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Oral Sex
Cunnilingus, Anilingus, Fellatio, Oral Intercourse
You may hear that oral sex isn’t “real” sex or that it’s completely safe. But neither of these things is true. Oral sex is not only real sex, in many ways it’s a more intimate act than sexual intercourse. And although you can’t get pregnant from oral sex, you can get many different sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Couple Kissing Nasal and Oral Cavity Revealed
Image by TheVisualMD
Oral Sex Performed on Man
Image by TheVisualMD
Oral sex is using your mouth, tongue, or lips to stimulate your partner’s genitals or anus. Oral sex is often used as foreplay before genital intercourse, but oral sex alone can be very satisfying. Some people enjoy having oral sex after intercourse as well.
Source: StoryMD
Man Kissing Woman's Stomach
Image by TheVisualMD
Fellatio, cunnilingus, and anilingus are all different types of oral sex.
Source: StoryMD
Banana licked by woman
Image by Deon Black/Unsplash
Oral sex is often the first type of sex young people have. Many don’t think of it as “real” sex. But oral sex is definitely a type of sex, and it comes with the same kinds of concerns that other types of sex come with.
Source: StoryMD
Medical Illustration still showing Gonorrhea.
Image by Scientific Animations, Inc.
Oral sex isn’t “safe sex.” You can’t get pregnant from it, but you can get many different STIs from oral sex. Some of them are listed below.
Source: StoryMD
STD Tests
Also called: STD Screening, STI (Sexually Transmitted Infections) Test, STI Screening
STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) are infections that are mostly spread through sexual activity, including vaginal, oral, and anal sex. STD tests can diagnose these infections before they cause serious health problems.
Chlamydia Test
Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria in your body, so the disease can be treated promptly. If not treated, chlamydia can cause serious complications, including infertility in women and swelling of the urethra in men.
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Gonorrhea Testing
Also called: Gonorrhea Test, GC Test
A gonorrhea test looks for the presence of gonorrhea bacteria in your body. Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease that can infect both men and women. Commonly known as “the clap”, it causes infection in the genitals, rectum, and throat.
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Herpes Testing
Also called: Herpes Test, HSV Test, Herpes Culture, Herpes Simplex Viral Culture, HSV-1 Antibodies, HSV-2 Antibodies, HSV DNA
A herpes (HSV) test checks a sample of your blood or fluid from a sore for a herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. Different types of HSV cause cold sores (HSV-1) and genital herpes (HSV-2).
HIV Screening
An HIV test is used to diagnose HIV. While there is no cure for HIV, there are more and better treatments available now than in the past.
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HIV Antibody Test
Also called: HIV 1+O+2 Ab
This test is used to screen and confirm HIV-1/HIV-2 infection. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) destroys the white blood cells in your blood, making you more susceptible to diseases and infections. There is no cure for this virus; however, early diagnosis is important to prevent complications.
HIV Viral Load Test
Also called: Human Immunodeficiency Virus RNA, HIV RNA
An HIV viral load is a blood test that measures the amount of HIV in your blood. It can determine how well your HIV medicines are working. The main goal of HIV medicines is to reduce the HIV viral load to an "undetectable" level, meaning the lower your viral load, the better.
HIV Home Test
Also called: HIV Self-Testing, Home Access HIV-1 Test System, OraQuick® In-Home HIV Test
Home HIV screening kits test either a sample of oral fluid or a sample of blood that you get by pricking your finger. It is used to detect whether or not you have antibodies to HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus).
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Test
Also called: HPV, HPV DNA, High-risk HPV
An HPV test looks for high-risk HPV (human papillomavirus) infections in women. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease. Most infections aren't serious. But some high-risk HPV infections can cause cervical and other types of cancer.
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Syphilis Tests
Also called: Treponema pallidum Ab
Syphilis tests are used to screen for and diagnose syphilis, a bacterial infection spread by sexual contact. Syphilis is easily treatable if found in the early stages of infection.
Latex Dental Dam
Image by inga/Wikimedia
Both sexual partners should get tested for STIs. Avoid oral sex if either of you has sores, warts, ulcers, blisters, or rashes around your mouth, genitals, or anus. To have safe oral sex, use a condom over the penis or a dental dam (a small sheet of latex) as a barrier between the mouth and the anus or vagina.
Source: StoryMD
Oral Sex Performed on Woman
Image by TheVisualMD
You shouldn’t ever feel forced or obligated to have any type of sex, including oral sex. In many ways, oral sex is an even more intimate act than genital intercourse, and it comes with emotional and other concerns. Some people might have fears that they’re not doing a good job giving oral sex. Others may feel that their partner is controlling them, particularly during fellatio.
Take all the time you need to make the decision to have oral sex. Don’t have oral sex until both of you are comfortable with the idea. If you think you’re ready, but still feel anxious about it, you might want to start with kissing and caressing each other and move slowly into oral sex, when you feel ready. If you’re already having oral sex but aren’t enjoying it, communicate to your partner what bothers you about it. Oral sex should be pleasurable for both partners. If you have concerns about oral sex, don’t keep them to yourself.
Source: StoryMD
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