Below we have included some of the more important issues surrounding sexual health. If you feel we have not covered a topic which you would like to see please contact us.
Cervical smears are carried out to detect cancerous changes to the neck of your womb (cervix). Lesbians have sometimes thought that they do not need to have smears because they do not have sexual intercourse with men. This is understandable, because one risk factor for cervical cancer is the carcinogenic nature of sperm and that male/female sex can spread two types of virus that can cause cervical changes. Although this is true, lesbians must also take into account, other risk factors.
These include:
multiple partners
early pregnancy
living in urban environments
low standards of living (e.g. unemployment)
smoking and a diet low in vitamins A, C and folic acid
The human papilloma virus and the Herpes simplex virus can also be transmitted between women, especially those who use sex toys with infected partners.
Remember lesbians are not immune to cervical cancer and, therefore SHOULD be screened!
