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WOMENS’ HEALTH
Women are affected by HIV and need regular smear tests…
Don’t have sex if you have cuts or abrasions on your lips or genitals;
Touching yourself and then your partner with the same hand should be avoided , and always wash your hands afterwards.
Use a condom if having penetrative sex with a man
Lesbians & smear tests
Cervical cancer (cancer of the cervix) is one of the most common cancers in women and many women who've got it don't realise it for years. The earlier you find it, the easier it is to treat.
The Department of Health (DH) recommends that women between the ages of 20 and 64 have routine cervical smears every three to five years. You need to be registered with a GP.
Some GP’s have a misconception lesbians don’t need a smear tests. Sex with men is a significant factor but around one in five women who’ve never had heterosexual intercourse have human papillomavirus which is associated with cervical cancer developing.
Contact Terrence Higgins Trust if your GP won’t help.
Many women think there is no risk of getting sexually transmitted infections when having sex with another woman. In fact the risk of infections such as herpes, Chlamydia, and genital warts is high if your partner has an infection.
Sexually transmitted diseases can be passed through bodily fluids and touching yourself then your partner with the same hand. HIV rates are lower in women but women shouldn’t get complacent about safer sex.
Some lesbians have sex with men at some point, so it's important with men to use a condom during penetrative sex to protect against HIV, Hepatitis and other STI’s.
Women can reduce the risk:
Use condoms with sex toys and change the condom in between partners
