Many people think that since they can’t get pregnant through oral sex, it is safer than anal and vaginal sex. Yes, discussing oral sex being safe can be explained in two ways; limiting pregnancy or preventing infections like HIV and STDs.
In as much as oral sex can prevent you from getting pregnant, you’re still prone to having sexually transmitted diseases. And we believe that trying all possible means not to be infected with illnesses should be anybody’s priority.
Whichever way you view it, either as an act of foreplay or a sexual act, using the mouth on the genitals poses the same threat (in the case of contracting STDs) to the body as genital-to-genital contact. Anal sex poses a high risk of contracting HIV, even without ejaculation.
We know many people believe that oral sex is safer than anal and vaginal sex; however, the only means to guarantee you are practising safer sex (even for oral sex) is to use a barrier method of protection. It will decrease your chances of becoming infected by a virus.
So, believing that oral sex is safer than anal and vaginal sex isn’t precisely correct. Condomless sex or unprotected sex of any kind poses the risk of contracting an infection. Thus, the safer sex rule is to stick with a condom or other protection methods. If the condom gets broken during use, seek expert advice.
Don’t you believe what you’ve read? Here’s what we know.
1. HIV/AIDS (Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Syndrome)
HIV is the virus that gives rise to AIDS. The typical way HIV is transmitted from one person to another is by having anal or vaginal sex with an HIV-infected person; it can still be spread through oral sex.
Using dental dams and internal (female) and external (male) condoms effectively reduces your chances of catching HIV through oral sex.
2. Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea is a bacterial STD transmitted to the throat during “blowjob” or fellatio, also called oral-penile sex. A throat infection caused by gonorrhoea is pharyngeal gonorrhoea. Pharyngeal gonorrhoea is complicated to treat.
In contrast, cunnilingus, oral-vagina sex, can also transmit gonorrhoea, though the risk is lower than oral-penile sex. Gonorrhoea doesn’t exclude oral-anal sex (rimming), making it a higher risk in some groups than others.
Symptoms of gonorrhoea in men include a white, green, or yellow discharge from the penis or a burning sensation while urinating. In women, pelvis inflammatory disease (P.I.D.) with severe abdominal pain, fever, and chronic pain. Left untreated can bring about permanent health problems like infertility and ectopic pregnancy. Speak with a doctor today if you notice any symptoms of such.
3. Syphilis
Oral sex can easily transmit syphilis but can also spread through anal and vaginal sex. Condoms and dental dams are believed to prevent this infection. People with syphilis don’t have symptoms for years but risk later complications if left untreated.
In the first stage of syphilis, one or more sores appear; skin rash and wounds (mucous membrane lesions) occur during the second stage. In later stages, it may damage internal organs like nerves, the brain, the heart, bones and joints, the liver, blood vessels, and the eyes. Syphilis is cured early; therefore, talk to a doctor if you risk it.
4. Genital Herpes
Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 are the causes of genital herpes. Type 1 is usually linked with oral herpes infections, making oral sex a significant risk factor. On the other hand, type 2 is associated with genital herpes. Symptoms like blisters on or around the genitals or rectum may occur.
Conclusion:
Oral sex may be safer than anal and vaginal sex. However, it is still an effective way to transfer sexually transmitted diseases like HIV/AIDS, gonorrhoea, syphilis, genital herpes, chlamydia, hepatitis A and B, and human papillomavirus (HPV).
While the condom is shown to lower the risk of some STDs during vaginal sex, less is known about its effectiveness in oral sex.
