The evaluations outlined below suggest a level that is relatively high of

Review of methodology

Intimate orientation could be defined by intimate identification, intimate attraction, or behaviour that is sexual. 13 These definitions are certainly not congruent, and tend to be very likely to vary in level and with time. We selected topics on such basis as both sexual identification and behaviour that is sexual. We utilized convenience sampling (selected by virtue of attendance at lesbian clinics or through lesbian and bisexual women’s community teams) since lesbian and bisexual orientation that is sexual stigmatised and topics difficult to take research. 14 The clinics had been advertised as lesbian health that is sexual, additionally the study called a survey of lesbian sexual wellness, therefore bisexual women can be probably be under-represented. The results presented may not be directly generalisable to lesbians and bisexual women in other settings while the community sample was purposively selected to reflect demographic diversity. These information aren’t meant to express all lesbians and bisexual ladies, but alternatively to explain variety of intimate history and training in a big test of females who possess sex with ladies.

Survey techniques

Studies of sexual wellness are inevitably at risk of inaccuracies such as for instance recall bias and desirability bias that is social. 15, 16 additionally, questions regarding intimate behavior are click here for more info prone to be interpreted in subtly different means by participants based upon what’s considered “sex” or a “partner” by participants. For instance, while 85% reported past intercourse with guys, 82% reported having had a number of male partner that is sexual.

The study utilized a framework with primarily questions that are closed predetermined response groups. The real variety of intimate history and training is consequently apt to be under-represented by these results. We now have noted differing reaction prices to various specific concerns; the response rates that are poorest had been for questions regarding rectal intercourse and also this may introduce response bias.

Discussion of outcomes

This study comprises the largest data set of lesbian and bisexual women’s intimate behavior in the uk. Direct evaluations of our outcomes along with other studies are hard as a result of variations in sampling practices, definitions of intimate orientation, formula of concerns, or descriptive statistics. Evaluations may be made out of six studies of intimate behavior that have been performed throughout the 1990s. Two are Uk: (a) the Pride Survey, 17 a convenience test of 278 lesbians at London’s annual Pride event, and (b) the nationwide Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles 1990–1 (NATSAL), 18 a likelihood sample of 18 876 of which 178 ladies reported sex genital contact that is same. Three studies are US: (c) a nationwide survey that is postal into the mag The Advocate, which recruited 6935 lesbians, 19 (d) the Boston Lesbian wellness venture, a nationwide study of 1633 lesbians recruited by snowballed sampling, 20 and ( ag e) the nationwide health insurance and Social Life Survey (NHSLS), 2 a likelihood test of 3432, of which 140 ladies reported exact exact exact same intercourse lovers. The final is Australian: (f) a study of 1408 ladies who have intercourse with ladies going to a genitourinary center in Sydney. 21

The evaluations outlined below suggest a level that is relatively high of between survey outcomes.

Inside our study, genital stimulation through dental intercourse or penetration with hands had been nearly universally reported in intercourse between females. The application of adult toys and anal stimulation were less commonly reported. Comparable choices had been recorded into the Pride Survey together with Boston Lesbian wellness venture. The 2 nationwide likelihood surveys (NATSAL in britain, NHSLS in america) give details just about passive or active dental sex between ladies.

Distinctions in sampling methods are going to account fully for differing proportions of topics reporting sexual intercourse with males. Subjects into the Advocate, Boston Lesbian wellness, and Pride studies had been defined by lesbian or bisexual identities; 77%, 77%, and 87% of participants reported sexual intercourse with males. NATSAL and NHSLS had been population that is random and the Sydney STI survey had been a center populace including 22% have been intercourse employees; 96%, 98.8%, and 93percent of the participants reported sexual intercourse with guys. Information in other studies are in keeping with our discovering that lesbian and bisexual women’s very very first intimate experience is commonly heterosexual, used a couple of years later on by very first exact exact same intercourse intimate experience.