Women who have sex with Safe women Wash your hands before and after sex. As a woman who has sex with women, you may not Use plenty of lube for fingering/, always identify as a gay woman, a or bisexual. especially for the anus. You may have already had a sexual experience with a man and you may continue having sex with men. Use latex gloves, especially if you have a cut or sore on your hands. HIV and women Is HIV a risk during sex who have sex between women? Safe (risk of HIV transmission is minimal) with women HIV transmission is a risk between HIV women through fingering/fisting, oral sex Avoid oral sex if you or your partner have a cut and sharing sex toys. or sore in/around the mouth, or if the receiving partner is menstruating. The risk of a woman transmitting HIV to HIV risk from sex between two women is low. another woman during sex is lower than Use a (or a cut open) between the /anus and mouth to prevent But check out these specific HIV prevention sex involving a man because less bodily STI or HIV transmission. facts and tips to ensure you stay safe. fluids are exchanged.

Access regular sexual check-ups for sexually transmitted (STIs) Using sex toys safely and HIV testing. Wash sex toys before and after use and between partners. If you also have sex with men, remember that unprotected sex with a man is Use a new condom every time sex toys higher risk. See our HIV transmission fact sheet. are shared.

! Use sex toys carefully to prevent Safer sex for women who drawing . Follow us @avertaids have sex with women Know your rights Help us empower people through knowledge Sex is safer when none of your partner’s by donating to www.avert.org/donate bodily fluids (vaginal secretions, You have the right to: breastmilk or blood, including menstrual Last review: June 2018 refuse sex Next review: June 2021 blood) have a chance to enter your body. Sources: have sex with women www.avert.org/fact-sheet-sources Ensure your partner’s fluids do not enter ! your vagina, mouth or any cuts. practice safer sex. HIV prevention facts Do you need

Use a condom every time you have more information? vaginal, anal or oral sex. Check out our other factsheets to stay safe and healthy. Avoid sharing needles, syringes and other injecting equipment with anyone if you take drugs.

Take HIV treatment if you’re a new or expectant mother living with HIV, as this HIV transmission HIV testing Emergency HIV HIV & safer sex can dramatically reduce the risk of passing treatment (PEP) HIV on to your baby during , and .

Ask your healthcare professional if the blood product you are receiving (a , organ or tissue transplant) has been tested for HIV. & lubricants HIV & sexually HIV & pregnancy HIV & breastfeeding transmitted infections

Take PrEP – a course of HIV drugs – which if taken consistently prevents HIV through sex.

Take precautions if you’re a healthcare worker, such as: HIV & mixed-status HIV & male HIV & men who HIV & couples circumcision have sex with men from injecting drugs wearing protection (like gloves and goggles)

washing your hands after contact with blood and other bodily fluids

HIV & sex work HIV & occupational HIV & having a baby safely disposing of sharp equipment. exposure

www.avert.org/learn-share/hiv-fact-sheets