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 intimate behavior. 13 These definitions are definitely not congruent, and are usually likely to vary in level and with time. We selected topics based on both intimate identification and intimate behaviour. We used convenience sampling (chosen by virtue of attendance at lesbian clinics or through lesbian and bisexual women’s community teams) since lesbian and bisexual sexual orientation is stigmatised and subjects difficult to take research. 14 The clinics had been advertised as lesbian intimate health clinics, therefore the study referred to as a study of lesbian intimate wellness, so bisexual women can be apt to 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 rather to spell it out variety of intimate history and practice in a sample that is large of that have intercourse with females.

Survey techniques

Studies of sexual wellness are inevitably susceptible to inaccuracies such as for instance recall bias and social desirability bias. 15, 16 additionally, questions regarding intimate behavior are prone to be interpreted in subtly ways that are different participants dependant on what exactly is considered “sex” or a “partner” by participants. As an example, while 85% reported past intercourse with males, 82% reported having had more than one male intimate partner.

The study utilized a framework with primarily shut questions and predetermined response groups. The real variety of intimate history and training is therefore probably be under-represented by these outcomes. We now have noted differing reaction prices to various specific concerns; the poorest reaction prices had been for questions regarding anal intercourse and also this may introduce response bias.

Discussion of outcomes

This study comprises the data set that is largest of lesbian and bisexual women’s intimate behavior in the uk. Direct evaluations of other surveys to our results are hard due to variations in sampling methods, definitions of intimate orientation, formulation of concerns, or descriptive statistics. Comparisons may be made out of six studies of intimate behavior that have been completed 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 test of 18 876 of which 178 ladies reported exact same sex genital contact. Three studies are US: (c) a nationwide postal study included within the mag The Advocate, which recruited 6935 lesbians, 19 (d) the Boston Lesbian Health venture, a nationwide survey of 1633 lesbians recruited by snowballed sampling, 20 and ( e) the nationwide health insurance and Social Life Survey (NHSLS), 2 a likelihood sample of 3432, of which 140 females reported exact same intercourse partners. The very last is Australian: (f) a study of 1408 ladies who have sexual intercourse with ladies going to a genitourinary center in Sydney. 21

The evaluations outlined below indicate a reasonably advanced of persistence between study outcomes.

Inside our study, genital stimulation through dental intercourse or penetration with hands ended up being very nearly universally reported in intercourse between females. Making use of adult toys and anal stimulation were less commonly reported. Comparable choices had been recorded within the Pride Survey together with Boston Lesbian wellness venture. The 2 probability that is national (NATSAL in britain, NHSLS in the usa) give details no more than 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 guys. Topics when you look at the Advocate, Boston Lesbian wellness, and Pride surveys had been defined by lesbian or bisexual identities; 77%, 77%, and 87% of participants reported activity that is sexual guys. NATSAL and NHSLS were random populace examples and the Sydney STI study had been a hospital populace including 22% who had been intercourse employees; 96%, 98.8%, and 93percent among these participants reported sexual intercourse with guys. Information various other studies are in free porn chat line with our discovering that lesbian and bisexual women’s very first intimate experience is often heterosexual, adopted a couple of years later on by very first exact exact exact same intercourse experience that is sexual.