The Ultimate Guide to Understanding STIs for Lesbians

Sexual health in sapphic life starts with feeling at home in your body and being informed about how it works. It’s about care, consent, and knowing what supports your pleasure- not about being scared or doing something “wrong.”

With that grounding in place, let’s name the basics clearly and kindly. The short answer to a common question is yes: lesbians can get STIs (sexually transmitted infections), even if you don’t have sex with cis men. STIs can be passed through oral, genital, and some skin-to-skin contact, and many don’t show symptoms right away. Risk is shaped by what you do, not just who you date, which is why testing and safer sex practices matter for everyone in our community.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are unfortunately still common among young women, with almost half of chlamydia cases in the U.S. occurring among people aged 15–24, according to the U.S. STI Plan. Centering pleasure and safety together is an act of self-trust, and this guide is here to support you with testing info, prevention tools, and affirming care.

Can lesbians get STDs?

Yes. Lesbians and queer women can absolutely get STIs: even if you don’t have sex with cis men. STIs are infections passed from one person to another through sexual contact, including oral, genital, and sometimes skin-to-skin contact. Identity-based assumptions miss the real risk: large U.S. data show that STI risk is better predicted by sexual practices and partners than by labels like “lesbian” or “bisexual” alone, so ask about exposures, not orientation alone (see this national study of women’s STI risk by behavior).

Rates matter here. Chlamydia is the most commonly reported bacterial STI in the U.S., and young women 15–24 account for roughly 44% of diagnoses. Many infections are silent at first, making regular screening important so that you can catch it early, and before potentially spreading it to a partner (STI National Strategic Plan 2021–2025).

What counts as “sex” in the sapphic community can be a little more blurry to define. When it comes to safe sex for lesbians and sapphics, we’re talking about: 

• Oral sex 
• Fingering and hand play
• Sharing or solo use of toys
• Skin-to-skin contact (including outercourse or grinding)
• Contact with fluids (vaginal fluids, blood)

Try and remember, sexual health is about care, boundaries, and pleasure: not panic.

How STIs spread between women

Transmission just means how an infection passes from one person to another. Between women, STIs can spread through contact with vaginal fluids, blood, saliva/mucous membranes, skin-to-skin rubbing, and via shared toys. That means mutual masturbation, oral sex, and toy sharing can be relevant routes, depending on the infection and the exposure site. Many infections are asymptomatic (that is, they don’t present any symptoms or flags of feeling sick), so it’s smart to get tested routinely and not rely on symptoms alone (U.S. STI Plan).

Here’s a quick, easy-to-glance view of activities and their relative risk patterns based on public health guidance for women who have sex with women:

Activity	Higher-risk for	Lower-risk for	Notes
Oral–genital (mouth on vulva/vagina)	HPV, herpes (HSV-1/2), gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis	HIV	Use dental dams or cut-open condoms; oral sores increase risk (see CDC on oral sex).
Oral–anal (rimming)	Hepatitis A, HPV, HSV, syphilis, gonorrhea	HIV	Barriers help; avoid when there are sores or GI illness.
Fingering/hand play	HPV, HSV (skin-to-skin), bacterial vaginosis shifts	HIV	Gloves help if cuts are present; wash hands between partners/sites (CDC WSW guidance).
Sharing insertive toys	Chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, HPV, HSV	HIV (still very low unless blood exposure)	Use condoms on toys; clean between partners/sites; avoid sharing porous toys.
Skin-to-skin/genital rubbing	HPV, HSV, syphilis (if sores/lesions)	Chlamydia/gonorrhea (unless fluids are exchanged)	Barriers reduce friction and risk; avoid contact with active sores.

Assumptions based on identity can lead to missed screenings; care based on practices and exposure is more accurate (CDC guidance for women who have sex with women and the national behavior-based study). When it comes to identity or who you’re attracted to, anyone can develop an STI, regardless of genitals or attraction.

Common STIs in women who have sex with women

A quick tour, without any of the scare tactics. Just facts you can use to help keep yourself (and your partners) safe:

• Chlamydia in lesbians: Very common bacterial STI; often no symptoms. Untreated, it can affect fertility. Young women 15–24 carry a large share of diagnoses, and an estimated 84% of females with chlamydia report no symptoms in the first year (U.S. STI Plan).
• Gonorrhea symptoms in women: Can cause discharge, pain, or nothing noticeable. Throat and vaginal sites can both be affected.
• HPV prevention for sapphics: Human papillomavirus spreads via skin-to-skin; some strains cause warts, others cause abnormal Pap results. Vaccination is highly protective.
• Herpes (HSV-1/2): Transmits via skin-to-skin contact; many people have it without knowing. Outbreaks are manageable.
• Trichomoniasis: A parasitic STI that can cause discharge and irritation—but can also be asymptomatic.
• Syphilis: Less common but rising in some regions; can present with a painless sore. Treatable with antibiotics.
• HIV: Lower overall risk in WSW contexts but possible with blood exposures or certain mixed-contact networks; testing still matters.

Common STIs quick reference guide:

STI	Main transmission routes	Common signs (often none)	Key prevention tips
Chlamydia	Vaginal/rectal/oral exposure; shared toys	Often none; discharge, pain	Condoms on toys, test regularly, treat partners
Gonorrhea	Vaginal/rectal/throat exposure; toys	Often none; sore throat, discharge	Site-specific testing (throat, vaginal, rectal)
HPV	Skin-to-skin, oral-genital	Often none; warts, abnormal Pap	HPV vaccine, barriers for oral/skin contact
Herpes (HSV)	Skin-to-skin, oral-genital	Blisters/sores, tingling—often silent	Avoid contact during outbreaks, barriers
Trichomoniasis	Vaginal fluids; toys	Discharge, odor, itching	Condom on toys, screening and treatment
Syphilis	Contact with sores; oral/genital	Painless sore, rash—often missed	Testing; avoid contact with lesions
HIV	Blood, certain mucosal exposures	Often none early	Testing, avoid blood-to-blood contact

For a deeper dive on transmission and screening tailored to WSW, see CDC’s guidance for women who have sex with women. For general STI basics, WHO’s STI fact sheet and U.S. Women’s Health resources are solid primers.

Can you get STIs from oral sex between women?

Yes, but the overall risk varies by infection. Oral-genital transmission means passing an infection through mouth-to-genital or mouth-to-anus contact. HPV, herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia can spread via oral sex. The HIV risk via oral routes is low but not zero, especially if there are sores or bleeding gums in the mix. The CDC details which STIs spread through oral sex and how to lower risk.

Most likely via oral sex:

• HPV and herpes (skin-to-skin and mucosal contact)
• Gonorrhea and chlamydia (throat and genital)
• Syphilis (contact with sores/lesions)

Less likely:

• HIV (higher risk with sores, blood)

Dental dams and other barriers reduce risk, but unfortunately, many of us were never taught to use them; surveys report persistent gaps in vulvar and safer sex education among women and AFAB folks (see this 2026 “State of the Vagina” report on systemic gaps). Remember: most infections start without symptoms, so safer sex is care for you and your partners.

Prevention strategies for lesbian sexual health

Think “safer and sexy”, not abstinence. You’ve got options to help keep sex fun while being proactive about your health.

Prevention strategies include:

• Barriers: dental dams for oral, gloves or finger condoms for manual play, condoms on shared toys.
• Hygiene: wash hands before/after; keep your nails trimmed and clean; clean toys between partners and orifices; avoid sharing porous toys (and pay attention to the care instructions that come with those toys!)
• Vaccines: HPV and hepatitis A/B vaccination protect against serious infections (U.S. STI Plan).
• Mutual testing: normalize swapping recent results or testing together before ditching barriers. It’s hot to be concerned about your partner’s health as well as your own. 
• Plan for sores or symptoms: pause contact with irritated skin, sores, or unexplained discharge until checked.

Mini-checklist for new hookups or evolving relationships:

1. Share last test dates and usual testing sites (throat, vaginal, rectal).
2. Pick barriers you both like (dams, condoms on toys, gloves).
3. Set a toy routine (condom per partner/site; clean between).
4. Align on vaccines and follow-ups.
5. Revisit the plan after any new partners or symptoms.

For more real-world scripts and tips, see HER’s guide on advocating for your sexual health.

Testing Options for Lesbians

A behavior-based plan keeps it simple and accurate.

Your screening checklist:

• Tell your provider your sexual practices (oral, digital, toy use), not just identity.
• Ask for site-specific tests as needed: throat swab, vaginal/cervical NAAT, and rectal swab based on exposure.
• Frequency: at least annually; every 3–6 months if you have new or multiple partners, symptoms, or a recent exposure.
• Pap smears and HPV testing: still needed for everyone with a cervix on the usual schedule, regardless of partner gender (see Mayo Clinic’s overview of lesbian health).
• Self-advocate: many clinicians still don’t ask the right questions. Bring a note, use clear language, and request the tests you need. You are in control of your body, and it’s important to listen to it. (UVA Health’s self-advocacy tips are helpful).
• Behavior, not assumptions: screening is guided by exposure sites and practices, in line with CDC WSW guidance and behavior-focused research.

We’ve got some handy keywords to know when you’re scheduling to help you keep the plot: lesbian STI screening, queer Pap smear guide, throat swab STI test for women.

Accessing affirming sexual health care

Unfortunately, stigma and discrimination can keep many LGBTQ people from care, which worsens outcomes (U.S. STI Plan). You deserve providers who make you feel safe and seen, so that you can be treated before it becomes a way bigger problem. 

How to spot affirming care:

• Nondiscrimination policies are visible on the website and in the clinic
• Intake forms that ask about pronouns, partner genders, and specific practices
• Staff training and inclusive signage/language (check the Healthcare Equality Index to find recognized facilities)
• Clear options for site-specific testing and barrier method education
• Good word-of-mouth in queer circles and peer reviews

If you’re in a hostile policy environment, community and self-advocacy matter. Bring a friend, write down what you want, and lean on mutual aid. HER’s piece on how to advocate for your sexual health has step-by-step ideas. It’s also completely okay to walk out of an appointment and decide that the clinician or doctor is not a good match for you. A good, supportive healthcare worker will make you feel supported, safe, and comfortable throughout the whole process.

Building safer sex practices and communication

If talking about testing and barriers feels awkward… Well, you’re normal. Many of us weren’t centered in sex ed, so we learn together. And even if you got awesome sex ed… Most of us aren’t in the habit of schmoozing and making easy conversation about sexual habits. And that’s totally okay- it’ll get easier over time. 

Conversation starters:

• “When was your last STI screen, and which sites did they test?”
• “Want to try dental dams or condoms on toys tonight and see what feels best?”
• “I’m into toys. Let’s use a fresh condom when we switch partners or orifices.”
• “I’m vaccinated for HPV and hep B; how about you? We could book shots together.”

Remember: asking questions is an act of care, not distrust. In sapphic culture, mutual support and shared learning are all part of the intimacy.

Supporting mental health and wellbeing in sexual health

Sexual health means feeling safe, respected, and connected, not just “not having an STI.” Policy climates shape our stress: nearly 1 in 3 LGBTQ youth report that anti-LGBTQ legislation has negatively impacted their mental health (APA trend report). Shame and non-affirming spaces can delay testing or conversations (U.S. STI Plan).

Ways to protect your head and heart:

• Find LGBTQ-affirming therapy or peer support groups
• Use community clinics and resources that feel safe
• Journal about boundaries, desires, and check-in plans
• Celebrate sex-positivity: pleasure and safety can, and do, coexist!
• Do mutual check-ins after new experiences: “What felt good? Anything to change next time?”

Frequently asked questions

Do lesbians need regular STI testing?

Yes, lesbians and anyone with a vulva or cervix should get tested regularly for STIs, regardless of who their partners are. Many infections don’t show symptoms, so screening protects everyone involved.

What barrier methods work best for safer sex between women?

Dental dams, condoms on toys, and gloves for manual play are effective barrier methods. They lower the risk of passing STIs during oral, digital, or toy-involved activities.

Are Pap tests still necessary for women who have sex exclusively with women?

Pap tests are important for everyone with a cervix, even if you only have sex with women. They screen for cervical changes often caused by HPV.

How can I talk to my partner about sexual health and testing?

Try a simple but to-the-point opener like, “When was your last STI test?” or suggest testing together. Clear, kind communication builds trust and comfort.

Where can I find queer-affirming sexual health resources?

Look for clinics with inclusive forms, visible LGBTQ credentials, and good community reviews, or search facilities recognized in the Healthcare Equality Index. Asking queer friends for recommendations also helps.

Resources for STIs & Sexual Health

Resources cited in-line: CDC oral sex risk overview; CDC guidance for women who have sex with women; U.S. STI National Strategic Plan; WHO STI facts; U.S. Women’s Health STI pages; NHS guidance for lesbian and bisexual women; Mayo Clinic on lesbian health issues; Healthcare Equality Index; UVA Health self-advocacy; “State of the Vagina” report; APA policy trends.