Risks associated with oral sex:   Oral sex refers to sexual activities involving the stimulation of the genitalia by the use of the mouth, tongue, teeth or throat.   ‘Cunnilingus’ refers to oral sex performed on females. ‘Cunnilingus’ comes from a Latin word for vulva (a woman's exterior sex organs), cunnus, and from the Latin word for licking, lingere.   ‘Fellatio’ refer to oral sex performed on males. Fellatio comes from the Latin word fellare, meaning to suck.   ‘Analingus’ refers to oral stimulation of a person's anus.   Oral stimulation of other parts of the body (as in kissing and licking) is usually not considered oral sex.   What are the Risks of Oral Sex?   There is a commonly held belief among many lay people that oral sex carries little or no risk. In fact, some consider oral sex a safer sex alternative. But the truth is, like any other sexual activity, oral sex carries a risk of transmitting –   •Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) •Chlamydia •Gonorrhea •Herpes •Hepatitis •HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)   If the receiving partner has wounds or open sores on their genitals, or if the giving partner has wounds or open sores on or in their mouth, or bleeding gums, this poses an increased risk of STDs transmission. Brushing the teeth, flossing, undergoing dental work, or eating crunchy foods, such as chips relatively soon before or after giving oral sex, can also increase the risk of transmission, because all of these activities can cause small scratches in the lining of the mouth.   These wounds, even when they are microscopic, increase the chances of contracting STDs that can be transmitted orally under these conditions. Such contact can also lead to more mundane infections from common bacteria and viruses found in, around, and secreted from the genital regions. The risk is even greater in serodiscordant couples (one partner is HIV positive while the other is negative), people who are not monogamous, or in people who inject drugs and/or share needles and syringes.   Which Behaviors are the … [Read more...]