lesbianism

[lez´be-ah-nizm]

homosexuality between women.

les·bi·an·ism

(lez'bē-ăn-izm),

Homosexuality in women.

Synonym(s): sapphism

[G. lesbios, relating to the island of Lesbos]

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

Sexual preference by women for other women
Medical issues Lesbianism is far less studied medically than male homosexuality. Early studies indicate that lesbians are more often obese, exercise less, smoke more, eat fewer fruits and vegetables, suffer more from anxiety and depression, and are more likely to abuse alcohol and drugs. The trilogy of alcohol abuse, obesity and poor nutrition increases lesbians’ risk of breast, endometrial and ovarian cancers. Sexually-transmitted infections seen in lesbians include bacterial vaginosis, HPV, trichomonas, and herpes. Syphilis, gonorrhoea, and HIV are relatively uncommon in lesbians

les·bi·an·ism

(lez'bē-ăn-izm)

Homosexuality involving women.
Synonym(s): sapphism.

[G. lesbios, relating to the island of Lesbos]

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

lesbianism

Female homosexuality. Long-term stable lesbian relationships are common, as in male homosexuality. The term comes from the Greek female poet Sappho, who lived on the island of Lesbos with her followers during the 7th century BC.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

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References in periodicals archive

With more tremendous impact than the psychoanalytic significance of Martha's homosexuality formation is the supposed connection between lesbianism and single-sex schools, a public discourse established in the play and in reality with Mary Tilford's knowledge of lesbianism.

Recovering the lesbian theme in The Children's Hour

There have been more lesbian-themed films since 2007 than in the 30 years prior, but mainstream depictions of real-life lesbianism remain maddeningly elusive.

Coming out, going on screen: looking for lesbians at the movies

I want to know, in detail, how [your name here] perceives herself and her art in relations to Lesbians, to Lesbianism ...

From gardening gaps

Ballaro notes an increase of studies on lesbianism in sociology, psychology and history, and a continued inattention to lesbianism in Italian literature, which results in an absence of lesbian discourse in Italian literary criticism.

An apology for Lesbian visibility in Italian literary criticism

From this viewpoint, The Children's Hour should be related to its antecedents featuring lesbianism on the American stage during the years immediately before the play's opening at the Maxine Elliot's Theatre in New York.

'Making something out of nothing': lesbianism as liberating fantasy in the children's hour

The response from Hillary-land was to attack Klein's credibility by seizing on the book's factual errors and its handful of outrageous charges (like Hillary's purported lesbianism).

Last woman standing: would presidential candidate Hillary Clinton be destroyed by today's vicious media, or is she the only Democrat who can survive it?

The former Nigerian women's coach has hit out at the African nation's prejudice towards the increasingly preferential lifestyle of lesbianism.

Football: Adam's Grapple - Lesbians are best players!

James Gilbert Sonja Sarah McVie Catherine Maureen Smith Alex Patricia Tedford </pre> <p>A gender bender in verse, "Swollen Tongues" is an attempt both to send up Restoration comedy and to be the main cheering section for lesbianism. Playwright Kathleen Oliver seems intent on pointing out that nothing is entirely as it seems.

Swollen Tongues

Next week the soap resorts to dipstick lesbianism as Naomi snogs Sonia.

Bushell on the Box: HONEY'S NOT TOO SWEET

Government censors in the 1930s feared suppressing certain books may actually lead to women "getting to know" about practices like lesbianism and so "defeat the object" of banning literature.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES: Lesbian 'threat' to the nation

Indeed, while Marissa flirts with lesbianism, Seth embraces his new bad boy status by drinking to excess and arguing with his parents.

The O.C