Womens Sexual Health
Women who have sex with other women can pass on or get STIs. Know how to protect yourself.
Sometimes, lesbian and bisexual women feel that they don't need to be tested. This is not the case.
A recent survey of lesbian and bisexual women by Stonewall revealed that half of those who had been screened had an STI. Of those women who had an STI, one in four had only had sex with women in the previous five years.
Protecting yourself
'Any one-on-one contact, such as oral sex or using the same hand when touching yourself and then your partner, can put you at risk'
- If you're using sex toys, use a new condom for each partner or between penetration of different orifices. Sex toys should be washed with soap and water between sessions.
- Avoid oral sex if either of you has any cuts or sores in the mouth or on the lips, or use a dental dam.
- Some infections can be transmitted by hands, fingers and mutual vulval rubbing - wash your hands before and after sex.
- Wear latex gloves and use plenty of water-based lubricant for vaginal and anal fisting.
Vaginal Health
The vagina is self-cleansing so there's no need to wash inside (douching). Vaginal soreness and vulval irritation can be caused by over use of perfumed soaps, bubble baths and shower gels.
After going to the toilet, always wipe from front to back (from vagina to anus).
STIs and other infections
Thrush
Thrush is caused by an overgrowth of yeast called candida. Symptoms may include vulval and vaginal itching, pain and soreness on penetration, a burning sensation when passing urine and a thick, white discharge.
Thrush can be triggered by wearing tight clothing, using perfumed soap or bubble bath, taking antibiotics and, sometimes, having sex.
It's possible for women to transmit thrush during sex through touching and sharing sex toys. Thrush can be treated with medicated cream and tablets which can be bought from a chemist. Go to your GP if your symptoms persist.
Genital herpes
This is caused by a virus, which can spread if you have vaginal, anal or oral sex, or through sharing sex toys.
Symptoms include painful blisters and ulcers around the genital area, although some women may have no symptoms. After one occurrence, the virus becomes dormant but can come back in the future. There's no ‘cure’ once you've been infected as the virus remains in your body for life, but you can remain symptom-free.
Anti-viral tablets can help the healing process.
Genital warts
These are fleshy growths in the vulval and anal region. They may be itchy but are usually painless.
They are caused by certain strains of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which are usually sexually acquired via skin contact.
Women with genital warts do not need more regular smear tests than those without. There are a variety of treatment options including freezing and medicated creams.
HPV can stay in your body for years and warts can return after being treated.
Trichomonas Vaginalis (TV)
TV can be passed between women during any sexual activity that involves the exchange of vaginal fluid.
Symptoms include a frothy discharge, discomfort when passing urine, vulval soreness, and sometimes an unpleasant vaginal odour. Some women don’t have any symptoms.
TV is treated with antibiotics.
Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea
These STIs are caused by bacteria, which can infect the cervix, rectum, throat and urethra. There may be a discharge but usually there are no symptoms.
If the conditions are not treated, the bacteria may lead to an infection in the fallopian tubes called Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). Untreated chlamydia can lead to infertility so it's important to stay protected and get tested.
These infections can be passed between women through shared sex toys, hands and by rubbing vulvas together.
Treatment is with antibiotics.
Syphilis
Syphilis is a bacterial infection that causes a painless ulcer, usually in the genital area. It will disappear on its own but other symptoms may appear. These can include a rash on the body and swollen glands.
These too will disappear leaving no symptoms, but the bacteria will stay present. If it is not treated, syphilis can cause serious nerve and body organ damage later in life.
In its early stages, syphilis is extremely infectious and can be passed on by close skin contact during sex.
Treatment is with antibiotic injections or tablets.
Get tested!
If you think you've got any of the symptoms above or are worried you may have an STI, speak to your GP or visit an STI clinic. Getting tested regularly is a good idea to ensure you have a healthy sex life. NHS services are free.