| Safe Sex
- Yes Lesbians Have To Practice It Too! It's all too easy to become blasé about practicing safe sex when you are a lesbian, but just because lesbians are at a lower risk of transmitting - or contracting - HIV, and other STD's, this does not mean that you are at no risk at all! You can still be exposed to nasty things such as Herpes, or Hepatitis, as both you and your partner can easily catch them by exchanging bodily fluids such as vaginal fluids, menstruation fluids when you are on your period, and even breast milk if your partner has recently had a baby. In the heat of the moment it can be all too easy to forget. We need to show that lesbians are sensible and take precautions to protect ourselves. Gay men were hated for the spread of AIDS and HIV, and, although heterosexual couples are now the worst offenders for spreading HIV, the last thing we want is for a rise in lesbian HIV to hit the headlines just because we didn't practice safe sex. If you don't understand how us lesbians can be seen to be protecting ourselves against the spread of STD's, including HIV, then you need to read on! Not All of It Needs Latex! Before we begin talking about the different methods of protection, let's get it straight in your minds what you won't need protection for! There are many aspects of lesbian foreplay that you can enjoy without worrying about the need for protection. This includes low risk actions such as kissing; giving your partner an erotic massage; body rubbing; and nipple and breast stimulation (as long as she isn't lactating). When to Use Latex and What to Use Masturbating your partner - If you want to masturbate your partner you should use a latex glove, particularly if you have open cuts or sores on your hand which would make it easy for you to get infected. You should also use a glove if you want to fist your partner or insert fingers into her vagina. Conducting cunnilingus - You place yourself at risk of contracting STD's if you give cunnilingus to your sexual partner without a barrier, as you are actually putting your mouth and tongue into direct contact with vaginal fluids. You should always have dental dams handy, which are squares of latex which you lube up with KY Jelly, place over your lover's vulva and give them oral stimulation through the latex. The only thing is that either she, or you, need to do is hold it in place. If you find this gets tricky, buy a Dammit which is a harness that holds a dental dam in place. Dental dams are not widely available on the market, however, you can find them online - but if you don't have any when the urge takes you, use a cut open condom or even plastic wrap (or cling film as it's known in the UK). If worse comes to worse you can create a makeshift dental dam using a latex glove. Simply cut off the fingers and leave the thumb. Cut open the glove on the opposite side to the thumb and rinse off the talc. Put water based lubricant on the outside of the glove and place this on your partner's vulva. Use your tongue to stimulate your partner and slip your tongue inside the thumb for extra pleasure! Using sex toys - Some of us love to spice up our sex life by using sex toys but these have their risks, too! You should never share a sex toy - such as a dildo, or vibrator - with your lesbian lover without using a condom. The condom should be changed if you use it on your lover and she then wants to use it on you. Disposing of latex - As you can see there's quite a few different types of latex and plastic that we lesbians have available to us to protect ourselves. It doesn't just end there, though! You should always turn gloves, or condoms, inside out and dispose of them safely. You should also wash your hands with antibacterial soap and your sex toys, too, just for precaution. If you are in a monogamous relationship, or believe that you are entering into one, you should always use latex barriers such as dental dams, condoms on sex toys, and latex gloves for the first six-months you are together. If you are still a couple after that, then get each other tested for HIV and STD's. If you are both clear then you can practice barrier free sex, only if you are 100% sure that your partner will remain faithful. If not, don't do it! |
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