What girls need to know about having sex with other girls

Diane Tanaka, Adolescent Medicine Physician, explains what young girls need to know about having sex with other girls.
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What girls need to know about having sex with other girls

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So I think it's important to talk to young girls that may be are engaging in sexual activity with other girls. And I think it's important to bring it up because one they need to know just as much as if they were having sex with boys about how to protect themselves about both infections as well as pregnancy. And I'll explain more about pregnancy because you might be surprised I'm mentioning that. In terms of infection she still has to worry just as much if she was having sex with a boy; about contracting Herpes, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea or HPV, Human Papillomavirus. That can be contracted, she can get any of those infections through finger touching her genitals, through oral sex as well as sharing sex toys. She needs to be aware of the fact that she can still contract some of the same infections that she would be of risk for if she was having sex with boys ; and still engage in safer sex activities by utilizing barrier methods, condoms whether that goes on sex toy or utilizing a latex covering over her vaginal area. So that she doesn't have to worry about getting any type of infections inserted into her by digital penetration, or tongue or using sex toys. So in terms of pregnancy we have to come back to that. The reason why you also need to talk about pregnancy with your girls that might be having sex with other girls is often times, especially in adolescent years it may still occasionally, or half the time, or most of the time still be having sex with boys. So she still needs to be aware of the fact that there are contraceptive options out there for her, that are safe and effective. So even though she might be currently having sex with other girls she may also at a later date or currently also be having sex with boys. Not to say she is engaging in some type of big orgy but it's just that teens are very curious and so they may be trying something one time to see if they like it and then still have a partner of the opposite gender that they are also involved with.

Diane Tanaka, Adolescent Medicine Physician, explains what young girls need to know about having sex with other girls.

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Diane Tanaka, MD

Adolescent Medicine Physician

Dr. Tanaka is an assistant professor of clinical pediatrics and the medical director of the Homeless Adolescent and Young Adult Wellness Center and the MyVOICE Adolescent Transition Program, both at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Dr. Tanaka went to University of California, Davis for medical school and did her residency at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. Dr. Tanaka's primary speciality is Adolescent Medicine, and her clinical interests include: menstrual disorders, substance use and abuse, and the treatment of sexually transmitted infections. She currently serves at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, and was awarded the Barbara Korsch Medical Education Award at CHLA in 2008 and listed in Castle Connely’s directory of top physicians in 2009.

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