Conversations regarding safe sex happen to be restricted to vaginal sex, and ways to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). However, it’s crucial to understand that many STIs can spread through other forms of intimacy, especially oral sex, including blowjobs.
According to the ‘Global Epidemiology of Sexually Transmitted Diseases’, STIs are the second major cause of unpleasant diseases in young adult women.
Adolescents and young adults (15–24 years old) make up only 25 percent of the sexually active population but represent almost 50% of all newly acquired STIs, which are like epidemics and have enormous health and economic consequences.
What is Oral sex/ Blowjob?
Oral sex is a sexual activity involving the genitalia of one partner getting stimulated by the mouth of the other partner; A fellacio refers to mouth to penis contact (aka blowjob), cunnilingus is mouth to vagina contact and anilingus is mouth to anus contact. Sex lingo for these acts includes giving head, going down, or eating out.
Oral sex is common in couples of every kind and people from all gender orientations. One may engage in blowjob or cunnilingus as a part of foreplay before sexual intercourse, during or following intercourse.
Certain STDs/STIs can be contracted via oral sex just as easily as vaginal sex.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), about 1 million new STIs are acquired each day. It is therefore important that we understand how these STIs are transmitted and how the risk of spreading infections can be reduced.
Blowjob or cunnilingus can transmit oral, respiratory, and genital pathogens- in layman language it means that some of these germs can cause a throat infection as well as a genital infection.
Two factors that play a key role here are:
- Exposure to various secretions of our body such as semen, vaginal fluids, oral and anal secretions, which we receive via vaginal, anal or oral sex (blowjob).
- The presence of cuts, bruises, sore, ulcers and rashes that can act as potential infection sources.
Given the below type of STD or STIs you may be at a risk for unprotected oral sex.
STI 1) Chlamydia:
- Chlamydia infects both men and women and can be an asymptomatic infection in many. It can also cause pelvic inflammatory disease and lead to infertility.
- The organism Chlamydia Trachomatis affects the throat, genitals, urinary tract, and rectum.
- Your partner may carry the infection in their throat and infect you when giving head- blowjob or cunnilingus.
- While an asymptomatic infection is highly likely, infected persons may also complain of irritation and discharge from the vagina, burning during urination, bleeding between periods, and pain during sex.
STI 2) Gonorrhea:
- Just like Chlamydia, gonorrhea can also spread by both giving and receiving oral sex like cunnilingus or blowjob. It can cause an asymptomatic infection and lead to infertility.
- The organs that the gonococcal bacteria target are the throat, genitals, rectum, and urinary tract.
- Symptomatic persons can get a painful bloody vaginal discharge, show signs of PID, burning during urination, and symptoms just like chlamydia. Both male and female persons are affected.
STI 3) Syphilis:
- Syphilis is spread through direct contact with a sore or rash during vaginal, anal or oral sex (eg: blowjob) and affects the lips, mouth, throat, genital regions, anus, and rectum.
- A small painless bump or inflamed / irritated skin somewhere on your partner’s genitalia, this is one to watch out for. Not just down under, syphilis causes sores on the lips, mouth, and throat as well.
- Besides a rash or a painless ulcer in your perineal region, syphilis can also cause a rash on the torso and include flu-like symptoms.
STI 4) Herpes:
- Genital herpes can be caused by two kinds of herpes viruses - HSV 1 and HSV 2.
- HSV 1 is predominantly spread by kissing or sharing saliva. It is the virus that is spread through cold sores and eye infections. It can affect your food pipe causing esophagitis or inflammation of the esophagus.
- HSV 2 mainly causes genital herpes but it can also infect and cause sores and esophagitis in the partner giving oral pleasure like a blowjob if the partner receiving it, has it.
- The key to minimizing the spread is getting tested early and informing your partner.
STI 5) Human papillomavirus (HPV):
- Different types of HPV will have different symptoms. There are 40 types of HPV that can affect the genital area and mouth.
- Oral HPV (contracted via kissing or oral sex like blowjob) has no symptoms and it is hard for people to know they have the infection.
- In very rare cases, HPV can cause oral cancer.
STI 6) HIV
- Giving oral sex on the penis (blowjob), vagina (cunnilingus), or anus of a partner with HIV may cause it to spread.
- HIV symptoms include fever, chills, rash, night sweats, muscle aches, sore throat, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and mouth ulcers.
- These symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks. But some people do not have any symptoms at all during the early stage of HIV.
Impact of STIs on Women's Health
Complications of STDs / STIs are greater and more frequent among women than men for several reasons (Wasserheit and Holmes, 1992). Biologically, women are more likely to become infected than men if exposed to a sexually transmitted pathogen. STIs are also more likely to remain undetected in women, resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment, and these untreated infections are more likely to lead to complications such as infertility and malignancy in the long run.
So what is the solution?
Condoms: Condoms are the way to go! They are an excellent method of protecting yourself and your partner from any STI. Both latex and non-latex condoms are equally effective. Some tips for condom use are:
- Don’t use an oil-based lubricant. Oil can degrade latex and reduce the efficacy of condoms.
- Always check for the expiry date on them.
- Use a separate fresh condom (regular or tongue) for when you are switching from anal or vaginal sex to oral sex (blowjob, cunnilingus) , and from anal to vaginal sex as well.
Other barrier methods: Diaphragms and dental dams-
- For female persons, a diaphragm or an internal condom is also an option. Although, I wouldn’t highly recommend it as a diaphragm will not be as efficacious against STI’s. Dental dams are pieces of latex that can be used to protect the mouth or vagina in oral intercourse.
- You can also make a makeshift dam out of a latex glove.
Testing for STIs: Always a good practice to test yourself within 3 months of getting a new sexual partner.
Conversation and testing for STIs together: It is VERY IMPORTANT that both you and your partner are aware of possible risks and each other’s STI history when entering into a new sexual relationship. Communication and comfort are key!
Vaccines: Certain vaccines available may reduce the risk of STIs in high-risk groups. The two vaccines are discussed below.
- HPV Vaccination: HPV vaccines are vaccines that protect against infection with human papillomaviruses (HPV). HPV types can cause certain types of cancer—cervical, anal, oropharyngeal, penile, vulvar, and vaginal. Like other immunizations that guard against viral infections, HPV vaccines stimulate the body to produce antibodies that, in future encounters with HPV, bind to the virus and prevent it from infecting cells. HPV vaccines are highly effective in preventing infection with the types of HPV they target, maximum before individuals begin to engage in sexual activity (vaginal, anal, blowjob or cunnilingus). Two vaccines licensed globally are available in India; a quadrivalent vaccine (Gardasil™ marketed by Merck) and a bivalent vaccine (Cervarix™ marketed by GlaxoSmithKline).
- Hepatitis B Vaccination: Hepatitis B vaccine is given as a two or three dose series, depending on the age that you are when you receive the vaccine. In general, you only need the complete Hepatitis B vaccine series once in a lifetime. This vaccine is particularly recommended for folks engaging in unprotected sexual intercourse and persons in the healthcare industry.
Conclusion: Sexually active people should talk to a physician about the risk of oral sex (blowjob, cunnilingus) along with a person who has the infection (STI), as in some cases, there are precautions a person can take to avoid contracting the infection. However, in all cases, open communication with a partner and keeping up to date with reliable medical information can help make wise and more informed decisions.
Disclaimer: This information is educational and should not be construed as medical advice. Please consult your doctor before making any dietary changes or adding supplements.
ProactiveForHer is a digital clinic for women, offering accessible, personalised, and confidential healthcare solutions. We offer out-patient care, diagnostic services and programs for various health concerns of Indian women, across their lifetime - from puberty to pregnancy to menopause.
FAQs
1. Can I contract an STI from performing oral sex on a partner with no visible symptoms?
Ans. Yes, STIs can be transmitted or contracted without showing any noticeable symptoms, since some infections are indeed asymptomatic.
2. Are there specific STIs that are more commonly transmitted through oral sex?
Ans. Yes, HPV, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Herpes (HSV-1, HSV-2) and chlamydia are STIs which are commonly transmitted via oral sex.
3. How effective are condoms or dental dams in preventing STI transmission during oral sex?
Ans. Condoms and dental dams can significantly reduce the risk during oral sex but cannot provide full protection in cases of skin-to-skin STIs - Herpes and HPV.
4. Can using mouthwash after oral sex reduce the risk of contracting an STI?
Ans. No, mouthwash cannot completely rule out the risk of contracting an STI, hence, use of barriers is more effective.
5. Is it possible to contract HIV through giving a blow job?
Ans. Yes, it is possible to contract it since STIs can be spread through bodily fluids exchanged during oral sex, which includes blowjobs.
6. What are the signs of an oral STI, and how soon do they appear after exposure?
Ans. Signs include sore throat, ulcers in the mouth, red or swollen lymph nodes which appear days or weeks after exposure.
7. Can STIs contracted through oral sex lead to complications if left untreated?
Ans. Yes, untreated STIs can possibly lead to serious complications like infertility, abnormal pregnancy, brain damage, paralysis, among many. Therefore it is wise to have regular checks and use protection.
8. How frequently should individuals who engage in oral sex get tested for STIs?
Ans. It is recommended to get tested every 3-6 months, especially for those with multiple partners.
9. Are there vaccines available to protect against STIs transmissible through oral sex?
Ans. Yes, there are vaccines for HPV and Hepatitis B which can help protect against transmissible STIs.
10. Does the presence of cuts or sores in the mouth increase the risk of contracting an STI during oral sex?
Ans. Yes, the presence of cuts or sores create direct entry points for infections thus increasing the risk.