Oral sex is the pleasurable stimulation of the genitals by a partner’s mouth, tongue and lips. Both people with penises and people with vaginas can receive and give oral sex.

While the risk of pregnancy is zero during oral sex, unfortunately it is a common way of transmitting STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections). You can both catch and pass on infections through oral sex and the risk is always higher for the person giving, than for the person receiving oral sex. This is due to the higher likelihood of exposure to genital fluids on the giving side.

The most common STIs that are transmitted through oral sex are herpes, gonorrhoea and syphilis. The risk of infection is much higher if there are cuts, sores or ulcers in the mouth or on the tongue or lips. This is why it’s not recommended to brush teeth right before engaging in oral sex as brushing can cause the gums to bleed and leave the mouth vulnerable to infections. STIs like herpes can pass from the mouth to the genitals and vice versa, but the risk is generally lower for the person receiving oral sex than for the person giving it. While the risk is much lower than during vaginal and anal sex, HIV can also be passed on during oral sex if there are cuts or sores around the mouth or genitals.

The best way to prevent the spread of STIs is by wearing protection when having oral sex. When performing oral sex on a partner with a penis, the use of a condom can significantly reduce the risk of getting any infections, while for oral sex on a vulva, vagina or anus, a dam can be used to act as a barrier between the receiver’s genitals and the giver’s mouth. Flavoured condoms and dams can be purchased online and in pharmacies to improve the experience of the giver if they do not like the taste of regular rubber.

When shopping for a condom, make sure you check the packaging and find the CE or BSI mark, as these guarantee that the product has met the highest safety standards. 

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