Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
This is the most common infection lesbian women are likely
to pick up. It basically covers any bacterial infection of
the vagina, and it is easily spread through lesbian sex.
Genital Herpes
This is not life-threatening but is still pretty gross. Genital
Herpes is extremely infectious, and is caused by the same
or related virus that causes cold sores on the mouth, so if
your partner has cold-sores don’t let them anywhere
near you without using a dam with extreme care! As with most
viruses, there is no cure, and it will stay in your bloodstream
for life, popping up when your immune system is low. Look
out for small blisters on your genitals with clear yellowish
fluid in them. These will burst, leaving painful ulcers which
will then scab over and heal within a couple of weeks. Protect
yourself with a Dam.
Genital Warts
Also a bit gross, but it’s important these are treated
as they can in some cases lead to cervical cancer. Symptoms
are raised warts around the vagina and in some cases the anus.
They can also appear on the cervix. They are highly contagious,
so use a dam and condoms to protect yourself and your partner.
The treatment isn’t much fun, outbreaks can last months,
and may recur for life, so prevention is definitely better
than a cure, ladies!
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is more difficult for lesbian women to catch, but
for bisexual women having sex with men, it is one of the most
common, and often presents no symptoms. It’s caused
by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria, and can cause some
nasty damage to your reproductive organs – it’s
the most common preventable cause of infertility in women.
Get tested at the GUM clinic if you’ve had unprotected
sex (I also have a couple of postal test kits if you need
one). Symptoms may include cystitis, a change in vaginal discharge,
or pain in your lower abdomen, but it may not present until
too late. Prevent infection by using dams and condoms.
Syphilis
Another more difficult one for lesbians to catch, but not
impossible. It’s making a comeback in the UK though,
so bisexual women, and women you have sex with bisexual women,
should take care. If it goes untreated, syphilis can be fatal,
so get yourself checked out if you’ve had unprotected
sex. Look out for red lesions developing on your labia (lips
of the vagina), anus or on your partner’s penis. Later
stages of the infection include a red rash on the body, fever,
sore throat and aching muscles.
It can be treated with antibiotics in the early stages, and
you can prevent infection by using condoms and dams.
Gonorrhoea
Another bacterial infection with fairly gruesome results.
Lesbian women are again less likely to catch it than straight
and bisexual women. It’s passed by unprotected sex,
and often shows no outward symptoms. In some cases, there
may be pain in urinating and a greater than normal vaginal
discharge. There may also be a throat infection in cases of
oral sex with an infected partner. This can close up your
fallopian tubes, so get checked out at the GUM if you think
you’re at risk.
HIV/AIDS
Female to female infection is rare, but little research has
been done. There is no cure for the HIV virus, but good anti-retrovirals
exist to extend and improve quality of life. The HIV virus
is spread through exchange of bodily fluids, whether this
is sex without a condom or sharing blood/needles. There is
a 1-hour HIV/AIDS clinic nearby where you can be tested (see
the Local Services).
Cervical Smears?
Yes, lesbian and bisexual women do need to have smear tests!
You can still get cervical cancer if you’ve never had
sex with men, so look after yourself and get yourself checked
out. If you’ve been misadvised by doctors who say you
don’t need one, be firm – it’s your right
to be well-looked after and healthy. In Oxford, you can get
them at the GUM clinic, or the Alec Turnbull Family Planning
Clinic (see Local
Services), or see your GP.
If this hasn’t put you off for life, good! Sex
is meant to be enjoyed, and it will be better if you can talk
to your partner, and both look after each other and yourselves.
