When lesbian tennis legend Martina Navratilova was diagnosed with an HPV (human papillomavirus) type of throat cancer, it got me thinking: where is the sex education for lesbians?
The lesbian community, as a whole, tends to feel pretty safe when it comes to sexually transmitted diseases and infections. I’ve been pretty relaxed about it all, myself. Whenever a lesbian brings up the question, “is there something I should be doing to protect myself during sex?” it’s usually met with “maybe a dental dam?” and a “you and your partner could get tested, I guess,” and a lot of uncomfortable shuffling and crickets.
I’ve never met a lesbian who consistently uses dental dams. I’ve never met a lesbian who wanted to “kill the mood” by asking her sexual partner to a romantic date at the GP before having sex. We forget that some women we have sex with are currently having sex with men, too. Our community is not immune from disease and infection associated with female-male or male-male sex.
Are we too relaxed? Too scared to look uncool by whipping out the precautionary measures? And what are lesbians at risk of contracting from female-female sex, anyway?
Let’s put a spotlight on HPV, considering Navatrilova’s diagnosis. According to the Cancer Council, HPV is “a common sexually transmitted infection which usually shows no symptoms and goes away by itself, but can sometimes cause serious illness.”
HPV is responsible for almost all cases of genital warts and cervical cancer; 90 percent of anal cancers; 78 percent of vaginal cancers; 25 percent of vulvar cancers; 60 percent of oropharyngeal cancers (cancers of the back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils).
There are different HPV types. Some are “low-risk” and some “high-risk.” Low-risk types cause genital warts and do not cause cancer. Some high-risk types, like Navratilova’s diagnosis, can cause serious illness, including cancer.
How is it spread? “Through intimate contact with genital skin…You can be exposed to HPV the first time sexual activity occurs or from only one sexual partner.”
The immune system usually clears HPV from the body. However, in high-risk types, it can become a ‘persistent’ infection. Persistent HPV infection can cause abnormal cells to develop, potentially leading to a range of cancers – the most common being cervical.
STDs can be transmitted by skin-to-skin contact between women, such as herpes. There are also infections that can spread through vaginal fluid and/or the anus. Infections include bacterial vaginosis (BV), trichomonas (trich), chlamydia and gonorrhea. There have also been reports of HIV and syphilis being spread between females.
Herpes: “Both oral and genital herpes are mostly asymptomatic or unrecognized but can cause painful blisters or ulcers at the site of infection, ranging from mild to severe. Infection is lifelong, and symptoms can recur over many years. Some medications are available to reduce the severity and frequency of symptoms, but they cannot cure the infection,” according to WHO.
Bacterial vaginosis: “Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a condition caused by changes in the amount of certain types of bacteria in your vagina. BV is common, and any woman can get it. BV is easily treatable with medicine from your doctor or nurse. If left untreated, it can raise your risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and cause problems during pregnancy,” according to Women’s Health.
Trichomoniasis: “Trichomoniasis (or “trich”) is a very common STD caused by infection with Trichomonas vaginalis (a protozoan parasite). Although symptoms vary, most people who have trich cannot tell they have it,” according to the CDC. “Women with trich may notice itching, burning, redness or soreness of the genitals; discomfort when peeing; and a clear, white, yellowish, or greenish vaginal discharge (i.e., thin discharge or increased volume) with a fishy smell.”
Chlamydia: “Chlamydia is a common STD that can cause infection among both men and women. It can cause permanent damage to a woman’s reproductive system. This can make it difficult or impossible to get pregnant later. Chlamydia can also cause a potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy that occurs outside the womb),” according to the CDC. “Women with symptoms may notice an abnormal vaginal discharge; and a burning sensation when peeing.”
Gonorrhea: “Gonorrhea is an STD that can cause infection in the genitals, rectum, and throat. It is very common, especially among young people ages 15-24 years,” according to the CDC. “Symptoms in women can include a painful or burning sensation when peeing; increased vaginal discharge; and vaginal bleeding between periods.”
HIV: “HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome),” according to the CDC. “Most people have flu-like symptoms within 2 to 4 weeks after infection. Symptoms may last for a few days or several weeks. Having these symptoms alone doesn’t mean you have HIV…The only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested.”
Syphilis: “Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can cause serious health problems without treatment. Infection develops in stages (primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary). Each stage can have different signs and symptoms,” according to the CDC. The primary stage results in sore(s) at the location syphilis entered your body: around the penis, vagina, anus, rectum, lips or mouth. They are firm, round and painless. The tertiary stage of untreated syphilis, which could occur 10-30 years after the infection began, damages your internal organs and may result in death.
Different sexual acts carry different risks:
- Oral-vaginal/vulval contact can spread STDs like herpes, syphilis and gonorrhea.
- Finger-vaginal contact can spread herpes, HPV and bacterial vaginosis, trichomonas, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.
- Oral-anal contact can spread syphilis, herpes, hepatitis A and intestinal infections.
- Genital-genital/body contact can spread HPV, pubic lice (crabs) and herpes.
- Insertive sex (sex toys) can spread trichomonas, chlamydia and gonorrhea, herpes, HPV and other STDs.
How can we protect ourselves from STDs and infections during sex?
- Using external or internal condoms on shared sex toys, or do not share toys.
- Using gloves (a finger cot) when fingering/touching genitals.
- Limiting your sexual partners or practising monogamy.
- Using dental dams or plastic wrap if there are any lesions or warts around the genitals.
- Avoid contact if sores are present on the genitals.
- Having pap tests and getting tested for STDs regularly, especially if you’re not in a monogamous relationship.
- Getting familiar with the sight/touch of your genitals to check for any unusual changes, and seeking medical advice if anything seems abnormal.
