Is oral sex healthy?

[Mark Vieth]

Now I know that everyone likes to both give and recieve oral, but is it safe?

I say this because I read an article that a small percentage of people have contracted HIV via oral sex.

So any thoughts on this would be most welcome.

[nicole2309]

well, yes you can get hiv from oral sex as well..... although it's less common. I wouldn't go as far as to say it's not healthy. I mean, I wouldn't go around just doing that with anyone, just like I wouldn't go around having unprotected sex.

[cherrypie7788]

ANY SINGLE TIME you have unprotected sex with someone who has a questionable sexual history (in other words, you dont know) you run the risk of contracting an STD, regardless of whether it's oral sex or traditional sex.

Any sex is safe as long as you're using protection or having sex with a trusted monogamous partner, and sex is unsafe otherwise.

The key to that is just knowing your partner and taking precaution.

[maddy]

anytime there is an exchange of fluids you are at risk of sexually transmitted diseases. Part of being aware of your partner. I remember being taught about dental dams, like saran wrap, but ummm not, that can be used to help reduse the risk.

[Loulabelle]

And remember if you give oral sex while you have a cold sore (oral herpes) you can pass the virus to your partner, where it becomes genital herpes, and they in turn can then pass it to your genitals during intercourse.

If you don't want to risk getting genital herpes which is damn site more nasty than cold sores, then don't give or receive oral from someone while they have a visible sore on their mouth.

:rant:

[Kaelynn]

It's gotta be healthy... it makes my heart race!!!!! ;)

[Lilith]

http://www.avert.org/orlsx.htm

[jseal]

Loulabelle,

I never knew that about Cold Sores / Genital Herpes. Live and learn! Thank you.

[WildIrish]

Wow...that's interesting about the cold sores. I didn't know that either!

[wyndhy]

good reminder for all lou.

it is also unsafe to blow hard into the vagina, especially if the woman is pregnant. it can cause an air embolism. although rare it is not unheard of.

[Action_Jay]

Dental dams... hehehe....

[scotzoidman]

Great link, Lilith...I had read somewhere that the transmission risk was very low with oral, but any risk at all would be too much when one doesn't know one's partners...

However, when you do know your partner's health is ok, Kaelynn has the right idea....