Preventing HIV, AIDS and STIs =
Sex and U
Women who have sex with women (WSW) - What are the behaviors that place women who have sex with women (WSW) at risk of HIV infection?
Surveys of risk behaviors have been conducted in groups of WSW. These surveys have generally been surveys of convenient samples of WSW that differ in sampling, location, and definition of WSW. As a result, their findings are not generalizable to all populations of WSW. These surveys suggest that some groups of WSW have relatively high rates of high-risk behaviors, such as injection drug use and unprotected vaginal sex with gay/bisexual men and injection drug users.
What can WSW do to reduce their risk of contracting HIV?
Although female-to-female transmission of HIV apparently is rare, female sexual contact should be considered a possible means of transmission among WSW. These women need to know:
- That exposure of a mucous membrane, such as the mouth, (especially non-intact tissue) to vaginal secretions and menstrual blood is potentially infectious, particularly during early and late-stage HIV infection when the amount of virus in the blood is expected to be highest.
- That condoms should be used consistently and correctly each and every time for sexual contact with men or when using sex toys. Sex toys should not be shared. No barrier methods for use during oral sex have been evaluated as effective or approved by the FDA. However, women can use dental dams, cut-open condoms, or plastic wrap to help protect themselves from contact with body fluids during oral sex.
- Their own and their partner’s HIV status. This knowledge can help uninfected women begin and maintain behavioural changes that reduce their risk of becoming infected. For women who are found to be infected, it can assist in getting early treatment and avoiding infecting others.
Here are some additional tips to keep you safe:
- Communication is the key to satisfying sex. If you don’t think you can ask for what you want, you may not be ready to have sex with that partner.
- Drugs and alcohol can impair your judgment. Have sex when you’re sober.
- For oral sex use a dental dam, latex glove or plastic wrap.
- Always use a condom with dildos, vibrators and butt plugs.
- Never share sex toys without cleaning them or changing the condom first.
- Do not share needles for drugs, piercing or anything else.
- Dispose of gloves, condoms and dental dams properly. Turn gloves and condoms inside out as you pull them off and drop in the trash.
- Only use dental dams, condoms and other barriers once.
- Clean your sex toys with antibacterial soap after each use.
- Use only water-based lubricants.
- Oil-based lube can break down latex and render it ineffective.
- Use gloves for any contact with the vagina or anus of your partner. Be sure to use a fresh glove after touching her anus.
- Never touch your partner’s anus and then touch her vagina, whether with your hand, sex toy or tongue. Wash your hands with an antibacterial soap and put a fresh condom on the sex toys.
- If your partner has an infection, yeast, bacterial or urinary tract, see a doctor
