Ask the Sexpert: Sexual wellness an issue for lesbians too

Dear Shanna –

I’m a recently out lesbian, and am not sure what I need to do to keep my sexual health in check now that I’m not having sex with men. Do I even need Pap smears and do I need to be checked for STIs any more? And if so, where should I go?

Staying On Top Of Sexual Health in Glendale

Hello Staying On Top Of Sexual Health,

Sadly, many lesbian, bisexual and queer women are given the impression they are impervious to sexually transmitted infections and other health issues surrounding their genitals and reproductive systems. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case – in fact women who have sex with women have one of the fastest–growing rates of HPV.

Any woman who is sexually active should get an annual “well woman” exam: an assessment of sexual health based on sexual behavior rather than orientation or identity, along with a routine checkup of your ovaries, vaginal tissue, etc. STI tests for things like herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and a Pap smear should also be run annually. But, if you have multiple partners and/or have had an abnormal Pap, tests every six months are recommended.

To find LGBTQ–competent doctors, ask your friends where they go or look for doctors and practices that advertise in Out Front and other LGBTQ publications. Doctors at Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains have been trained on LGBTQ communities and their needs – they should ask you the sex of your partners and talk to you about how to prevent the spread of STIs through the use of sex toys. If you ever find a doctor is treating you oddly or differently because you identify as a lesbian, find a new doctor and consider reporting the experience to the Colorado Equal Rights Commission.

For cheap and sometimes free HIV testing and Hepatitis vaccines, there are lots of nonprofits in the Denver Metro area doing that work, and you can almost always find them at Pride events.

Don’t forget that lesbians can use safe sex too – check out older columns (ofcnow.co/katz) on the use of latex or nitrile gloves, dental dams, condoms on toys, sterilizing sex toys and much more.

Good luck on taking good care of yourself!

Shanna