Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is HPV?How to Find Out If You Have HPVProtect Against HPVFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is HPV?
How to Find Out If You Have HPV
Protect Against HPV
Frequently Asked Questions
Women who have sex with women (including lesbians) can be infected withhuman papillomavirus (HPV), as well as other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). HPV is known for its link to the development ofcervical cancerand other cancers. HPV is also responsible forgenital warts.
It’s important to know that sexual minority people with vaginas often believe they are at less risk for HPV than heterosexual people with vaginas. They may be less likely to receive preventive care such as vaccination and screening.
This article discusses HPV, how to find out if you have it, and how to protect against spreading HPV.
Webphotographeer / Getty Images
Lesbians have thelowest risk of getting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) due mainly to the sexual activities they engage in (such as oral sex), which are less commonly associated with the infection.
HPV is a virus transmitted from close skin-to-skin contact, typically during vaginal, anal, or oral sex.It is the most common STI in the United States (US).The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that almost everyone will acquire HPV at some point during their lives.
Most people with HPV do not have symptoms and never know they were infected.Out of about 200 strains of HPV, most do not cause health problems and are often called low-risk types. Only around 14 strains are known to potentially cause cancer, and often the immune system controls the infection and prevents cancer from occurring.
There are over 200 different strains of the HPV virus, 40 of which are considered the “genital type” and can be transmitted during sexual contact.The types of HPV of most concern are those that can cause genital warts and those that can lead to cancer. The strains that cause warts are different from the strains that cause cancer.
How HPV Is Spread
Penile penetration is not required to spread HPV; all it takes is skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. The HPV virus can be transmitted through intimate contact, such as mutual masturbation.
HPV can be passed between two people regardless of their gender, genitals, or sexual orientation.
The sexual practices with the greatestlikelihood of transmitting HPV include:
My Partner Has Genital Warts. Will I Get Them?
Having abnormalities in cervical tissue (dysplasia) does not mean you have cancer or you will even get cancer.Only a handful of HPV strains are associated with cancer and even fewer cause genital warts. In many cases, HPV will resolve on its own without medicaltreatment.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends cervical cancer screening with cervical cytology every three years for women aged 21 to 29 years.From age 30 to 65 years, they may be screened every three years with cervical cytology alone, or every five years withtesting for high-risk human papillomavirusalone or in combination with cytology.
There is a popular misconception among some that lesbians do not need Pap smears. This is entirely false. All people with vaginas (especially those who are sexually active) need to have regular Pap screening, irrespective of sexual orientation.
These screening guidelines are recommended for all people with a vagina/cervix even if you have been vaccinated against HPV. If you have abnormal results, your healthcare provider may recommend additional tests or more frequent screening.
Some studies show that lesbian and bisexual women get less routine health care and screenings than heterosexual women.Understanding your risk factors and current screening guidelines may help you to advocate for your healthcare needs.
For individuals between the ages of 9 and 45, immunizations can protect against some of the higher-risk HPV strains.
As of 2016, only Gardasil 9 is approved for HPV vaccination in the US.
It’s important to know that a person can still contract an STI even if they are not engaging in intercourse.
Summary
HPV is a very common STI that can often spread without symptoms. However, HPV infection can cause genital warts and some kinds of cancers. It is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact regardless of gender or sexual identity. If you have a cervix, you should speak with your healthcare provider to ensure you get your recommended screenings.
A Word From Verywell
Sexually active lesbians are at as much risk for HPV as exclusively heterosexual people with vaginas. Don’t presume that non-penetrative sex puts you at less risk for HPV. Ensure that you are routinely screened for the virus and that any changes in cervical tissue are closely monitored. Doing so can significantly decrease your risk of cervical cancer and other HPV-related malignancies.
HPV is most often spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact involving the genitals. However, occasional cases of non-sexual transmission have been recorded.HPV vaccines are the best way to prevent infection and possible medical issues like warts and cancer.
20 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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