vital to ensure patients feel confident seeking medical attention and wellness services.
What physical conditions affect LGBTQ people?
Family planning is something you should be discussing with a provider at LocalMD regularly throughout your reproductive years. You should haveNo illnesses are exclusive to LGBTQ individuals, but some people have a significantly greater risk of developing certain health problems, including: a family planning examination if you:
- Breast cancer
- Some gynecological cancers
- Testicular cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Hepatitis
- Syphilis
- Colorectal cancer
- Anal cancer
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have higher rates because some people engage in high-risk activities. These include unprotected sex with multiple partners and sharing needles when injecting narcotics like heroin.
What mental health problems do LGBTQ people suffer from?
Just like physical diseases, no mental health problem only affects one group. However, psychiatric disorders are more common in LGBTQ people. Many suffer from frequent bullying at school, their families reject them, and they struggle to find acceptance in adult life. This causes elevated stress levels, which could trigger mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and substance use disorder. LGBTQ people also have higher suicide rates.
What can I expect during primary care visits?
The LocalMD team prides itself on encouraging people to seek help and adopt preventive medicine practices to improve health and well-being. For example, LGBTQ people are less likely to attend:
- Routine breast exams
- Mammograms (breast screening X-rays)
- Pap smears (cervical cancer screening)
- Prostate exams
- Colorectal cancer screening
- STD screening
They may be reluctant to visit a doctor for symptom evaluation, get help for mental health problems and stress, or seek advice on adopting healthier lifestyles. LocalMD wants to reduce disease rates by making LGBTQ people feel welcome and confident in getting the high-quality health care they deserve. Call the office to learn more, or book an appointment online today.
