Lesbian Safer Sex
Many lesbians, as well as bisexual women who have sex with other women,
incorrectly assume that they are not at risk for contracting sexually
transmitted infections. The growing number of HIV-positive
lesbians proves that this thinking is a potentially dangerous myth.
It is important to remember that risks of sexually transmitted
infections should be defined in terms of behaviours, not sexual
orientation. While the risk of woman-to-woman sexual transmission
of serious infections such as HIV is generally considered to be
uncommon, women who have contracted HIV or other infections
from sexual contact with men or women, or from intravenous drug
use, are still at risk of transmitting that infection to other women
if they participate in risky sexual behaviors.
Following these guidelines can help further reduce the risk of infection for lesbians and bisexual women, even if their risks are generally low.
The most important way to reduce your risk of contracting
a sexually transmitted infection is to keep your partner's body
fluids out of your body. The body fluids which lesbians
should be most careful about are blood (including menstrual blood),
vaginal fluids, and the discharges from sores caused by sexually
transmitted infections.
There are two basic rules:
- Keep your partner's body fluids out of your vagina,
anus and mouth.
- Don't touch sores that are caused by sexually transmitted
infections.
Safer sex is anything one does to lower his or her risks of getting an sexually
transmitted infection. It's about having more pleasure with less risk.
Safer sex also means protecting yourself and your partner, so don't
allow an exchange of body fluids between your bodies.
Don't have sex if you have sores or other symptoms, and
get checked for sexually transmitted infections every year, and
get the correct treatment if you become infected.
Different types of lower-risk lesbian sex:
- Masturbation
- Mutual Masturbation
- Erotic Massage
- Body Rubbing
- Kissing: Wet kissing is fairly safe unless either of
you have a sore or cut in your mouth or bleeding gums. After
you brush your teeth or floss, wait a half an hour before kissing,
and don't brush or floss harshly.
- Deep Kissing
- Oral Sex with a barrier
- Penetration with a barrier
Higher risk lesbian sex
Oral sex without barrier
protection and sharing sex toys are potential methods of transmitting
infection. Barrier methods, such as dental
dams or plastic wrap, can be used for oral sex to reduce the
risk of infection.
Clean and disinfect sex toys or cover with a fresh condom before
each use. Using latex gloves,
condoms, or finger cots for manual penetration can protect against
transmission through cuts or hangnails on fingers.
Certain groups of women have a higher risk of sexually
transmitted infections due to specific biological reasons:
1. Young women (between 15 and 24). The cervix
is not yet fully developed and may be less resistant to infection.
2. Older women (post-menopausal). Vaginal dryness
and thinning of the membrane may lead to small tears or abrasions
that can allow infections to enter the bloodstream more easily.
Lesbian and bisexual women often face additional obstacles to
staying healthy, such as dealing with discrimination and
homophobia in the health care system.
A recent report "Lesbian Health: Current Assessment and Directions
for the Future" from the Institute of Medicine, notes that fear
of discrimination may keep lesbians from seeking routine medical
care, and that the stress experienced due to homophobia
and anti-gay discrimination can have a negative impact on lesbian
health.
If You Are Considering Pregnancy
If you have sex with a man or use donated sperm, make sure he has two
HIV tests six months apart and tested negative both times.
The first test should be six months after his last possible exposure
to HIV. The donor must have no possible exposure to HIV between
his last test and donation. All licensed sperm banks test
their donors carefully and test the sperm twice.
Sex with Men
If you have sex with a man, the man must wear a condom for vaginal
and anal intercourse. Additionally, if you engage
in oral sex, the man should wear a condom, to reduce the risks
of transmitting stds. HIV can reside in in both semen and pre-ejaculate.
If you believe you have been exposed to the HIV
virus, get the HIV test. Early detection leads to early treatment
(intervention) which slows down the progression of the
virus.To be sure of your results, wait 3-6 months after
your last risk before retaking the test.
It is understandible to be scared if you think you might have
been exposed to HIV. Take a calm and realistic look at the risks
you might have taken. Regardless
of your HIV status you should practice safer sex now to protect
yourself and your parter form HIV and STD's
(Sexually Transmitted Diseases).
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