[Kos and lesbos or the physician and the lesbian patient]

Two to twelve percent of women define themselves as lesbians. Based on this data it has been estimated that 3-6% of patients who visit a physician are lesbians. In light of the growing awareness to gay/lesbian issues during the last decade, the special medical needs of the lesbian population have been sought and defined. This review presents an array of such special medical needs. Furthermore, the issue of physician-lesbian patient interaction, which is the key element in improving medical service to this unique population of women, is discussed.