Penetrating Questions | Columnist mouths off about safe oral sex

Jiná Ashline
Columnist

Is there any risk to oral sex, and do I really need to use protection when I eat my girlfriend out?
— Eats Out on the Weekends

Dear Eats,

People commonly think that oral sex is a safer sex practice because it eliminates the risk of pregnancy. However, like any sexual activity, there is a possible risk of Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) transmission for all partners who engage in oral sex. While the risk of transmission of an STI from oral sex is lower than that from anal or vaginal sex, the risk still exists and is higher when either partner’s STI status is unknown.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) indicates that STIs that can be transmitted by oral sex include (but are not limited to) HIV, herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea, genital warts (HPV), intestinal parasites and hepatitis A.

So, how do you decide what is right for you when it comes to oral sex? The most important way to reduce your risk of contracting an STI if you do decide to have oral sex is to keep yourpartner’s bodily fluids out of your vagina, anus and mouth, and not to touch sores that are caused by sexually transmitted infections.

Look after your mouth, because the likelihood of oral STI transmission increases if a partner has what the CDC calls “co-factors” that can increase your risk of infection. These co-factors include conditions such as oral ulcers, bleeding gums, genital sores and the presence of other STIs. Even the minimal bleeding that tooth brushing or flossing can cause can make you vulnerable, so don’t brush your teeth or floss before oral sex.

If both you and your partner have been tested for STIs (if you are sexually active, you should be tested regularly), you may decide that the risks of oral sex are low enough for you to continue your regular behavior, or you may want to consider safer sex methods. Ideally, you should use protection. For cunnilingus (eating a woman out) or analingus (rimming), use a dental dam. Dental dams are thin sheets of latex that are placed over the vagina or anus, and they often come in different flavors. They provide a barrier between your mouth and your partner’s fluids. Just don’t flip the dam over!

If you don’t have a dam handy, you can use a non-lubricated or flavored condom. Just cut the tip of the condom and cut up along the side so you have a square of latex. In a pinch you can also use plastic wrap (not the microwavable kind!). Just remember that plastic wrap should never be used in place of a condom during vaginal or anal sex.

For fellatio (blow jobs), use a non-lubricated or flavored condom. Be sure that the condom is not lubricated, because regular lube does not taste good! Also, don’t use flavored condoms for anal or vaginal sex, as it can irritate the lining of the vagina/anus. If you want to make oral sex more delicious, try some flavored lube! It comes in just about any flavor you can imagine.

Happy (and safe) eating!

Jiná Ashline ’08 is a Religion major and Women’s Studies minor. She is also president of C.H.O.I.C.E. Each week she will answer a question about sex and sexuality. Send your questions to jiashline@vassar.edu or by dropping a note in Box 2172.