Oral hygiene is a common topic but oral sex hygiene?? Mhmm.. You’ve probably heard oral sex called many names – ‘going down’, a ‘blow job’, ‘giving head’, a ‘69’ or ‘rimming’ (plus plenty more). But oral sex has official medical names too: oral sex on a woman (the vagina, vulva and clitoris) is called cunnilingus.
Risks of oral sex
Many experts say oral sex is not safe sex. It may be ‘safer sex’ than genital sex without a condom, in that you won’t get pregnant from oral sex alone, but oral sex without a condom still carries the significant risk of catching or passing on sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Because oral sex usually involves sucking or licking your partner’s genitals or anus, you’re likely to come into contact with genital fluids or faeces and this puts you at risk of many STIs. Generally, you’re more at risk of catching an STI from oral sex if:
you give rather than receive oral sex – because you’re more likely to be exposed to genital fluids
you have cuts, sores or ulcers in your mouth at the time
you don’t use protection.
Another risk of oral sex is strain on your relationship, particularly if one of you doesn’t enjoy it or has concerns about it. One partner may have anxiety about their oral sexual performance or what their partner will think of them during oral sex. Or oral sex may make one partner feel under the other partner’s control. These are all important issues to resolve before introducing oral sex into your relationship.
STIs from oral sex-
Human papilloma virus (HPV) or genital warts, Herpes, Gonorrhoea, chlamydia, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, Hepatitis A, HIV etc.
How to reduce the risks of oral sex
Like any sex, the best ways to reduce the risks of oral sex are to abstain (not have oral sex) or to use protection.
Avoid oral sex if your partner:
has an STI
has sores, cuts, ulcers, blisters, warts or rashes around their genitals, anus or mouth
has unhealed or inflamed piercings in their mouth or genitals
has a throat infection
is a woman and has her period.
Avoid getting semen or vaginal fluid in your eyes.
For oral sex on a man, use a condom during oral sex. For oral sex on a woman, or when performing anilingus on a man or a woman, use a dam. A dam is a small thin latex or plastic square that acts as a barrier between the vagina or anus and the mouth. It may prevent the spread of STIs.
STI testing
See your doctor about testing if you become sexually active, change partners, or start a new relationship. Also see your doctor if you think you have any signs and symptoms of an STI.
Your partner should be tested if you decide to not use condoms.
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