While the risk of transmitting HIV sexually from woman to woman is extremely low, there are other considerations lesbians and
other women who have sex with women should take into account regarding Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). If you are
sexually active outside of a mutually monogamous relationship, we recommend testing for HIV and other STDs every six months.
An honest conversation with your medical provider can help ensure adequate testing and treatment.
LESBIANS & OTHER WOMEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH WOMEN
For referrals to convenient STD testing & Hepatitis vaccination sites,
call the State of Illinois AIDS/HIV & STD Hotline anonymously at:
1.800.AID.AIDS | 1.800.243.2437 | 8AM – 10PM DAILY | SE HABLA ESPAÑOL
STATE OF ILLINOIS AIDS/HIV & STD HOTLINE 1.800.AID.AIDS (1.800.243.2437)
HIV TESTING & PREVENTION PROGRAM 773.661.0910
Funding for this publication was made
possible by funds received from the
Illinois Department of Public Health.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OUR PROGRAMS VISIT WWW.CENTERONHALSTED.ORG
Barriers & Condoms
Dental dams and plastic kitchen wrap can be used to prevent the transmission of STDs from giving and/or receiving oral sex. To
reduce your risk for contracting HIV, HPV (cell dysplasia), chlamydia and gonorrhea, it is important to change condoms or clean
toys in between partners.
Cleaning Toys
Metal & Silicone: Boil for 15 minutes to kill virus. Plastic & Rubber (not silicone): Wash with bleach solution*, rinse and dry.
Leather: Wipe down with bleach solution*, CAVIWIPES (kills HCV in 2 minutes) or other EPA approved wipes.
*Bleach solution: Ten parts water to one part bleach
Oral/Anal Gonorrhea & Chlamydia
If you give oral sex or share toys, urinating in a cup is not enough to determine if you have an STD. You could have gonorrhea or
chlamydia in your throat or anus. For this reason, you should also have a throat culture and an anal swab. While both of these
STDs can be treated if you have a pharyngeal (throat) or anal STD, treatment for infection at one site will not necessarily treat the
other. A higher dose of medication may be required than for a vaginal/cervical STD. It is recommended that treatment be given
by injection instead of pill form to cure pharyngeal and anal infections of gonorrhea.
Hepatitis A, B & C
Hepatitis A can be transmitted through infected fecal matter from anal-oral contact including oral contact with toys which have
come into contact with fecal matter.
Hepatitis B can be transmitted though infected vaginal secretions or blood entering your body though mouth, vagina or anus.
Hepatitis C can be transmitted by giving oral sex during the menstrual cycle.
STDs Transmitted Through Skin to Skin Contact
Syphilis, HPV and Herpes can be transmitted by performing and receiving oral sex, and from vulva to vulva contact (tribadism/
tribbing/scissoring).
Yeast Infection, Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) and Trichomoniasis
Women can transmit yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis by sharing toys without cleaning or changing condoms
Vaccinations
Vaccines for some types of HPV are available. A combination vaccine series for Hepatitis A & B can prevent a person from
contracting both viruses even when exposed.
Transmission of STDs occurs only if your partner has the disease. Proper use of condoms protects against
to skin contact diseases like Syphilis, Genital Human Papillomavirus (HPV), and Herpes. With all STDs, it’s possible for
symptoms to go unrecognized or not appear at all. Regular STD testing is recommended for all sexually active people.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES: QUICK FACTS
For referrals to convenient STD testing & Hepatitis vaccination sites,
call the State of Illinois AIDS/HIV & STD Hotline anonymously at:
1.800.AID.AIDS | 1.800.243.2437 | 8AM – 10PM DAILY | SE HABLA ESPAÑOL
STATE OF ILLINOIS AIDS/HIV & STD HOTLINE 1.800.AID.AIDS (1.800.243.2437)
HIV TESTING & PREVENTION PROGRAM 773.661.0910
Funding for this publication was made
possible by funds received from the
Illinois Department of Public Health.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OUR PROGRAMS VISIT WWW.CENTERONHALSTED.ORG
GONORRHEA transmission: unprotected oral, anal, and vaginal sex
CHLAMYDIA symptoms: burning urination, discharge, sore throat (through oral sex)
long term: damage of urethra and urinary tract, sterility, throat damage if contracted from giving oral
treatment: curable with antibiotics (injection may be needed for throat/rectal infection)
test: urine test and/or swab test of penis, throat, anus, or vagina
TRICH transmission: unprotected vaginal sex
symptoms: burning urination, discharge
long term: damage of urethra and urinary tract, sterility
treatment: curable with antibiotics
test: urine test and/or swab test of penis or vagina
GENITAL HPV transmission: skin to skin genital contact with infected area
symptoms: genital warts; abnormal cellular changes
long term: abnormal cellular changes may progress to genital cancers
treatment: removed surgically or frozen off by doctor. warts may reappear after treatment
test: visual, anal/vaginal pap smear every year or so to check for precancerous cells
HERPES transmission: oral, anal, vaginal sex or kissing, skin to skin contact with herpes sores or
cells
symptoms: blisters on genitals, thighs, buttocks, or mouth
long term: individuals vary, many continue to have regular outbreaks
treatment: no cure, but suppressive medications can reduce severity and number of outbreaks
test: visual, culture from sore, or blood test
HEPATITIS B transmission: unprotected oral, anal, and vaginal sex or blood contact
symptoms: may occur an average of 12 weeks after exposure
long term: about 10% of infected adults become chronic
treatment: bedrest; once you’ve had it, you won’t get it again; a vaccine is
available
test: blood test
SYPHILIS transmission: oral, anal, and vaginal sex. direct skin to skin contact with chancre
symptoms: primary: painless chancre on genitals, mouth, or rectum; secondary: rash on hands/feet
long term: brain damage, nerve damage, can be fatal
treatment: curable with antibiotics, but long-term damage can be irreversible if left untreated
test: swab test of sore, blood test
