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It is important to look after
your sexual health and well-being. This brochure dispels some
of the myths around lesbians' sexual health and discusses
the importance of having regular Pap smears.
Lesbians and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
It is a myth that lesbians are not at risk of STIs.
There are cases of women transmitting Human Immunodeficiency
Virus (HIV), human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes and syphilis
to other women. In theory, women could also transmit chlamydia
and gonorrhoea to other women. The vaginal infection bacterial
vaginosis (BV) is more common among lesbian women. It is still
not certain if BV is transmitted through sex.
If left undetected, STIs can lead to serious complications
such as pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and
infertility.
Other infections that can be sexually transmitted include
hepatitis A, B and rarely C. The risk of transmission of various
infections is dependent on specific sexual practices and other
behaviours such as sharing sex toys or injecting equipment.
Therefore, it is important to find a health professional with
whom you feel comfortable talking to about your risks and
whether you should consider having tests for STIs.
Safer sex practices
When you enter a new sexual relationship talk to your partner
about who they have had sex with in the past. This can help
you find out if you may be at risk of contracting a STI. Talking
honestly can also give you the chance to discuss what sexual
practices you prefer.
You can reduce your risk of contracting an STI by:
- Using dams during oral/vaginal and oral/anal sex
- Using latex gloves and water based lubricant when touching/penetrating
the vagina/anus
- Using condoms and water based lubricant when sharing vibrators,
dildos and other sex aids
- Having a sexual health check when starting a new relationship
- Asking a new partner to have a sexual health check.
You can have a sexual health check at your doctor's surgery,
sexual health clinic or family planning clinic.
What are dams?
Dams are thin latex sheets that go over the vaginal or anal
area to act as a barrier during oral/vaginal or oral/anal
sex.
Using dams:
- Do not reuse or share dams
- Use one side of a dam
- Use a new dam if switching between oral/vaginal and oral/anal
sex
- Use a water-based lubricant on the underside of the dam
to increase sensitivity
- Store dams in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Dams come in a variety of colours and flavours and can be
obtained from chemists and sexual health and family planning
clinics. If dams are unavailable an unlubricated condom can
be cut up and used.
Cervical cancer
Approximately 340 women die of cervical cancer in Australia
every year. The cervix is the entrance to the uterus or womb.
Up to 90% of cervical cancer cases could be prevented if women
had a Pap smear every two years.
There are a number of risk factors for cervical cancer:
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV): HPV is the virus responsible
for warts. Some strains of HPV are sexually transmitted
and can infect the genital area. The virus is very common
but most people never develop visible warts. The vast majority
of women who develop cervical cancer have been exposed to
particular strains of genital HPV. Genital HPV is transmitted
through skin to skin contact of the genital area.
- Age: A woman's risk increases with age.
- Smoking: Smoking significantly increases a woman's risk
(up to four times that of non-smokers).
- Not having regular Pap smears: Three our of four women
who develop cervical cancer have never had a Pap smear or
do not have regular two yearly Pap smears.
What is a Pap smear?
A Pap smear is a screening test that detects early changes
in cells of the cervix. Cervical cancer can usually be prevented
if these changes are found and successfully treated. A Pap
smear is conducted by a health professional (usually a doctor
or nurse). It involves:
- Placing an instrument called a speculum into the vagina
so the cervix can be clearly seen
- Cells are wiped from the cervix using a small spatula
and/or brush
- Cells are smeared on a slide and sent to a laboratory
for testing.
What is the Pap smear register?
The register keeps a confidential history of your Pap smear
results and sends you a reminder if you are overdue for your
next smear. Results of your smear are automatically sent to
the register. If you do not wish to have your details forwarded
to the register you can tell your health professional at the
time of the smear. For further information contact: 1800 777
790.
Lesbians and Pap smears
Lesbians are less likely to have had regular Pap smears.
This may be due to:
- A personal belief that there is no risk of STIs and cervical
cancer
- Not being able to afford it
- Being told by health professionals that lesbians don't
need Pap smears.
- Not routinely visiting a health professional for other
reasons (eg. for contraception)
- Difficulties finding a suitable health professional
- Previous experience of homophobia or fear of homophobia
Early changes in the cervix that can progress into cervical
cancer have been found in lesbians. Current national recommendations
are that all women aged between 18 and 70 who have ever had
sex need to have a Pap smear every two years. Whilst the risk
of cervical cancer for women who have only ever had sex with
women is uncertain, it is advisable to discuss with a health
professional knowledgeable in the area of sexual health whether
you are at risk of cervical cancer and should consider having
a Pap smear.
If you experience symptoms like bleeding between periods,
after menopause or following sexual activity or abnormal discharge
you should see a health professional, even if your previous
Pap smear result was normal.
Finding a health professional
A health professional who understands your health issues
as a lesbian is important. To find someone suitable you can:
- Ask friends
- Look for advertisements in the gay and lesbian press
- Contact the organisations listed on the back of this
brochure.
If you have had a negative experience with a health professional
you can make a complaint to the Health Rights Commission.
The Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland can also be
contacted for discrimination issues.
For more information:
Women's Health Queensland Wide – Health Information
Line
(07) 3839 9988
1800 017 676 (toll free outside Brisbane)
www.womhealth.org.au
Family Planning Queensland
(07) 3250 0240
www.fpq.com.au
Queensland Health – Sexual Healthline
07 3240 5881
www.health.qld.gov.au/sexhealth/
Gay and Lesbian Welfare Association
Counselling and referral, 7pm-10pm - (07) 3252 2997
1800 184 527 (toll free outside Brisbane)
www.glwa.org.au
Open Doors (supports lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
young people and their families)
(07) 3257 7660
www.opendoors.net.au
Health Rights Commission
(07) 3234 0272
1800 077 308 (toll free outside Brisbane)
www.hrc.qld.gov.au
Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland
1300 130 670
www.adcq.qld.gov.au
Queensland Health Pap Smear Register
1800 777 790
This brochure was jointly developed by:
Women's Health Queensland Wide
165 Gregory Terrace, Spring Hill
PO Box 665 Spring Hill Q 4004
Telephone: (07) 3839 9962
Email: whcb@womhealth.org.au
Web: www.womhealth.org.au
Family Planning Queensland
100 Alfred Street
PO Box 215 Fortitude Valley Q 4006
Telephone: (07) 3250 0240
Email: enquiries@fpq.com.au
Web: www.fpq.com.au
We would like to thank Queensland Health for funding the
development and printing of this brochure.
©Women's Health Queensland Wide and Family Planning
Queensland
December 2004
Women's Health Queensland Wide Inc. and Family
Planning Queensland have made every effort to ensure this
information is accurate. However, they accept no responsibility
for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies in respect of the
information contained in the material provided by Women's
Health Queensland Wide Inc. and Family Planning Queensland
nor is the provision of the material by Women's Health Queensland
Wide Inc. and Family Planning Queensland to be construed as
any representation that there are no other materials or information
available in relation to the information provided. Further,
Women's Health Queensland Wide Inc. and Family Planning Queensland
accept no responsibility to persons who may rely upon this
information for whatever purpose.
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