Sex and prevention concerns
for positive people

September 2002     View PDF     En español

HIV and STDs: Woman-to-woman

Woman-to-woman sexual activity has generally been associated with a lower risk of passing HIV, although a number of cases have been reported. The risk of passing HIV and other STDs between women has not been thoroughly studied. But the few studies to date note that many women who have sex with women engage in a number of high-risk behaviors that may increase their risks of both getting and passing HIV and other STDs (including the types of HPV associated with cervical and anal cancer). So in the meantime, it’s best to play safe and refrain from making easy assumptions about HIV and STD transmission during woman-to-woman sex.