Risk Assessment: Women who have sex with women

are you at risk?

WOMEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH WOMEN

Lesbian & gay women may not seek sexual health services for a number of reasons –

they don’t think they need it
they or others feel they are not at risk
fear of outing themselves to a healthcare professional
just never thought about it.

This group of women are thought by many NOT to be at risk of sexually transmitted infections as there is no penis involved in sex or thought NOT to require smear tests for cervical cancer screening . Both of these are misconceptions held by many people : including healthcare professionals (Stonewall 2008).

STI testing

You may be at risk of STI’s if they have had sex in the past with a male, you use sex toys without a condom covering it or don’t use barrier protection during oral sex (ie a dam).

Smears

You should attend for your routine smear tests as cervical cancer is caused by certain strains of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which lesbian women can carry.

Period control

Contraceptives can also provide good period control, may help PMS or period pains as well as giving contraception. You may wish to consider using a hormonal contraceptive to get these benefits

Please contact Sexual health to discuss ANY aspect of your sexual health