How Safe Is Oral Sex?

It is a common belief that oral sex is safe, therefore there is no harm in doing this. But the truth is just like other ways of sex, oral sex too has a risk of transmitting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. The risk is seen even more in serodiscordant couples where one partner is HIV positive and the other HIV negative. Also, the risk is more in people who inject drugs and share needles. Although unprotected oral sex is safer than unprotected anal and vaginal sex yet there is a risk associated with it. The U.S Disease Control (CDC) classifies it as high-risk behavior.

What is oral sex?

Oral sex is achieving the orgasm through oral stimulation to the genitals i.e. the vagina or penis. Oral sex in women is known as cunnilingus that is stimulating a woman with the tongue into her vagina.

What are the risks of oral sex?

If you have unprotected oral sex, there are always risks associated with it. Many of us are not sure that while having oral sex with the opposite gender there are chances of HIV being transmitted. Bleeding gums and other teeth diseases can get you close to STDs. Herpes can be transmitted from genitals to mouth and mouth to genitals. You may also have cut or sores in your mouth that could cause harm.

How to make oral sex safe?

The use of latex condoms is the safest way to have oral sex. If you feel it has a rubbery taste then use flavored condoms and thinner condoms. Keep semen and vagina fluid out of the mouth and make sure that your mouth is healthy and clean without gum and teeth problems. There should have no sores or cuts as they are the reason for the infection during oral sex. The proper care should be taken as regards hygiene as due to oral sex bacteria can enter a woman’s body both through her private parts and mouth.

There are the risks of passing on bacteria, cold, and flu viruses with the exchange of body fluids. Also, there is a risk of transmitting gonorrhea from the penis to the throat and the other way round too. It is always recommended to have you tested after few months of having oral sex. Though there are advantages of having oral sex like you cannot get pregnant or you do not lose your “virginity”, yet there are several risk factors as discussed above associated with it. Therefore, it is always advisable to have safe oral sex using a latex condom.