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Home  blifestyle Lesbian sex: the facts!
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Wednesday, 30 January 2008 |
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Sexual health is not just tips for gay men to avoid HIV, lesbians need to be aware of the risks of girl-on-girl intimacy.
We may all own a copy of The Whole Lesbian Sex Book but how many of us actually practice safe sex in the bedroom?
I recently visited one of Melbourne’s sexual health clinics and was appalled at the lack of information for girls who have sex with girls.
I may have left the clinic armed with free dental dams and condoms, but did I really know what sexually transmitted infections (STIs) us girls are at risk of catching and how to prevent them?
I was led to believe that the risks were minimal. Perhaps there is this false assumption that lesbians and bi-sexual women are less promiscuous than gay men or heterosexual couples. Some health practitioners would almost believe lesbians were at no risk at all.
I spoke with Dr Ruth McNair, GP and long time campaigner of lesbian sexual health in Victoria and currently heading up a research project looking at lesbian and bisexual women's attitudes and knowledge of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and the new HPV vaccine, compared with heterosexual women.
Dr McNair, well known as a leader in lesbian sexual health and a long-term member of the Australian Lesbian Medical Association (ALMA), is also facilitating a lecture on the subject as part of Midsumma.
Lesbian Health: Behind the Smoke and Mirrors is a lecture coordinated by ALMA by international lesbian health research expert Professor Tonda Hughes from Chicago’s University of Illinois. Professor Hughes will dispel myths about lesbian and bisexual women’s health, especially with respect to alcohol use and discuss some of the most recent research in the area.
What you need to know
The most prevalent STI among women is thrush (candida), a fungal infection that can be passed between female partners.
HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is one of the most common STIs and can be transmitted between women through skin-to-skin contact. HPV is also thought to be the main cause of cervical cancer.
BV (Bacterial Vaginosis) – not an STi, but common among women who have sex with women.
Hepatitis A: Can be transmitted through unprotected rimming.
Hepatitis B: Can be transmitted though cunnilingus, especially during menstruation, but more likely through drug use.
Hepatitis C: Most commonly through blood (fetish play)
The best tips for avoiding sexually transmitted diseases are to get tested, talk to your partner(s) and play safe (use condoms, dental dams, latex gloves).
Lesbian Health: Behind the Smoke and Mirrors
Seminar Rooms, The Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne, 200 Berkely, Street Carlton
February 6, 5-7pm
Details: www.almas.net.au
Further information:
Canberra run website: http://www.girl2girl.info/
Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria: http://www.glhv.org.au/
Lesbians STD.com: http://depts.washington.edu/wswstd/
www.midsumma.org.au
by ANDREA GILBEY |
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