Dataset Information

Lesbian and bisexual women's likelihood of becoming pregnant: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Few data exist regarding pregnancy in lesbian and bisexual (LB) women.

Objectives

To determine the likelihood of LB women becoming pregnant, naturally or assisted, in comparison with heterosexual women SEARCH STRATEGY: Systematic review of papers published 1 January 2000 to 23 June 2015.

Selection criteria

Studies contained details of pregnancy rates among LB women compared with heterosexual women. No restriction on study design.

Data collection and analysis

Inclusion decisions, data extraction and quality assessment were conducted in duplicate. Meta-analyses were carried out, with subgroups as appropriate.

Main results

Of 6859 papers identified, 104 full-text articles were requested, 30 papers (28 studies) were included. The odds ratio (OR) of ever being pregnant was 0.19 (95% CI 0.18-0.21) in lesbian women and 1.22 (95% CI 1.15-1.29) in bisexual women compared with heterosexual women. In the general population, the odds ratio for pregnancy was nine-fold lower among lesbian women and over two-fold lower among bisexual women (0.12 [95% CI 0.12-0.13] and 0.50 [95% CI 0.45-0.55], respectively). Odds ratios for pregnancy were higher for both LB adolescents (1.37 [95% CI 1.18-1.59] and 1.98 [95% CI 1.85, 2.13], respectively). There were inconsistent results regarding abortion rates. Lower rates of previous pregnancies were found in lesbian women undergoing artificial insemination (OR 0.17 [95% CI 0.11-0.26]) but there were higher assisted reproduction success rates compared with heterosexual women (OR 1.56 [95% CI 1.24-1.96]).

Conclusions

Heterosexuality must not be assumed in adolescents, as LB adolescents are at greater risk of unwanted pregnancies and terminations. Clinicians should provide appropriate information to all women, without assumptions about LB patients' desire for, or rejection of, fertility and childbearing.

Tweetable abstract

Review of likelihood of LB women becoming pregnant: LB teenagers at greater risk of unwanted pregnancies.

SUBMITTER: Hodson K

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5299536 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Lesbian and bisexual women's likelihood of becoming pregnant: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Hodson K K Meads C C Bewley S S

BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology 20161215 3

<h4>Background</h4>Few data exist regarding pregnancy in lesbian and bisexual (LB) women.<h4>Objectives</h4>To determine the likelihood of LB women becoming pregnant, naturally or assisted, in comparison with heterosexual women SEARCH STRATEGY: Systematic review of papers published 1 January 2000 to 23 June 2015.<h4>Selection criteria</h4>Studies contained details of pregnancy rates among LB women compared with heterosexual women. No restriction on study design.<h4>Data collection and analysis</ ...[more]

PMID: 27981741

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Project description:BackgroundLittle is known about the gynaecological health of lesbian and bisexual (LB) women.ObjectivesTo examine differences in incidence and/or prevalence of gynaecological conditions in LB compared with heterosexual women.Search strategyThe systematic review protocol was prospectively registered (PROSPERO-CRD42015027091) and searches conducted in seven databases.Selection criteriaComparative studies published 2000-2015, reporting any benign (non-infectious) and/or malignant gynaecological conditions with no language or setting restrictions.Data collection and analysisInclusions, data extraction and quality assessment were conducted in duplicate. Meta-analyses of condition prevalence rates were conducted where ?3 studies reported results.Main resultsFrom 567 records, 47 full papers were examined and 11 studies of mixed designs included. No studies directly addressing the question were found. Two chronic pelvic pain studies reported higher rates in bisexual compared with heterosexual women (38.5 versus 28.2% and 18.6 versus 6.4%). Meta-analyses showed no statistically significant differences in polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometriosis and fibroids. There was a higher rate of cervical cancer in bisexual than heterosexual women [odds ratio (OR) = 1.94; 95% CI 1.46-2.59] but no difference overall (OR = 0.76; 95% CI 0.15-3.92). There was a lower rate of uterine cancer in lesbian than heterosexual women (OR = 0.28; 95% CI 0.11-0.73) and overall (OR = 0.36; 95% CI 0.13-0.97), but no difference in bisexual women (OR = 0.43; 95% CI 0.06-3.07).ConclusionsMore bisexual women may experience chronic pelvic pain and cervical cancer than heterosexual women. There is no information on potential confounders. Better evidence is required, preferably monitoring sexual orientation in research using the existing validated measure and fully reporting results.Tweetable abstractLesbians have less uterine cancer than heterosexual women; bisexuals have more pelvic pain and cervical cancer.

Project description:BackgroundSexual minority individuals experience discrimination, leading to mental health disparities. Physical health disparities have not been examined to the same extent in systematic reviews so far.ObjectivesTo provide a systematic review and, where possible, meta-analyses on the prevalence of physical health conditions in sexual minority women (i.e. lesbian- and bisexual-identified women) compared to heterosexual-identified women.DesignThe study design is a systematic review with meta-analyses.Data sources and methodsA systematic literature search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases was conducted on epidemiologic studies on physical health conditions, classified in the Global Burden of Disease project, published between 2000 and 2021. Meta-analyses pooling odds ratios were calculated.ResultsIn total, 23,649 abstracts were screened and 44 studies were included in the systematic review. Meta-analyses were run for arthritis, asthma, back pain, cancer, chronic kidney diseases, diabetes, headache disorders, heart attacks, hepatitis, hypertension, and stroke. Most significant differences in prevalence by sexual identity were found for chronic respiratory conditions, especially asthma. Overall, sexual minority women were significantly 1.5-2 times more likely to have asthma than heterosexual women. Furthermore, evidence of higher prevalence in sexual minority compared to heterosexual women was found for back pain, headaches/migraines, hepatitis B/C, periodontitis, urinary tract infections, and acne. In contrast, bisexual women had lower cancer rates. Overall, sexual minority women had lower odds of heart attacks, diabetes, and hypertension than heterosexual women (in terms of diabetes and hypertension possibly due to non-consideration of pregnancy-related conditions).ConclusionWe found evidence for physical health disparities by sexual identity. Since some of these findings rely on few comparisons only, this review emphasizes the need for routinely including sexual identity assessment in health research and clinical practice. Providing a more detailed picture of the prevalence of physical health conditions in sexual minority women may ultimately contribute to reducing health disparities.

Project description:BackgroundLesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people may be at higher risk of mental disorders than heterosexual people.MethodWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of mental disorder, substance misuse, suicide, suicidal ideation and deliberate self harm in LGB people. We searched Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, Cinahl, the Cochrane Library Database, the Web of Knowledge, the Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts, the International Bibliography of the Social Sciences, Sociological Abstracts, the Campbell Collaboration and grey literature databases for articles published January 1966 to April 2005. We also used Google and Google Scholar and contacted authors where necessary. We searched all terms related to homosexual, lesbian and bisexual people and all terms related to mental disorders, suicide, and deliberate self harm. We included papers on population based studies which contained concurrent heterosexual comparison groups and valid definition of sexual orientation and mental health outcomes.ResultsOf 13706 papers identified, 476 were initially selected and 28 (25 studies) met inclusion criteria. Only one study met all our four quality criteria and seven met three of these criteria. Data was extracted on 214,344 heterosexual and 11,971 non heterosexual people. Meta-analyses revealed a two fold excess in suicide attempts in lesbian, gay and bisexual people [pooled risk ratio for lifetime risk 2.47 (CI 1.87, 3.28)]. The risk for depression and anxiety disorders (over a period of 12 months or a lifetime) on meta-analyses were at least 1.5 times higher in lesbian, gay and bisexual people (RR range 1.54-2.58) and alcohol and other substance dependence over 12 months was also 1.5 times higher (RR range 1.51-4.00). Results were similar in both sexes but meta analyses revealed that lesbian and bisexual women were particularly at risk of substance dependence (alcohol 12 months: RR 4.00, CI 2.85, 5.61; drug dependence: RR 3.50, CI 1.87, 6.53; any substance use disorder RR 3.42, CI 1.97-5.92), while lifetime prevalence of suicide attempt was especially high in gay and bisexual men (RR 4.28, CI 2.32, 7.88).ConclusionLGB people are at higher risk of mental disorder, suicidal ideation, substance misuse, and deliberate self harm than heterosexual people.

Dataset Information

Lesbian and bisexual women's likelihood of becoming pregnant: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background

Objectives

Selection criteria

Data collection and analysis

Main results

Conclusions

Tweetable abstract

Publications

Lesbian and bisexual women's likelihood of becoming pregnant: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

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