Dear Wedde_64,

There are many ways that everyone — lesbian, gay, bisexual, or heterosexual — can be sexual with a partner, including kissing, masturbation, erotic massage, body rubbing, fantasy, and using sex toys for clitoral, anal, or vaginal stimulation. These kinds of sex play are referred to as "outercourse." Many people also enjoy oral sex, which is when someone uses her or his mouth to stimulate a partner's genitals.

Everyone is different when it comes to what they enjoy sexually. People have various likes and dislikes and only you will know what feels good for you.

Women don't need to worry about getting pregnant when they have sex with other women, but they do need to protect themselves against sexually transmitted infections. While transmission rates are lower for women who have sex with women, it's still possible for lesbians to acquire and transmit infections through outercourse.

Women can reduce the risk of infection the same way straight people can — through safer sex, including lower risk behaviors and the use of latex barriers — like using Glyde dams for oral sex, and condoms on sex toys.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.