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Oral sex and STD
Hello - and thank you for this wonderful resource!!
My question is... I am a female. I gave and received oral sex to a male friend (one time). What are the risks associated with this behavior (both were unprotected)? Should I be tested for HIV/STD's? I am very nervous and just feel awful about the whole situation... probably guilt/anxiety driven... any information that you could provide would be very much appreciated... Thank you so much!!!
My question is... I am a female. I gave and received oral sex to a male friend (one time). What are the risks associated with this behavior (both were unprotected)? Should I be tested for HIV/STD's? I am very nervous and just feel awful about the whole situation... probably guilt/anxiety driven... any information that you could provide would be very much appreciated... Thank you so much!!!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
This question really should have been posted on the HIV prevention forum (see the notice at the top of this forum's home page). But I'm in a good mood, so it sneaks through!
For practical purposes the only STDs of any significant risk are herpes; occasional cases of gonorrhea; and occasional cases of nongonococcal urethritis in men--which, when to to oral bacteria, probably isn't a serious health problem for either the guy or his future sex partners. Syphilis can be transmitted orally, but it's such a rare infection in most people that it usually isn't a serious concern. (Gay men with multiple partners are an exception.)
HIV is too low a risk to worry about. Rare cases are transmitted to the oral partner, but no case of HIV has ever been proved to be transmitted from mouth to penis or by cunnilingus in either direction. If such transmissions occur, they are too rare to measure.
Young people today often get biased views (sometimes politically driven) about STD/HIV risks in general and about oral sex in particular. The bottom line is that oral sex is safer (for all STDs) than vaginal or anal sex. In fact, if all anal sex and vaginal intercourse in the world were magically replaced by oral sex, HIV and most STDs would disappear entirely. It simply isn't a sufficiently efficient mode of transmission to sustain these infections in the population. And of course you can't get pregnant orally! I'm not promoting promiscuous oral sex in young people. But it really is pretty safe.
For more information, search this forum and the HIV forum for "HIV transmission risk", "STD transmission risk", "oral sex", "fellatio", and "cunnilingus".
Good luck-- HHH, MD
For practical purposes the only STDs of any significant risk are herpes; occasional cases of gonorrhea; and occasional cases of nongonococcal urethritis in men--which, when to to oral bacteria, probably isn't a serious health problem for either the guy or his future sex partners. Syphilis can be transmitted orally, but it's such a rare infection in most people that it usually isn't a serious concern. (Gay men with multiple partners are an exception.)
HIV is too low a risk to worry about. Rare cases are transmitted to the oral partner, but no case of HIV has ever been proved to be transmitted from mouth to penis or by cunnilingus in either direction. If such transmissions occur, they are too rare to measure.
Young people today often get biased views (sometimes politically driven) about STD/HIV risks in general and about oral sex in particular. The bottom line is that oral sex is safer (for all STDs) than vaginal or anal sex. In fact, if all anal sex and vaginal intercourse in the world were magically replaced by oral sex, HIV and most STDs would disappear entirely. It simply isn't a sufficiently efficient mode of transmission to sustain these infections in the population. And of course you can't get pregnant orally! I'm not promoting promiscuous oral sex in young people. But it really is pretty safe.
For more information, search this forum and the HIV forum for "HIV transmission risk", "STD transmission risk", "oral sex", "fellatio", and "cunnilingus".
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Dear NRVS. I gave and received unprotected oral sex from a woman of unknown status. Also protected vaginal sex. I had sore neck, groin, a couple of sores on my throat. Stomach pain, etc. The doc here said very low risk with oral sex. worried for 13 weeks and then tested. The test was negative. Anxiety is a horrible thing. Relax and test if you REALLY need the assurance
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You must have a wise doctor. I agree with him. It applies to gay men.
HHH, MD
HHH, MD
I just had a quck follow up question - would your oral sex comment apply to gay men as well. What I mean is, would oral sex be a rare way to transmit HIV in gay as well as straight people? My doctor seems to think that way as well. Infact, he tells me everything you mention - ask your partner their status, condoms for anal always and lots of lube but remember they break sometimes, but I suggest you do oral (no ejaculation in mouth) instead of anal it is rather safe and much safer than anal.
Sorry for another question, I just thought I would ask....
Sorry for another question, I just thought I would ask....
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I'm don't think that's a desirable goal--and if you think about it, my guess is you will agree. There are no STD/HIV risks from anal sex in committed relationships, or between two definintely uninfected people. My point was not that anal sex should cease, just a way of stating the relative safety of oral sex.
HHH, MD
HHH, MD
I am assuming that your reply would apply to everyone - straight, gay, bi and transgender. Wouldn't it be great if we could get all those young gay you men to stop unprotected anal sex and just give oral instead?
Oh def not a desirable goal. I just wish more young gay men or gay men in general would wear condoms and not have unprotected anal sex. I think oral is very low risk for hiv, but if we could try to have people change their behaviors and save anal for a LTR with someone who is not infected, the battle might be won!
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
