Lesbian and Bisexual Health

Temple has a strong, trustworthy team of internal medicine and family doctors dedicated to keeping you healthy. We provide a judgment-free zone, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.

We’re ready to offer you guidance on everything from sexually transmitted infection (STI) screenings to heart health. Our doctors will safely guide you in your healthcare journey, helping you make good health choices like quitting smoking and maintaining healthy nutrition, diet and exercise.

To support you, several LGBTQ-affirming Temple doctors are ready to see you. We respect your gender identity and how you define yourself. Our medical staff will respect your preferred pronouns.

Learn more about primary and preventive care at Temple >

Our providers understand some patients do not want to reveal to their doctors that they’re lesbian, bisexual or queer. Did you have a bad experience with a doctor, or in the emergency room before? Maybe you felt judged because of your sexuality or gender identity. 

Here at Temple, we provide care in a safe and inclusive environment. If discrimination by a doctor made you skip your annual mammogram, pap smear or other cancer screening, please know that we provide safe, unbiased access. 

According to the American Cancer Society, LGBTQ women are sometimes at a higher risk. Your primary care doctor will recommend preventive screenings based on your age, overall health and lifestyle factors. Remember, finding cancer early allows treatment to start soon, which could save your life.

Learn more about preventive screenings >

Primary care doctors help you maintain a healthy life. That includes your sexual health and your partner’s health. We keep you healthy through regular sexually transmitted infections (STIs) testing and HIV testing. Your doctor will advise how often you should test.

Women who are bisexual or lesbian are still at risk for STIs, even though some people think STIs are rare between women.

HPV is something you should test for, as it can lead to head and neck cancers, or cancers of the cervix. A regular pap smear by a Temple gynecologist will help get you on the right path for treatment. Regular screenings can be set up with scheduled appointments.

Find an LGBTQ affirming gynecologist >

This is another part of our sexual health services. We provide you with education and risk-reduction services or medications. This keeps your status for HIV, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and other STIs in check.

The exam is administered by Temple experts. There’s no judgement by us, just good health.

Find an LGBTQ affirming infectious disease specialist >

PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis)

HIV is rarely transmitted from one woman to another. But until we find a cure for HIV, PrEP offers a safe medication that blocks nearly 100% of new HIV cases if taken daily.

PrEP might be a good choice for any of the following reasons:

• Multiple sex partners
• Unaware of your partner’s HIV status
• Have a partner living with HIV
• Inject drugs with shared needles or are sexually active with a person who does

If you wish to start a family with a sperm donor or man who is HIV-positive, your doctor may advise you to take PrEP to keep you and your baby negative. Tests, once every 3 months, will be given to you at Temple to make sure you’re safe from other STIs and that the medicine is working. 

See if PrEP is the right choice for your sexual health >

PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis)

PEP is a medication that blocks HIV infection after exposure, which you can talk about with your doctor.

Your primary care doctor helps manage chronic conditions like asthma, gastrointestinal (stomach or digestive) issues and other conditions. We help manage high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, obesity and other issues outside of your sexual health. 

Sometimes a condition may require you to seek specialty care, such as cardiology, pulmonology or dermatology. When this is needed, your primary care doctor will help to identify the right specialist at Temple for more complex care.

Get to know our LGBTQ affirming specialists >

A higher percentage of LGBTQ women and women of color do not get regular mammograms or seek out other cancer screenings. Perhaps a previous exam or screening with a doctor caused you to feel uncomfortable.

Regular ovarian, cervical and breast cancer screenings are important for maintaining your best health. Early detection is the best way to treat cancer and maintain your physical and sexual health.

Women who are smokers are also at a higher risk for breast cancer than non-smokers. Specialists at Temple can guide you through diagnosis and treatment every step of the way.

Learn how we diagnose and treat cancer at Temple >

We value our patients who identify as transgender and nonbinary. We provide a variety of services from compassionate LGBTQ-affirming providers who offer gender affirming options — including hormone replacement therapy and gender affirming surgeries — to help you meet your goals.

Our qualified team is here to support you throughout your transition. We strive to educate you about the best available treatments and can guide you through the process as you take steps to affirm your gender identity.

If you have felt discrimination in a doctor’s office or emergency room, please know that we will treat you without stigma.

Read more about Temple’s gender-affirming care >

Temple supports healthy choices for both your physical and mental needs. To achieve a healthier, happier you, we match you with the right LGBTQ-affirming mental health doctor, counselor or therapist. 

If you haven’t been to therapy before, maybe because of stigma, you can feel safe knowing someone is here to help. 

Learn more about mental health services at Temple >

At Temple, your primary care doctor supports you making healthy decisions. This includes helping you to quit smoking, which unfortunately is a common habit among LGBTQ people. Smoking also poses a greater danger to those living with HIV.

If you, a partner or a loved one are suffering from substance use disorder (such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or using crystal meth, ketamine or opioids), we have programs to help.

Through the Temple TRUST Clinic, our doctors may provide medications to help break the cycle of opioid use and offer you counseling or therapy in your path to healthy choices. At our TRUST Clinic, there are no judgements — just help you can trust.

Learn more about substance use / misuse and the support programs we offer >

Are you ready to start a family? If you have felt uncomfortable seeking out fertility health, we can provide you with access to fertility specialists who support LGBTQ families.

Learn more about family support and reproductive endocrinology at Temple >

Families with children can find pediatric care with Temple Pediatrics in a safe and comfortable space.