"Woman-to-woman transmission of HIV is less prevalent,
but it does happen
and so it is important that lesbians practice
safer sex with each other."

HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases can be transmitted through vaginal fluids and blood, including menstrual blood, so it's important for women to use a latex barrier for oral sex.
Latex barriers are often called dental dams, since the square pieces of latex used by dentists to cover a patient's mouth also make excellent safer sex barriers. So if you're having oral sex with women, and you have access to genuine dental dams, you might want to stock up.

Unfortunately, dental dams are usually hard to find (unless you work in a dentist's office). If you don't feel safe enough to ask your dentist for some dams, regular plastic wrap also makes a good, safe barrier. It's easy to find, available at most grocery stores, and it's cheap. Be sure to get the kind without little holes, though.
The Newfoundland and Labrador AIDS Committee recommends microwaveable plastic wrap, in particular, as the safest kind of plastic wrap to use.

You can also make a safe, latex barrier by cutting a latex glove or condom into a flat square.

To turn a latex glove into a dam-type barrier:
First, make sure it's latex.
Cut the 4 fingers off the glove. Leave the thumb.
Cut the glove open along the pinky seam. Open it up so that it forms about a six-inch square.
Place, thumb side down, over your partner's vagina. Stick your tongue in the thumb spot for safer oral sex. (Can also be used for safer oral anal sex, called rimming.)

To turn a latex condom into a dam-type barrier:
First, make sure it's latex.
Unroll the condom and cut off the tip.
Cut down one side, then unfold into a square, latex barrier.

Back to The Facts: HIV & AIDS

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