Young lesbians less likely than heterosexuals to be vaccinated for HPV: A Study

A study has inferred that young lesbians are less likely than heterosexuals to be vaccinated for HPV. Adolescent and young adult lesbians may be less likely to initiate vaccination for the human papillomavirus, or HPV, according to a study published in Annals of Internal Medicine. Prevalent misconceptions about risk seem to dissuade women and health care providers from initiating the vaccine.

Nearly all cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV, so it is recommended that all U.S. women and girls between the ages of 11 and 26 years receive the HPV vaccine, regardless of sexual identity or behavior. Lesbians may be at greater risk for cervical cancer than most heterosexual women for several reasons, including limited knowledge of female-to-female HPV transmission, a higher prevalence of smoking, and greater obesity rates. For this reason, vaccination against HPV may be even more critical in this population.

Researchers used data from the National Survey of Family Growth to examine the association between sexual orientation identity and HPV vaccination among U.S. women and girls. They found that females who self-identified as lesbian were significantly less likely than their heterosexual counterparts to initiate HPV vaccination. The researchers suggest that targeted efforts may be needed to educate lesbians and health care providers about HPV and the importance of vaccination in preventing cervical cancer.