woman licking a rainbow lollipop — Unsplash

Can I catch an STI from oral sex?

You will not get pregnant (or get her pregnant) through oral sex but what about STIs?

Oral sex is when you pleasure someone else’s penis, vagina, or anus with your mouth, lips, or tongue. Or when they pleasure you. You deserve it too!

Here are the different types of oral sex:

Fellatio: This is oral contact with a penis
Cunnilingus: This is oral contact with clitoris, or vagina opening
Anilingus: This is oral contact with the anus

Some people love oral sex while others are disgusted by it. Others are vegetarians, they don’t like meat at all. Whether you like it or not, we are not here to judge, you can do whatever you want with your mouth.

If you are into oral sex, you definitely need to read on. Some people believe that it is rare or impossible to get sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) through oral sex.

So, can I get an STI from oral sex?

Yes, you can.

It is definitely possible to get an STI from unprotected oral sex. This is because this type of sex involves exchange of bodily fluids and close contact.

In fact, some STIs are more commonly spread through oral sex.

Remember,

Swallowing semen also puts you at risk of STIs.

STIs you can get from oral sex include:

It is unlikely that you will get the following infections through oral sex;

It is important, however, to note that the risk of getting STIs from oral sex is lower than vagina or anal sex. But the risk of transmission is still there so let’s not get excited.

To reduce the risk of getting an STI from oral sex, it is advisable that you or your partner wear protection. For fellatio (mouth to penis contact), the person receiving oral sex should be the one to wear a condom. If your partner is allergic to latex, you can use polyurethane condoms.

If you’re having cunnilingus (mouth to vagina contact) or anilingus (mouth to anus contact), use a dental dam to cover the anus or vagina during oral sex. A dental dam is a thin latex or polyurethane sheet that acts as a barrier to help prevent STIs from spreading from one person to another.

women pressing face against dental dam — Unsplush

If you have been engaging in oral sex and your or your partner(s) haven’t been using protection, you need to visit the nearest hospital or clinic near for testing. Remember we said? Some STIs do not have signs or symptoms but you can still pass infection to other people.

If you think you have an STI, it is advisable that you stop having sex and visit a health care facility to get tested. You can visit your nearest Marie Stopes Clinic. Find a clinic near you here.

You can also visit your nearest government hospital of any other registered medical facility.

Related: First Signs Of An STI

Did you know you can get STIs from oral sex?