Woman to woman transmission

Low risk doesn’t mean no risk.

Lesbians and bisexuals are rarely a focus when it comes to HIV infection and safe-sex education. Lesbian sex can be easy to dismiss in the face of other types of higher risk sexual activities. But low risk doesn’t mean no risk and lesbians (or women who have sex with women) do engage in activities that carry some risk for the transmission of HIV and other STI’s.

Although “data on transmission of HIV between women are scarce and incongruent”, there have been reports of suspected cases of woman-to-woman transmission. In 2003, a female-to-female transmission of HIV was officially documented in the online journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases.1

How HIV can be transmitted between women

• HIV can be transmitted when blood (including menstrual blood) or vaginal fluids from an HIV positive individual enters the bloodstream of another adult.
• Sharing of unprotected sex toys can allow for transmission of HIV and other STIs through vaginal fluids.
• Cuts or sores on or in the mouth can be points of transmission during oral sex, whether it is vaginal or anal. Oral sex when the receiver is menstruating also increases risk.
• Cuts on fingers when fingering or fisting can lead to infection. Any tearing or cuts within the vagina or anus increases risk.
• S&M that might lead to bleeding is also high risk. Play-piercing is an example, especially when needles are shared.

Risky activities for women include: oral sex without a barrier (particularly if there are sores or bleeding gums present in the mouth), sharing dildos or vibrators without a barrier, fingering or fisting without a latex glove, sharing needles, and unprotected sex with men.

Safer lesbian sex tips

• Using dental dams for oral sex lowers the risk of infection when giving or receiving oral sex.
• Finger cots or latex gloves can be used to lower risks when fingering or a fisting.
• Lube up. To avoid any tearing or cuts within the vagina or anus, good lubrication is always recommended (water-based lubes are best). It’s also a good idea to keep fingernails neatly trimmed.
• Avoid ingesting vaginal fluids or menstrual blood.
• Use condoms when using dildos or vibrators with your lover. Change condoms when taking turns, and make sure to clean the dildo or vibrator before and after.
• Avoid any S&M that involves blood and use clean unshared needles.

No risk activities for women include: Hugging, massaging (excluding the vagina), masturbating or watching your lover masturbate, phone sex, cyber sex, using dildos or toys without sharing them, dry kissing, tribadism (rubbing bodies together), or anything that doesn’t allow for the exchange of bodily fluids.


Sources:
1. Kwakwa, Helena A. and Ghobrial, M. W. “Female-to-Female Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus”. Clinical Infectious Diseases. Retrieved April 29, 2010. http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10.1086/345462?prevSearch=%2528female%2BHIV%2Btransmission%2529%2BAND%2B%255Bjournal%253A%2Bcid%255D&searchHistoryKey

This article was submitted by Jess Howat. Jess was a practicum student at AIDS Calgary in March. She is currently working towards a Communication Studies degree between SAIT and the University of Calgary.