Is Oral Sex Bad For You?
Also Known As: oral intercourse
Short answer
If you’re sure of your clean bill of health, then oral sex isn’t dangerous. If you’re unsure, or if one of you has an STI, then oral sex puts you at risk of transmission.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Oral sex is generally safe, although there is a risk of transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Basic safe-sex practice applies: If you've had sex with other people in the past, you may want to get tested. If you're both clean, that's great - there's little chance that you can contract something from oral sex.
Often, however, things are not so clear. You or your partner may have an STI that you don't know about. One of you may not be 100% truthful about their sex life or romantic history. If someone is infected with something, then oral sex gets riskier.
You're at the most risk of giving or receiving an STI if one of you has a cut, sore, or abrasion in the mouth or the throat. That puts you at higher risk of contracting an STI in general. Some STIs - such as HIV - can only be contracted through oral sex if there's an abrasion in the mouth or throat. Cases of HIV transmission through oral sex are low; a UCSF study put the risk at 4 cases out of every 10,000.
There are other STIs that can be transmitted through oral sex as well. Chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhea can all take root in the throat. Gonorrhea is the most common; antibiotic resistant cases are on the rise and difficult to treat. Chlamydia and syphilis are less common but still transmittable.
Herpes and HPV can also be transmitted through oral sex. HPV, in particular, is something to watch out for. It can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact; in other words, you don't need a cut or a sore in your mouth for it to infect you. Getting HPV through oral sex will increase your risk of developing mouth or throat cancer. Herpes is transmittable through oral sex as well; you're at highest risk when sores are present, although transmission is still possible when they aren't.
The person who's giving the oral sex - that's the partner with the genitals in their mouth - is at higher risk of catching an STI. They're exposed to the bulk of potentially infectious fluids. Giving cunnilingus, broadly speaking, is less risky than giving a blowjob.
If you're not sure that you or your partner are STI-free, you may want to abstain from sex (including oral sex). You can also try oral sex with prophylactics such as lubricated condoms or a dental dam.
Possible short-term side effects
- sexually transmitted infections
Benefits
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