How much do you know about LGBT Health? Try this quiz – answers provided.

1) Which is the best advice on how to avoid sexually transmitted infections, including HIV and viral hepatitis?

a) Have only one sexual partner.

b) Have sex with no more than two new partners a year

c) Strictly avoid sex before marriage.

d) Use of condoms (either insertive or receptive type) and dental dams greatly reduces the risk of sexually transmitted diseases. Either partner may wear the condom. Only one condom should be used at a time.

e) Both partners should wear a condom, every time, for each time they have oral, vaginal or anal intercourse.

The correct answer is d) One condom (at a time) is the best protection against STDs, including HIV and viral hepatitis B and C. Some may argue that total abstinence is even more effective, but we have not seen much success from the abstinence-only campaigns that were pushed so heavily under the last president’s administration.

Some people think that more is better, like this: "We didn’t use a condom last time, so let’s use two condoms now and we’ll feel extra-safe." I understand the sort-of logic, but unfortunately, not only are two condoms no better than one, two are actually worse than one. This is because two pieces of the latex material most condoms are made of tend to stick together. As a result, two condoms used at the same time, whether one is worn by each person or both are worn by one person, will stick together and then tear or slide off.

Let’s consider the other choices:

• Have only one sexual partner. The problem here is that, while you know your own actions, unless you are with your partner 24/7, you cannot be certain of your partner’s actions. It is tragic but not at all unusual for a doctor to have to tell a patient who us in what they believe is a monogamous relationship that their "monogamous" partner has given them a sexual infection. Most of the time this is not because the partner is a terrible person - just human, and impulsive. Don’t put yourself in a situation where you may be dealing with the shock of new HIV infection at the same time you are dealing with the shock of infidelity.

• Have sex with no more than two new partners a year. I bet you knew this one was wrong. Protection is especially important with new partners. The risk is greatest when the partner is a recent acquaintance, an anonymous partner or an Internet partner.

• Strictly avoid sex before marriage. This works until marriage. Then you have the same issues described above about "monogamous" relationships.

• I’m sorry if this sounds cynical. It’s not, really: it’s just factual, based on my observations of human behavior during 24 years as a family doctor.

2) Which of the following is a side effect of estrogen, which is a side effect of testosterone, which can be a side effect of both, and which is not a side effect of either one?

a) Blood clots in legs and lungs

b) High blood pressure

c) Unhealthy effects on cholesterol levels

d) Cancers of the reproductive system

e) High blood sugar

f) Weight gain

?

Answers: a) Estrogen, b) Both, c) Testosterone, d) Neither, e) Both, f) Testosterone

Hormone treatment is medically and emotionally necessary for many transgender people. It has serious medical risks. Transpeople considering hormone therapy should be aware of the risks and understand them well before making a final decision about whether to start cross-gender hormone therapy.

3) What risk factors do many lesbians have which may increase their risk for breast, ovarian and endometrial cancer?

a) they are less likely to get mammograms and clinical breast exams by medical professionals

b) smoking

c) alcohol use

d) overweight

e) less use of hormonal contraceptives

f) fewer full-term pregnancies

g) d, e, and f

h) all of the above

The correct answer is all of the above.

3) Which of these six LGBT groups are at highest risk for problems with body image and eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia nervosa?

a) gay men

b) lesbians

c) bisexual men

d) bisexual women

e) transwomen (male to female transsexuals)

f) transmen (female-to-male transsexuals)

The correct answers are a and c.