Woman to Woman HIV & STIs

There is the myth that gay women (Lesbians) cannot contract HIV/AIDS as was the common belief that it was impossible for one woman to transfer the virus to another.

Woman-to-woman sexual practices have generally been associated with a lower risk of HIV transmission, but there have been a number of reported cases. The risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among this group has not been rigorously studied.

The few studies to date note that many women who have sex with women (WSW) engage in a number of high-risk behaviors which may increase both the risk of getting and transmitting HIV. These other risk factors, such as intravenous (i0n the vein) drug use and unprotected sex with men, may be masking HIV transmission risks of woman-to-woman sex.

Female-to-female transmission of HIV appears to be a rare occurrence. However, case reports of female-to-female transmission of HIV and the well documented risk of female-to-male transmission of HIV indicate that vaginal secretions and menstrual blood are potentially infectious and that mucous membrane (e.g., oral, vaginal) exposure to these secretions have the potential to lead to HIV infection.

To complicate matters, many lesbians are not comfortable coming out to their doctors and nurses. For many women who are closeted for economic reasons, who are bisexually active because they cannot afford to leave their husbands or families to live permanently with female lovers, who risk losing their children and extended families for an admission of homosexuality and/or HIV, or who have sex with men for money or drugs, the reality of being an "out lesbian" is remote. For these women, coming out to doctors and health care workers can be a dangerous if not impossible task. As economics, race, and drug addiction blur the lines of sexual identity, the invisibility of HIV and lesbianism in these women's communities becomes more and more entrenched. For many, the silence and isolation is unbearable.

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 women who have sex with women (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
• 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 or cut-open condoms to help protect themselves from contact with body fluids during oral sex. Plastic wrap is not advised as it is porous
• 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 avoid infecting others

Good information on risks associated with woman-to-woman HIV transmission has not been collected. In the meantime, it's best to play safe and refrain from easy assumptions about HIV and STI transmission risks.

 * Supporting Information: In 1984 in the US , Sabatini and colleagues published the first case study of suspected female-to-female transmission of HIV. Another case study was reported in 1986 by Marmor and colleagues. Still another in 1987 reported by Monzon and Capellan. In 1993, Rich and colleagues reported yet another case of female-to-female transmission of HIV. Source - Kate Morrow, Ph.D.

MSMNPA

Female Same Sex – Safer Sex Guidelines

Safer sex for lesbians, bisexual women and women who have sex with women (WSW) is a way to protect yourself from contracting or transmitting HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

But what exactly is safer sex between women? And how can you be sure you're protected? - The best way to protect yourself is to keep your partner's body fluids out of your body. These fluids include vaginal fluids, blood, menstrual blood, breast milk, and semen.

If you're sexually active, there is no 100 percent protection against contracting HIV/AIDS or a sexually transmitted infection. But these are some things you can do to make your play safer.

SAFER SEX PRACTISES:

? Masturbation (only touching yourself)
? Cybersex
? Nipple and breast stimulation when not lactating
? Erotic massage
? Body rubbing
? Kissing
? Using a sex toy with a condom (be sure to use a new condom and keep sterile if sharing sex toys)
? Cunnilingus (oral sex) with a dental dam or latex barrier. A condom can be cut lengthwise. Plastic wrap is not recommended as it is porous
? Vaginal or anal contact with a latex glove

 

UNSAFE SEXUAL PRACTISES:

? Unprotected cunnilingus, especially when a woman is bleeding
? Unprotected rimming
? Sharing sex toys without a condom
? Sharing needles
? Unprotected fellatio
? Unprotected penis/vaginal intercourse
? Unprotected penis/anal intercourse

MSMNPA

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