We can sometimes feel we’re invincible, but lesbian
and bisexual women are still at risk from sexually-transmitted
infections (STIs).
General tips
Condoms
There is a condom machine now in college where you can get
condoms for 2p in an emergency – please don’t
hoard! These will protect you from unplanned pregnancy (if
having sex with men), and from most STIs. If sharing toys,
use condoms on them and change condoms between each other.
Also change condoms if you are moving a toy from anus to vagina,
to stop the transfer of bacteria.
Dams
Condoms are important but they can’t do everything.
If you are going to be having anal or vaginal oral sex (rimming
or cunilingus), you can protect yourself from some pretty
gruesome STIs with a dam. These are rectangles of thin latex
which you hold up as a barrier between mouth and vagina/anus.
Use some lube on the reverse to reduce friction.
If you don’t have a dam to hand, you can cut open a
condom, as long as it’s not a spermicidal one (yuck!)
and use that, thought the shape is less convenient. Don’t
use cling-film – it’s porous, which rather defeats
the purpose of the exercise.
You can get dams from chemists and in an emergency there
are normally small supplies on the LGBT board and the coffee
tub outside the nurse’s room
Lube
When using condoms and dams, remember to use water-based
lube – oil degrades the latex! Condoms can tear
if there isn’t enough lubrication (and it can be very
uncomfortable!) so please remember to stock up beforehand.
(silicone-based is also ok!) Use lube on the vagina-side of
dams to reduce friction. Find emergency lube on the JCR office
door in staircase 16.
Gloves/Finger cots
Fingering should ideally be done with well trimmed & filed
nails, and wearing either latex gloves or finger cots (like
little glove fingers, that come rolled up). This prevents
the exchange of fluids, because you can have tiny little cuts
on your hands.
The basic finger-sex rule is one hand for you, one for your
partner.
Toys
Wash in antibacterial soap before use, and use condoms.
