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Is it true that oral sex is generally safe and one no longer has to worry about spreading germs and infections? Do I need to consider any testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) if I engage in oral sex?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [1], more than 80% of sexually-active adults between the ages of 18-44 years old, reported having oral sex at least once with a partner of the opposite sex, suggesting a common sexual orientation in our current population.
The risks of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) through oral intercourse depend on the type of sex, number of sexual activities/partners, and what type of STDs (certain STDs may have a higher risk of transmission).
As everyone has different sexual lifestyle habits, it is worthwhile to pay a visit to your doctor to discuss your lifestyle and understand your risk factors. If there are risks involved, your doctor can guide you further to consider screening for infections.
A few facts worth reminding ourselves when engaging in oral sex:
Types of STDs | Transmission through oral intercourse |
HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus) | Yes |
Chlamydia | Yes |
Gonorrhoea | Yes |
HPV (Human Papillomavirus) | Yes |
Syphilis | Yes |
Trichomonas | Yes |
You are advised to discuss with your doctor to consider screening for the above STDs if you do engage in oral sex and there is a possibility of acquiring STDs. Prompt treatment can be offered for most of the STDs above, hence do not hesitate to reach out to your trusted doctor.
Although the risk of acquiring incurable STDs such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and HSV from oral intercourse is low, one is not completely safe from acquiring these infections.
In the case of HSV transmission, HSV can be transmitted through direct contact.
In the case of HIV transmission, the general consensus is that the risk of transmission is low (in comparison to vaginal or anal penetrative sex) however due to a lack of studies, the risk cannot be fully eliminated.
If you are at risk of acquiring STDs from oral intercourse, you are encouraged to reach out to your doctor for early testing and treatment.
The safety comparison of different sexual practices is not fully studied in the medical literature. Most people who engage in oral intercourse are also involved in other penetrative intercourse such as vaginal and anal sex. The risk of a person who engages in oral sex depends on the number of sexual activities/partners and the risk of the sexual partner as well.
Oral STDs such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea have higher risks of systemic disease as they are less often tested and hence delayed in their treatment. To further exacerbate things, persistent untreated STDs including chlamydia and gonorrhoea generally increase the risk of contracting HIV.
Engaging in high-risk oral intercourse can also possibly lead to cancer. It is clinically proven that HPV infection in the oral/throat region increases the risk of mouth and neck cancer [2,3].
Risk factors for developing STDs through oral intercourse include:
The best way of preventing STDs is abstinence, other ways in which you can reduce your risk include:
Oral sex may not be as safe as you wish. It is imperative to note that STDs can go unrecognised and hence untreated for years as most people have no symptoms and are unaware of their infectious status.
Speak to your doctor today. Understand your sexual risks, screen for infection, consider immunisation vaccines for prevention, and seek early treatment if required.
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD), and alternatively known as sexually transmitted infections (STI) are spread via sexual contact, transmitted from a person to another through contact with body fluids such as blood, vaginal fluid or semen.
Gonorrhea is a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) caused by a bacteria known as Neisseria gonorrhoeae or gonococcus.
Mycoplasma genitalium is a sexually transmitted infection that causes infection in the genital tract or urethra.
HPV is a sexually transmitted viral infection that is spread through skin-to-skin contact. HPV remains one of the most prevalent STIs globally:
Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) or infections (STI) are serious conditions that can develop after having unprotected intercourse. At our clinic, we offer treatment for the following STDs:
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD), and alternatively known as sexually transmitted infections (STI) are spread via sexual contact, transmitted from a person to another through contact with body fluids such as blood, vaginal fluid or semen.