3 Facts you need to know about oral sex: Safety tips included

Overview of oral sex

Oral sex is defined as the oral stimulation of one’s penis, vagina or anus. Oral sex is considered to be an exciting and gratifying experience for both men and women. It is also known as blow job, rimming, going down or giving head. In medical terms, it is called cunnilingus, fellatio or anilingus. Cunnilingus refers to oral sex on a woman while the fellatio is the term use for giving oral sex to a man. Whereas, the anilingus is the oral sex that involves the anus.

How does it work?

Actually, there’s no proper way to perform oral sex. You just have to be creative and adventurous to enjoy and be satisfied in this sexual act.

It is also crucial to have an honest communication with your lover. This can help you understand your partner’s likes and dislikes. In the same way, you’ll be able to know their boundaries.

Possible risks of having oral sex

Many people believed that oral sex is safe since it won’t get a woman pregnant. But actually, this sexual act will put you at high risk of getting sexually transmitted diseases especially if you don’t use protection. Some of the common STIs that you can get from oral sex are listed below.

• Human papilloma virus (HPV) or genital warts

This is a common virus that causes cervical cancer in women. It can also lead to other serious diseases such as oral or throat cancer. People with more partners are at high risk of getting HPV. Thus, it is important to limit your sexual partners to one. And also, HPV doesn’t have any signs or symptoms at all. Thus, it is important to have a regular check-up to know if you have HPV.

• Herpes

This is a common type of STI that you can get from oral sex particularly if you don’t use protection or barrier. It has two different types: the oral herpes and genital herpes. Oral herpes is when you have blisters and cold sores around the nose and mouth. While genital herpes is when you experience itching, pain and has small sores on the genitals. These sores will eventually turn into ulcers and scabs.

• Syphilis

You can get syphilis if you have a direct contact with a syphilis sore during oral sex. These sores can be found on your partner’s vagina, penis or anus. They can also be found on the lips and mouth.

Syphilis can be a serious condition if it is left untreated. But with the right treatment, it can be cured.

It usually comes in three stages. First is a single sore. This is often painless. Then it will become a rash. Then eventually, it will cause organ damage and possible death in the late stages especially it if is left unattended.

Tips for safer oral sex

• Before having oral sex, try different barrier methods. Nowadays, there are a lot of styles, brands, types and flavours available. Take time to experiment to find out which one works best for you. For oral sex, you can use condoms or dental or oral dam.
• After choosing your preferred barrier, make sure to use it every time you have oral sex. This is to protect you and your partner from contracting STIs and other infections.
• Condoms and dams are designed for single use only. If you notice any tear or cut on them, disregard it immediately.
• If you are allergic to latex, you can opt for polyurethane condoms. This type of condom is considered to be safe and better than latex condoms.
• Do not use an old condom or dam. Check its expiration date before using it.
• Share your sexual history with your partner. This will build trust and will help you assess each other’s sexual health.
• If you are using latex condoms, make sure to use water-based lubricant. Water-based lubes won’t damage latex condoms unlike the oil-based ones.
• Be mindful with your genital hygiene. Wash your genital properly before engaging in oral sex. It is also recommended to trim your pubic hair.
• Contact your health care practitioner if you have any concern about your sexual health. If you are sexually active, get tested for STIs regularly.

Conclusion

Oral sex is probably one of the most satisfying sexual acts for both men and women. It can intensify your intimacy and explore each other’s body in a desirable way.

There may be a lot of stigma, misinformation and shame when it comes to oral sex. But this blog post can be a reliable source of information for people who are planning to try this sexual act.

If you want to be empowered with more knowledge about sex and relationships, go ahead and check out a trusted online sex toy shop. They can provide various information about sex and other related topics. They also supply a wide range of sex toys to all kinds of sexual routine.