When most people think of sexually transmitted diseases, lesbians aren’t usually the first thing that comes to mind. After all, there’s no real penetration (skin-to-skin at least), so how can lesbians contract an STD?
But the truth is that lesbians can and do get STDs, which is why it’s so important to get tested on a regular basis if you’re sexually active.
How are these diseases spread and what are most common lesbian sexually transmitted diseases? We’ll answer all this and more.
How Are Sexually Transmitted Diseases Spread Among Lesbians?
Lesbians are at the same risk for many of the STDs heterosexual women are at risk for. Diseases can spread in a variety of ways, including:
- Mucosa contact
- Skin-to-skin contact
- Menstrual blood
- The exchange of vaginal fluids
- Sharing sex toys
STDs are one of the most important lesbian health issues because many falsely believe that they’re not at risk.
And lesbian STD statistics show that STD rates are three times higher among bisexual women than women who have sex exclusively with other women.
So yes, lesbians can get sexually transmitted diseases, and they are at even greater risk if they have sexual contact with women who have sex with both men and women.
5 Common Lesbian STDs
While there’s no such thing as a “lesbian STD,” there are some diseases that gay women are more vulnerable to.
Some of the most common STDs that afflict gay women include:
1. Chlamydia
One of the most common sexually transmitted illnesses is chlamydia, and lesbian women can contract it just like heterosexual women can.
This STD is caused by bacteria, and is spread through oral, vaginal or anal sex.
If left untreated, chlamydia can damage a woman’s reproductive organs, including her fallopian tubes, uterus and ovaries.
Known as the “silent infection,” this disease’s symptoms are mild, so it’s easily spread to others without the infected pers