STI Risk in Lesbian & Bisexual Women — What Often Gets Overlooked

There's a persistent and damaging myth in sexual health: that women who have sex with women are at little or no risk of STIs. This assumption leads to undertesting, underdiagnosis, and a significant gap in sexual health care for lesbian and bisexual women.

The reality is more nuanced — and worth understanding clearly.

Where does the myth come from?

Much of sexual health education and public health messaging has historically been built around heterosexual intercourse or male-to-male transmission. Women who have sex with women were largely left out of that conversation, leading to a cultural assumption that same-sex sexual activity between women carries minimal STI risk.

This isn't just inaccurate. It's actively harmful, because it discourages testing among a group that may genuinely need it.

What STIs can be transmitted between women?

The short answer: most of them.

Herpes (HSV-1 and HSV-2) is one of the most commonly transmitted STIs between women. It spreads through skin-to-skin contact and can be transmitted even without visible sores — meaning barrier methods don't eliminate risk entirely, and many people carry the virus without knowing.

HPV (Human Papillomavirus) can be transmitted through genital contact, shared sex toys, and skin-to-skin contact. Certain high-risk strains are associated with cervical cancer, making regular cervical screening as important for lesbian and bisexual women as for anyone else.

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is significantly more common among women who have sex with women than in the general population. While not always classified as an STI, it can be sexually transmitted between female partners and is linked to increased susceptibility to other infections.

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea can be transmitted through shared sex toys, fingering, and oral sex. Transmission rates may be lower than in heterosexual intercourse, but the risk is not zero — particularly with shared toys that are not cleaned or covered between partners.

Syphilis is less common but transmissible through oral sex and skin contact with sores. Cases among women who have sex with women have been rising in several countries in recent years.

Trichomoniasis can be transmitted between female partners through shared toys or genital contact.

Why are lesbian and bisexual women undertested?

Several factors contribute to this gap.

Healthcare providers sometimes fail to ask about the sex of patients' partners, or assume heterosexuality by default — meaning relevant risks are never discussed. Some women feel that disclosing their sexual orientation in a clinical setting is uncomfortable or unnecessary. And because STI risk in this group is so rarely discussed publicly, many women simply don't know that regular testing applies to them.

Bisexual women face an additional layer of complexity. Research consistently shows that bisexual women report lower rates of cervical screening and sexual health testing than both lesbian and heterosexual women — a gap that isn't explained by risk level alone.

What does this mean for testing?

Testing recommendations for lesbian and bisexual women should be based on actual sexual behaviour and risk — not assumptions based on the gender of partners.

This includes regular cervical screening, STI testing that covers the infections relevant to your specific sexual practices, and being open with healthcare providers about your sexual history so that the right tests are ordered.

For women who find clinical settings uncomfortable — whether due to concerns about disclosure, judgment, or simply convenience — at-home testing offers a private alternative that removes those barriers entirely.

CLEAR's at-home STI testing uses PCR-based analysis processed in a certified medical laboratory. Samples are collected privately at home and results are returned directly to you — without the need to disclose anything to a receptionist or wait in a clinic.

🔗 Learn more about CLEAR's testing options via the link in Bio.

STI risk does not disappear based on the gender of your partner. Lesbian and bisexual women deserve accurate information, non-judgmental healthcare, and access to testing that reflects their actual lives — not assumptions about them.

Regular testing is relevant. Cervical screening is relevant. And the conversation around sexual health needs to include everyone.

The information in this article is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal medical guidance.