Oral Sex

Oral Sex

• Oral sex is the stimulation of the vagina or penis using the mouth, lips or tongue.
• There is little risk of HIV infection from oral sex but other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as herpes, Gonorrhea and syphilis are easily passed on.
• This risk of contracting and STI, can be reduced by wearing condoms or using a dental dam.
• You cannot get pregnant from oral sex.
• The risk of HIV transmission from oral sex is very low unless the person receiving oral sex has an STI or sores on their genital area, or the person giving oral sex has sores in their mouth or bleeding gums.
• If the person living with HIV is on medication and has undetectable levels of HIV then there is no risk of passing the virus on.
• You should avoid having oral sex if you have sores, cuts or ulcers on your mouth or genitals as this increases the risk of transmission of infection. As much as possible avoid having vaginal fluid and semen in your mouth and swallowing. It is also advisable to avoid brushing or washing your teeth before having oral sex, because gums could be sore after vigorous brushing.
• Oral sex should be avoided if you have any unhealed or inflamed piercings in the mouth or genitals or have a throat infection.

Should I have oral sex?
Do not feel pressured to perform oral sex if this practise does not appeal to you. Discuss openly with your partner about your choice and if you are ready to experiment with oral sex. Talk about protection and do not feel ashamed for protecting yourself and your partner. Oral sex is still sex and it is up to you whether you feel like doing it or not.