Conversations regarding safe sex happen to be restricted to vaginal sex, and ways to prevent sexually transmitted diseases. But we often don’t realize that so many diseases can spread through other forms of intimacy, especially oral sex.
According to the ‘Global Epidemiology of Sexually Transmitted Diseases’, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STIDs) are the second major cause of unpleasant diseases in young adult women.
Adolescents and young adults (15–24 years old) makeup only 25 percent of the sexually active population but represent almost 50% of all new acquired STDs. STDs are epidemics and have enormous health and economic consequences.
What is Oral sex?
Oral sex is a sexual activity in which the genitalia of one partner is stimulated by the mouth of the other partner; fellacio is mouth to penis contact, and cunnilungis is mouth to vagina contact. Sex lingo for these acts includes blow jobs, 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 oral sex as a part of foreplay before sexual intercourse, during or following intercourse.
Certain STDs can be contracted via oral sex just as easily as vaginal sex.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), about 1 million new STDs are acquired each day. It is therefore important that we understand how STDs are transmitted and how they can reduce the risk of spreading infections.
Oral sex can transmit oral, respiratory, and genital pathogens- in lay 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
- The presence of cuts, bruises, sore, ulcers and rashes that can act as potential infection sources.
Given below type of STD or STIs you may be at a risk for with unprotected oral sex.
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.
- 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.
Gonorrhea:
- Just like Chlamydia, gonorrhea can also spread by both giving and receiving oral sex. 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.
Syphilis:
- Syphilis affects the lips, mouth, throat, genital regions, anus, and rectum.
- If your partner has a small painless sore somewhere on their 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.
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 effect 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 if the partner receiving it has it.
- The key to minimizing the spread is getting tested early and informing your partner.
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 has no symptoms and it is hard for people to know they have the infection.
- In very rare cases, HPV can cause oral cancer.
HIV:
- Giving oral sex on the penis, vagina, 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 STDs on Women's Health
Complications of STDs 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. STDs 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! Condoms 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 for when you are switching from anal or vaginal sex to oral sex, and from anal to vaginal sex as well.
2. 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.
3. Testing for STIs: Always a good practice to test yourself within 3 months of getting a new sexual partner.
4. 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!
5. Vaccines: Certain vaccines available may reduce the risk of STI’s 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. 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 with a person who has the infection, 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.
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