Woman to Woman - Safe Sex Information

Wet Kissing:

Wet kissing is safe unless you have cuts or sores on your lips, mouth or gums. Blood-borne viruses (BBVs) like hepatitis B and C and HIV are transmitted by blood, not saliva. Be aware that cleaning teeth, flossing gums or eating hard foods may damage your gums leading to bleeding. Wait 1 hour after these activities before engaging in wet kissing. Do not kiss anyone if you have cold sores.

Touching:

Breast kissing, licking, sucking, rubbing or biting is safe as long as there is no blood or breast milk present. Massage, dry kissing and body to body rubbing are all safe.

Vaginal or Anal Fingering / Fisting:

Use latex gloves with water-based lubricant to reduce the risk of sexually transmissible infections (STIs)/BBVs. Try not to put your fingers from vagina to mouth or vagina to anus as this may also transfer STIs from one place to another. Be aware that cuts or sores on fingers put you at more risk of contracting a BBV, and long fingernails can cause cuts and scratches.

Oral Sex:

Oral sex is a high risk activity. Vaginal secretions can contain hepatitis B, HIV and possibly bacterial STIs, and STIs/BBVs can be transmitted with anal-oral sex. If there is menstrual blood present there is a greater risk of passing on BBVs. Dams (latex squares) reduce the risk of transmission of STIs/BBVs. Remember to cover the entire vulval or anal area as this will help protect you from herpes as well. A condom split up the side can be used in place of a dam, and water based lube on the body side of the dam can increase sensitivity.

Sex Toys:

Sex toys, like dildos and vibrators, are safe as long as you don’t share them. If you are going to share your toys always use condoms to cover them. Use a new condom every time another person uses the toy or when switching between vagina, anus and mouth. Be aware that rough sex with toys can lead to bleeding and may be a source of BBV transmission.

S&M Activities:

S&M activities are safe as long as there is no blood involved. Piercing, scarring, branding, scratching etc can lead to transmission of BBVs if blood from one person is transferred to another. Always clean your equipment with a bleach solution – or better still have new equipment for each person. Do not let faeces or urine, either yours or someone else’s, get into your body.

Remember that menstrual blood can be a source of infection.

If you are considering a pregnancy be sure to get tested and treated for STIs beforehand, and screen your sperm donor!

Practising safe sex reduces the risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmissible infections (STIs).

Page last updated Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:37