Many people who identify as bisexual may experience bisexual erasure when seeking healthcare services. Bisexual erasure occurs when healthcare providers dismiss or minimize their patient's identity as bisexual, which can lead to negative health outcomes. This includes refusing to provide appropriate care because they don't believe that bisexual patients exist or need specific treatment options for their needs. Studies have shown that this type of discrimination has negative effects on mental health and stress related to healthcare.
When bisexuals are ignored or shamed, it can lead to feelings of rejection, isolation, and invalidation, leading them to avoid seeking necessary healthcare services altogether. This can increase anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, and other psychological problems. It also makes it harder for medical staff to understand how to best meet their unique needs and preferences.
If a bisexual woman is denied a Pap smear test because she is assumed to be heterosexual, she could miss important screening for cervical cancer.
Bisexuals often face challenges in accessing care due to misunderstandings about their sexuality. Healthcare providers may assume that they only engage in sex with one gender, which means that some treatments, such as HIV prevention medications, may not be offered to them.
Many bisexuals report feeling uncomfortable disclosing their orientation to healthcare providers, fearing judgment or stigma. This can make it difficult to build trusting relationships with providers and make them less likely to seek needed care.
To address these issues, healthcare providers must receive specialized training on serving the needs of LGBTQ+ communities. They should ask respectful questions about sexual orientation and gender identity when taking medical histories and offer all available treatment options regardless of a patient's identity. Healthcare systems should also create policies that support inclusivity, such as offering gender-neutral bathrooms and including sexual orientations on intake forms.
It is essential to acknowledge the impact that biphobia has on mental health and stress related to healthcare. Bisexuals need access to comprehensive and culturally competent care, where their identities are affirmed, valued, and respected. By working together, we can ensure that everyone receives the quality healthcare they deserve.
How does bisexual erasure in medical settings affect your mental health and stress related to healthcare?
The idea that bisexual individuals are simply "greedy" and looking for attention is common in many medical settings. This erases the realities of their sexuality and creates unnecessary stress when seeking health care. Bisexuals may feel pressure to hide or change their identity to fit into heterosexual or homosexual labels, leading to feelings of shame and isolation. They may also avoid discussing certain topics with providers out of fear of judgment, which can impact their overall wellbeing.