Sexual behaviour and risk reduction strategies among a multinational sample of women who have sex with women

Abstract

The variety of sexual acts reported by the sample points to the need for the development of more contextually appropriate sexual health guidelines for WSW.

Female Sexual Subjectivity and Verbal Consent to Receiving Oral Sex

“…Alternatively, some women may choose not to partake in cunnilingus because they do not feel positively about their genitals or their partners do not have a positive perception of women's genitals (e.g., Herbenick, 2009). Differences in sexual orientation also have the potential for interacting with subjectivity and sexual behaviors, given that the sexual repertoires of bisexual women may vary from those of women who identify as heterosexual (Schick, Rosenberger, Herbenick, & Reece, 2012). Thus, future research should consider these factors when assessing subjectivity with oral sex behaviors.…”

Sources of Sex Information Used by Young British Women Who Have Sex with Women (WSW) and Women Who Have Sex Exclusively with Men (WSEM): Evidence from the National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles

“…Information on the sexual practices between women at any point in the life course is also lacking in Great Britain (Schick et al, 2012). It seems that much remains unknown about the sexual health of WSW, as well as their perception of knowledge and risk.…”

“…Future research needs to focus on capturing data on same-sex sexual practices between women, the measures they take to protect themselves, and their perception of risk. Such information is needed in order to develop effective public health messages that have traditionally neglected this group (Schick et al, 2012). The inclusion of such questions in a probability sample, such as Natsal, is recommended.…”

“…To date, sexual minority health research and promotion has focused on MSM, due to the risk of HIV which is related to penile-anal sex (Schick et al, 2012). Prior research has nonetheless revealed that WSW are more likely to have compromised sexual health outcomes (including earlier sexual debut and increased likelihood of abortion and being diagnosed with STIs (McCauley et al, 2015;Mercer et al, 2007).…”

“…Research on WSW includes sexual health service utilization (Agénor, Muzny, Schick, Austin, & Potter, 2017;Mullinax, Schick, Rosenberg, Herbenick, & Reece, 2016), sexual health behaviours and outcomes (McCauley, Silverman, Decker, Agénor, Borrero, Tancredi, Miller, 2015;Mercer, Bailey, Johnson, Erens, Wellings, Fenton, & Copas, 2007;Schick, Rosenberger, Herbenick, & Reece, 2012), and drug and alcohol consumption (Cochran, Ackerman, Mays, & Ross, 2004;Mercer et al, 2007). In comparison, there is relatively little evidence regarding sex information sources and needs among WSW.…”