Oral sex and contraception

Worth knowing about oral sex

Oral sex is a very popular variant of lovemaking, as touching the genital area with the mouth is very erotic for many people. Because the smell and taste of the genitals are perceived very intensely, it is a very intimate gesture. Thorough personal hygiene should be a matter of course.

Another advantage is that the risk of pregnancy is almost completely eliminated.

There are different variations of oral sex. The most important or well-known are:

 

  • Fellatio (French, Blowjob). The penis of the so-called fellator is stimulated by the sex partner (fellatrix). According to a British study, 69 percent of men and 64 percent of women have experience with this technique.
    • Irrumatio: the receiving partner remains passive,
    • Cum-Swapping and
    • Snowballing. In the last two techniques, the semen is not swallowed but passed on, to the fellator or other sexual partner and back again.
  • Cunnilingus (licking). Here, the vagina is stimulated by the sexual partner. According to a British study, 66 percent of women and 73 percent of men have experience with this technique.
  • Anilingus (Rimming, Rimjob). Here the anus is stimulated by the sexual partner.
  • "69" Here the partners stimulate each other and at the same time their genitals with the mouth.

Another version of cunnilingus or anilingus is the so-called licking clean. The vagina or anus is licked clean after vaginal or anal intercourse.

 

The risk of infection during oral sexr

In general, the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease through oral sex is low compared to other sexual practices. For many diseases, there are no studies that can prove a transmission risk or give exact figures. Theoretically, an infection is still possible. With other diseases it has been proven that there is a sometimes very high risk.

Here is a brief overview:

 

  • HIV / AIDS - The risk is difficult to assess. An estimated 7% of all HIV infections can be traced back to oral sex.
  • Hepatitis A - The risk is high, especially with anilingus (the pathogen is found in the faeces, among other things).
  • Hepatitis B - The risk of infection is unclear but theoretically possible.
  • Hepatitis C - The risk is less serious, but not excluded.
  • Herpes Simplex/Genitalis - The risk is very high if a partner is acutely infected, otherwise it is low.
  • HPV (human papilloma virus), genital warts - risk probably very high (even with anilingus!).
  • Mollusc warts (Molluscum contagiosum) - Infection is possible in the receiving partner.
  • Chlamydia - The risk is high, especially with fellatio.
  • Gonorrhea (clap) - Very contagious: symptoms of illness in the mouth and throat area (e.g. sore throat) in the receiving partner.
  • Syphilis - Very contagious: Symptoms in the mouth and throat of the receiving partner.
  • Fungal Infections - Very contagious; Oral thrush, vaginal infections and even vaginitis can occur.
  • Roundworms - risk from fellatio / irrumatio directly after anal intercourse or anilingus

 

Safe Oral Sex Tips

Only completely abstaining from sexual activities offers 100% protection against diseases, but of course very few people prefer this alternative (then we could also close our shop). However, please keep in mind that a limited number of sexual partners can significantly reduce the risk! The safest thing to do is to avoid oral sex outside of a long-term, mutually loyal partnership.

If you know that your partner has or could have an infection (symptoms are e.g. inflammatory changes, whitish coating, unpleasant odor from the genitals, greenish vaginal secretions, etc.) you should also avoid oral sex, at least unprotected ones.

Barrier methods are also recommended for oral sex, especially with changing partners. With regular use, the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease is reduced.

There are two possibilities:

Condoms cut lengthwise or latex gloves are not suitable! Cutting open with scissors can cause holes in the latex. The area is also much smaller than that of the dams, so that there may be insufficient protection. For cost reasons, some also use cling film - there is enough space here, but protection against infection is not guaranteed. In an emergency, however, this variant is better than forgoing contraception altogether.

Dams are best used in conjunction with a waterbased lubricant. They are then more pleasant for the passive partner - and possibly for the active one as well.

If you do not want to use barrier methods, you should note the following:

  • It is better not to have oral sex if you know that you have injuries (even very small ones) in or on your mouth (gum disease or similar) or your genitals!
  • Don't put the semen in your mouth!
  • If you do get semen or vaginal secretions in your mouth, either spit it out immediately or swallow it quickly! Don't keep it in your mouth (probably the main way HIV is transmitted). Techniques like snowballing and cum-swapping carry a high risk of STDs!
  • No cunnilingulus during menstruation (with the passive partner)!
  • Don't bite during fellatio!
  • Pay attention to good intimate and oral hygiene!

Finally, a few facts.

The risk of infection for sexually transmitted diseases is

  • low through saliva
  • ...moderately severe due to vaginal secretions
  • ...very high from blood (unnoticed wounds) and semen
  • ...higher for the active or receiving partner

If you suspect that you or your partner has a sexually transmitted disease, get it checked out. With early diagnosis and treatment, many diseases can be treated well (including HIV) and possibly cured. It is better to go to the doctor once too often than once too little. Please also think about your responsibility towards your sexual partner.