Useful (almost) to all: the rules of safe lesbian sex
"So then you do not need to be protected at all!" - said my gynecologist friend, having learned that she has sex only with women. Unfortunately, there is very little Russian-language information about protection against STIs in female sex and it is not always known even to specialists. If heterosexual partners are often told about safe penetrating sex, and organizations fighting HIV are actively working with homosexual men, then sex between women remains as if on the sidelines. At the same time, all practitioners who have sex with women are at risk of becoming infected with HIV and other STIs if they do not follow the safety rules. Moreover, due to the lack of information on protection, their risks can be assessed as particularly high. Together with the physician - obstetrician-gynecologist Kristina Pozryayeva (N. I. Pirogov Medical Clinic, MBUZ “TRB-1”), we have compiled a detailed guide to safe female sex - which in fact is useful even for heterosexual people.
In the text for short used abbreviation of WSW - "women who have sex with women." Of course, not everyone who has a vagina defines themselves as women - and not all people who define themselves as women have a vagina. In any case, the information from the article is useful to people with different gender identities - on both sides of the sexual act.
Why is it important to be protected
There is little information about safe female sex, and there are two reasons for this. Firstly, the scientific community for a long time did not consider sex between women "significant" - and therefore, did not pay special attention to its study. Secondly, women themselves could hide their orientation from doctors and other specialists due to fear of condemnation. All this contributed not only to the silence of the topic of female sex (and specific practices) and related problems, but also made it impossible to collect adequate statistics. So, among fem- and LGBT activists there is an opinion that the data on the frequency of STI transmission among women are greatly underestimated. And since there is no real statistics, the problem is easy to underestimate.
For example, American journalist and LGBT activist Kathy Belge believes that the Centers for Disease Control Prevention in the United States often ignores the factor of HIV infection through a woman’s homosexual relationships. According to Katie, in cases where the same woman had heterosexual contact or she took drugs, these factors will be indicated as the cause of the infection.
Nevertheless, STIs are transmitted in female sex, as in any other. For example, as stated in the Lesbian AIDS Project study, "WSW who believe that their orientation does not have a small risk are especially at risk of getting HIV." Taking care of safety is worth all women who have sex life: ordinary microbes that live on their hands, such as staphylococcus, can disrupt the balanced flora of the vagina and cause inflammation.
What is WSF sex safe?
It is considered safe sex, in which the risks of contracting an STI are minimized. This can be done through "biological fluids": saliva, breast milk, and most often - blood, vaginal and rectal secretions. It is easy to exchange the latter: there may be imperceptible sores on the hands (for example, burrs or microcracks under the nails), and the edges of the shortly cut nails can be damaged by the vaginal mucosa. It should be understood that both parties are at risk: for example, during cunnilingus, HPV can be transmitted to someone who touches the genitals with their mouths, while they are infected, they can infect a partner with a virus through microranes on the fingers and genitals; imperceptible scratches can be dangerous even with tribadism.
So, in order to reduce the possibility of infection, it is necessary to use barrier protection means: latex gloves, fingertips and napkins, and condoms for sex toys. Each remedy can only be used individually. Gynecologist Kristina Potareyeva notes that a common mistake in WSW sex is to transfer a sex toy from one partner to another without changing the condom. This negates the whole point of protection. Of course, the condom in this case should be replaced, and even better - use different toys for different partners. And finally, you need to follow basic rules: thoroughly wash and disinfect hands and sex toys (before, after and during), regularly visit a gynecologist and do tests.
We add that the concept of safe sex should include psychological security. This important topic deserves a separate discussion, but if briefly, the integral components of sexual safety are the opportunity to openly discuss the process and to observe the principle of consent.
What STIs make WSF?
With unprotected female sex, you can get almost all the same STIs as with heterosexual contacts. The authors of a brochure prepared by the Russian LGBT Network highlight the following risks for WSW: HIV, hepatitis B and C viruses, herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, human papillomavirus. The gynecologist Kristina Potareyeva adds syphilis, ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis, trichomoniasis to this list. At the same time, the specialist notes that the frequency of distribution of various STIs depends on the situation in each specific region.
“HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C viruses are recommended to be tested every six months - even if you practice only protected sex or you have only one regular partner. The rest of the tests are two weeks after any unprotected sex. I also highly recommend To undergo a joint survey with a new partner or partner before starting a sexual relationship. I understand that this is not always a realistic scenario - but there’s definitely a reason to strive for it, ”explains Potryacheva.
What else you need to know about protection
It is very important to choose the right lubricant, since an improper means can, on the contrary, damage the glove, the condom or the surface of the toy. Orientation is simple: you need to know that lubricants are water-based, silicone and fat-based. Water lubricants are compatible with all means of protection and sex toys, silicone is not suitable for silicone sex toys, and fat-based lubricants destroy protective equipment and toys, so you should not use them.
With disinfectants, the situation is ambiguous. On the one hand, sanitizing hands and sex toys is important. At the same time, with abundant use, disinfectants kill and flush out the healthy vaginal flora, making the mucosa more traumatic and susceptible to infection. Potryacheva notes that this still does not replace barrier protection.
Gloves and wipes can only be used individually and only once - as well as condoms. Remedies must be changed constantly during sex and before each act: vaginal or anal, penetrating or non-penetrating. If possible, choose different toys for different partners. If you are using a sex toy during sex with a partner or women, be sure to change the condom or protective cloth.
How to find a friend gynecologist and why to look for him
Regular examinations at the gynecologist will help to preserve health, avoid the development of diseases or surgeries, find out which tests you need, and also receive individual recommendations for protecting health. It is recommended to register for a routine inspection once or twice a year, even in the absence of health complaints. In addition, you should contact your gynecologist if you notice the following symptoms: a change in the type of vaginal discharge (heavy, yellow, yellow-green, bloody outside of menstruation), an unpleasant smell, itching, burning in the genital area, abdominal pain, new growths on the genital lips, discomfort during sexual intercourse.
In Russia, these traditional recommendations turn into a traditional problem for lesbian, bi and pansexual women: how to find an understanding and competent gynecologist? In theory, a competent specialist should not only respect all sex practices other than penetrating heterosexual contact, but also be sufficiently aware of the specifics of working with clients of different orientations. But in practice, to find such a doctor is not easy, even in large cities and paid clinics, not to mention the regions.
At the same time, in order for the consultation and, if necessary, the treatment, to be of high quality, it is important to be able to honestly tell the specialist about your sex life. The most reliable way to get contacts of a tolerant doctor in Russia is to ask a gynecologist to recommend to LGBT organizations. Despite the fact that they are mainly engaged in educational activities, provide legal and psychological support, in practice it is also possible to request contact with friends.
You can also try to get information about friends and gynecologists in local feminist organizations. And finally, a less reliable, but still existing option is to seek friends of the specialist in large feminist public groups for contacts. The request can be published anonymously or simply use the lists of doctors maintained in such communities - for example, the “White list of gynecologists” in the VC-public “Sister Sister”. The main thing - consider any information critically.
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