Traditionally, it is believed that women who have sex with women are less likely to contract diseases.

But research shows that lesbians can get sexually transmitted diseases like hepatitis and genital herpes just as much as heterosexual women. Traditionally, it is believed that women who have sex with women are less likely to contract sexually transmitted diseases.

However, recent research by scientists believes that homosexual women are as likely to contract sexually transmitted diseases as other women. Researchers compared the medical histories and sexual behavior of 408 lesbians and 423 heterosexual women who attended a sexual health clinic in Sydney between 1999 and 1998. From the comparison, it was found that 7% of lesbians said they never had sex with men. However, they tend to have sexual relationships with gay or bisexual men and thus have more sexual partners than normal women throughout their lives. Researchers are calling for more research into STDs among lesbians.

HIV and AIDS

Lesbians or bisexuals are not at increased risk of HIV infection during same-sex sex, but some women are:

Some lesbians have unsafe sex with men

Some lesbians inject drugs and share needles

Some forms of lesbian sex are inherently unsafe (more details below)

Lesbians hoping to become pregnant face choice of semen donor

What is "safe sex"

"Safe sex" is behavior that involves no risk of contracting HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases. HIV is found in the blood, body fluids and breast milk of infected people. When a certain amount of these fluids enter the body of a healthy person, HIV is spread. HIV transmission through sexual intercourse is most common between men and between men and women, but it can also occur between women, although this is often overlooked in safe sex practices.

So "safe sex" means avoiding all body fluids containing viruses from entering the body. Of course, you cannot infect your partners.

Safe behaviors include: hugging, touching, rubbing, masturbating, etc. Sex toys are also acceptable, as long as you put a condom on them and change the condoms when using them.