Dangers of oral sex and how to protect yourself

Just so we’re clear, there’s nothing wrong with spicing up your sex life with oral sex. Chances are you’ve already done it, and it’s totally fine. However, this article will alert you to the dangers of the act, so you’ll know what you’re getting yourself into when you decide to go down on your partner.

So what’s oral sex? Why is it a “meh” subject, except for sex experts? Let’s face facts; oral sex puts you in close contact with skin and body fluids – semen, vaginal fluids, blood, urine, feces, and breast milk which may be contaminated with dangerous viruses or bacteria. This is why it’s important to learn everything you can before washing plate or eating cucumber.

Table of Content hide 1What is oral sex? 2Dangers of oral sex 2.1Risk of contracting STDs 2.2Risk of contracting hepatitis A and B 2.3Risk of contracting HIV 2.4Oral sex strains relationships 3How to protect yourself during oral sex

What is oral sex?

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines oral sex as using the mouth to stimulate the genitals or genital area of a sex partner. There are three types of oral sex – the penis (fellatio), vagina (cunnilingus), and anus (anilingus). According to a study by CDC, more than 85% of sexually active adults aged 18-44 years reported having oral sex at least once with a partner of the opposite sex. In another survey conducted between 2011 and 2015, 41% of teenagers aged 15-19 reported having oral sex with a partner of the opposite sex.

In layman’s terms, oral sex is known as blow job (sucking the penis), eating ass (which has nothing to do with eating at an eatery), and washing plate (a Nigerian term for sucking the vagina). It’s usually done as foreplay during sexual intercourse.

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Dangers of oral sex

Oral sex can be pleasurable for both partners but can be dangerous. Let’s take a look at the dangers of engaging in the act.

Risk of contracting STDs

Contracting Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) is the most dangerous risk in engaging in oral sex. These STDs include chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, herpes, and intestinal infections. It’s also possible to be infected in more than one area simultaneously. For instance, a person can have STD in the throat and the genitals. Most STDs are symptomless, only surfacing when it has done a lot of damage to the body. Because of their symptomless nature, they can be easily spread to other unsuspecting partners.

The risk also depends on several factors, which include how many sexual partners you have, your gender, and what particular oral sex acts you engage in. Other factors include poor oral health (tooth decay, gum disease or bleeding gums, and oral cancer), sores in the mouth or on the genitals, and exposure to the “pre-cum” or “cum” (pre-ejaculate or ejaculate). Not treating these diseases on time can lead to more serious complications and even death.

Risk of contracting hepatitis A and B

Hepatitis A is a gut infection that’s passed on through contact with infected faeces. You’re at risk of this disease if you’re licking or touching your partner’s anus, even if they look clean. Hepatitis B is a life-threatening liver infection that is most commonly spread by exposure to infected bodily fluids. You stand a chance of getting infected with this disease through oral sex. Hepatitis A and B symptoms include fever, headaches, general body pains, tiredness, vomiting, diarhoea, dark-coloured urine or pale faeces, or both, and jaundice.

Risk of contracting HIV

Debates about contracting Human Immune-deficiency Virus (HIV) through oral sex are still ongoing. Some experts believe that the chances of contracting the disease are very low. Moreover, most people who engage in oral sex usually go all the way into having penetrating sex, so it’s difficult to determine if oral sex alone leads to HIV. But you still have an increased chance of HIV if you have sores in your mouth or your vagina or penis, bleeding gums, mouth contact with menstrual blood, or other STIs.

Oral sex strains relationships

Some couples engage in oral sex to make sex more fun and spicy. For others, it’s disgusting. It can cause problems in a relationship, particularly if one partner doesn’t enjoy it for hygienic reasons. They may be forced to do this to keep their relationship. This often makes such partners feel used, subjugated, and unhappy in the relationship.

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How to protect yourself during oral sex

The best way to protect yourself from the dangers of oral sex is not to engage in it at all. However, if you can’t resist, then look for alternative ways to protect yourself from potentially deadly diseases. Avoid oral sex if your partner has the following, according to Better Health Channel:

• 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 on her period.

Also, avoid getting semen or vaginal fluid in your eyes. And while engaging in oral sex, make sure you use a condom. Throw the used condom away after each use or change it during penetrative sex. Use a dam if you’re engaging in an anilingus on a man or woman.

A dental dam is a small thin latex or plastic square that acts as a barrier between the vagina or anus and the mouth. It will help reduce the risk of STDs. Dental dams can also be used to cover the vulva and vagina. You can either buy dental dams from pharmacies or make your own. Cut the tip and the ring off a regular condom, then cut the condom open and lay it flat. Note that condoms that use spermicide should not be used so you don’t ingest them. Use the constructed dam once and throw it away.

As a man, ejaculate outside your partner’s mouth to reduce the risk of infection. Also, avoid brushing or flossing teeth right before oral sex.

In addition, go for regular checkups if you’re sexually active. If you have multiple partners or starting a new relationship, you should get tested for possible infections. Your partner should be tested too.

Finally, oral sex can be fun and satisfying, but it carries deadly consequences if you don’t take certain precautions. They say prevention is better than cure. Take this to heart while engaging in oral sex and live an infection-free life.

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