Oral Sex: is it Healthy or common?

Back in the day, when the country was much more conservative and uptight about sex and sexual practices, an act such as oral sex was not even performed in the bedroom much less discussed in the public sphere.

Today, a great deal about sexuality and its practices has changed. The youth, in particular, are much more open to practicing oral sex then their parents or grandparents were. In fact, many teenagers have reported having oral sex before their first sexual intercourse experience (Kumar, et al, 1). Although it is a fairly common practice amongst sexually active teens and younger adults we must ask if it is safe or even what exactly is oral sex?

Oral sex comes in three varieties: fellatio, cunnilingus and analingus. It is practiced between heterosexual as well as homosexual couples. Fellatio is highly practiced amongst gay male teens and men as it is when a man sucks the penis of another man or a woman sucks the penis of her male lover. Cunnilingus is widely practiced between heterosexual or lesbian couples as it is when a man or woman licks and blows the vagina of his/her’s lover. Finally, analingus is practiced by all orientations. It is when a man or woman licks his partner’s anus.

Oral sex comes with its own share of risks. It can transmit oral, respiratory and genital infections. A cut in the mouth, bleeding gums, lip sores or broken skin (Kumar, et al, 1), greatly enhances the possibility of picking up a disease such as herpes, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C (1).  Most experts say that oral sex is “not safe sex” (1). It may be “safer than genital sex without a condom, in that you won’t get pregnant from oral sex alone,” (1) but oral usage without a condom still carries a high risk of infections.

Since giving oral sex instead of receiving oral means that you are licking your partner’s genital area you are going to be possibly swallowing or at least coming in contact with the fluids that would carry such diseases such an gonorrhea, Hepatitis B and C, etc. In fact, the person who receives oral sex is at higher risk of developing a sexually transmitted disease (STD) from oral sex than from penis/vaginal sex (1-2).

As far as what oral sex is in detail, the following is what oral sex actually is. This is what is commonly called a “blowjob”. This following description is when a partner stimulates his or her’s partner’s penis with his or her’s mouth.

As far as who can give blowjobs, anybody can perform this act. Despite the taboo surrounding this sexual act whether or not the person giving the blowjob is a teenager or ninety years old it only matters if both parties are consensual. In no way does this author condone oral sex of any kind if one partner does not fully agree to engaging in oral.

The start of a blowjob is mainly mental. Clear out all of the doubts in your mind as to how it is going to go (Selemin, 1). The best part of a blowjob is when your mind is completely free of any distractions or shame (this is due to society’s still not complete acceptance of oral sex as sad as this is considering the century we live in).

Foreplay is always good. Get your partner nice and erect and once you are both in the mood and excited about sex then simply begin licking and kissing his penis, rubbing your fingers around it and feeling the smoothness of the penis.

Then, after a while of doing this just take the penis in your mouth and begin to suck and lick. Breathing heavy, letting him feel your hot breath also is a big turn on to many guys.

Eventually, he will succumb to the act and explode in orgasm. It is your choice at this point if you want to taste and or swallow what is known as “cum” or ejaculate (the medical term) that comes out of his penis. There are STD risks already laid out associated with swallowing (hepatitis B and C, gonorrhea, etc.). However, the choice is up to the receiver if he or she wants to swallow. There is no shame in swallowing or not swallowing.

Although there are risks associated with oral sex there are also risks associated with sexual intercourse. Both oral and sexual intercourse are  amazing feelings. Oral sex should be practiced by two partners who have been tested for STDs and if they are clear then there should be no problems with engaging in oral sex.

References

Kumar, Tarun, Oral Sex and oral health: An enigma in itself, Kuma Puri, Arayinda Kondana, Arore Neha, Patil Deepa and Gupta Raiesh. Indian Journal of Sexually Transmittted Diseases and AIDS Jul – Dec 2015, Accessed Sept 22 2023. https://www.ncbi.nim.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4660550/, 1.

Selemin, Julian, How to Give a Blow Job. Nov 22 2022, WebMD, Accessed on Sept 22 2023. https://www.webmd.com/sex/how-to-give-blow-job, 1.

Oral Sex. Better Health. Accessed: Sept 22 2023.

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/Oral-sex, 1-2.