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STIs Among Women Who Have Sex with Women

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Sexually Transmitted Infections in HIV-Infected Adults and Special Populations

Abstract

Women who have sex with women (WSW) comprise a diverse group of people with a broad spectrum of sexual identity, sexual behaviors, sexual practices, and risk behaviors. WSW are at risk of acquiring a diversity of sexually transmitted infections (STI) from current or prior partners, both male and female. Notably, human papillomavirus (HPV) is sexually transmitted between female partners, and cervical cancer guidelines should be followed in these women, regardless of sexual identity or gender of partner(s). Bacterial vaginosis is common among WSW. WSW should not be presumed to be at low or no risk for STI based on sexual orientation, and reporting of same sex behavior by women should not deter providers from considering and performing screening for STI, including Chlamydia trachomatis, according to current guidelines. Effective delivery of sexual health services to WSW requires a comprehensive and open discussion of sexual and behavioral risks, beyond sexual identity, between care providers and their female clients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Special Immunology Associates, El Rio Health Center, 1701 West Saint Mary’s Road, Suite 160, Tucson, AZ, 85745, USA

    Linda Gorgos

  2. Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Tinsley Harrison Tower 215, 1900 University Blvd., Birmingham, AL, 35294-0006, USA

    Jeanne Marrazzo

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  1. Division of Infectious Diseases, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA

    Laura Hinkle Bachmann

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Gorgos, L., Marrazzo, J. (2017). STIs Among Women Who Have Sex with Women. In: Bachmann, L. (eds) Sexually Transmitted Infections in HIV-Infected Adults and Special Populations. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56694-8_13

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  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-56692-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-56694-8

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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