by Marie Nicollier
Insufficient gynecological follow-up, sexual violence, worrying mental health… Here are some of the alarming findings drawn up by a survey on the health of women who have sex with women (FSF). Led by three Vaud associations (VoGay, Les Klamydia's, Lilith) and supported by Unisanté, it was carried out in 2019 (409 usable forms). Respondents were 32 years old on average.
Almost 30% of them do not have a gynecologist and are not followed for their sexual health. Over a third have been discriminated against or inadequately cared for at least once because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. "The women who come to the hotlines often complain about the reception at the gynecologists", confirms Nicole Marty, president of Lilith. "We receive a lot of requests for sensitized gynecologists," adds Camille Béziane, of Klamydia's. There is a lack of awareness of the needs of these women. But when they have a bad experience, the person stops consulting for a longer period of time… ”
Justine Cuendet, head of the VoGay permanence, evokes the story of a lady who consulted her partner's GP. "The entire interview was focused on the atypical family configuration, the role of the father and other inappropriate elements."
No more alcohol and drugs
The consumption of tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, cocaine and psychotropic drugs is more important in this panel than in the female population in general. Their mental state, again, is less good (more than half have already had suicidal thoughts.) “Alarming figures, like those in the field of sexual violence,” comments Dr. Marie-Annick Le Pogam (Unisanté) .
"Hostile" climate
The Vaud Minister of Health, Rebecca Ruiz, qualifies this survey as “innovative (there is little data on the subject) and necessary. There are still significant differences between these women and the rest of the population in terms of health. ” "We need a better knowledge of the people concerned, with investigations such as this one, in order to obtain preventive measures", adds Muriel Waeger, of the Swiss Lesbian Organization.
"There is a demand for more visibility of the FSF (especially in prevention campaigns) but also a need for information on health, for professionals made aware and for better accessibility to means of protection and to places of screening" , underline the associations which carried out the survey.
Discrimination against women who have sex with women is "the consequence of a hostile climate that disadvantages them," reacts Léonore Porchet, Green National Councilor and President of the Swiss Sexual Health Foundation. She notes that “the insufficient promotion of mental health in Switzerland particularly affects them. LGBTQ youth are two to five times more likely to commit suicide than heterosexual youth.