The sun shines bright in the sky, while hormones bubble up on earth. Thanks to the warm season, clothes get shorter, inhibitions melt (especially if holidays are spent far from home…) and to the slackness of vacations, summer is the time of the year when sexual encounters become easier and more frequent. Just as the sexual transmittable diseases (STDs)…
Okay, you won’t get offended if I’m not reading this article, will you? I’m not interested: I only give blowjobs – can I say that here or is this the family-friendly space?
Alright, if you wear a condom feel free to skip reading! So, as we were saying…
Condom? I just told you I only give blowjobs –you still haven’t told me whether it is okay to say the word… There is not a single confirmed case of oral HIV infection, I just checked on Wikipedia and it only talks about vaginal and anal penetration, not a single hint to oral sex! (the English version makes no mention of penetration nor of oral sex, ed.)
And it is wrong: although there is a widespread belief that unprotected oral sex is not a risky practice, HIV transmission during fellatio is by no means impossible…
Fellatio meaning blowjob, right?
Precisely. As I was saying, HIV transmission during unprotected oral sex (fellatio or cunnilingus) is less likely than during unprotected anal or vaginal penetration, but less likely a chance does not equal to zero chance! Scientific studies estimate that 6-8% of sexually transmitted infections happened during oral intercourse. Also, don’t forget that HIV is not the only STD – there are also syphilis, herpes, gonorrhoea, hepatitis B, and many others… all of which can be transmitted with oral sex!
Fuck, that’s bad news! It’s the sperm that transmits all these diseases, isn’t it? Good thing I don’t like to swallow: I always spit it out!
Doesn’t really matter if you spit out semen after ejaculation: it is the mere contact between the inside of your mouth with the sperm of someone infected with STD that is risky for your health…
From now on I won’t let anyone come in my mouth, then!
Actually, even pre-ejaculate can transmit STDs, albeit with a very low probability: pre-cum can also contain traces of semen… Furthermore, should you suck on a guy who recently had sex with someone else, or should you perform fellatio during group sex, bear in mind that traces of sperm, blood, or faeces may be left on the penis.
So, you’re telling me that oral sex is a risky practice?
If unprotected, yes, it is. That is why it’s always best to wear a condom, also during oral sex. There are extra-thin condoms, which must not be used for penetration (they’re too delicate!), but that ensure great pleasure during oral sex, and sometimes taste like fruit …
Oh, come on! Strawberry or banana flavoured condoms taste horrible! And almost all “regular” ones are now pre-lubricated! Get real: no one uses condoms for a blowjob!
Everyone, in a consensual intercourse, is free to do what they want, even using or not to use a condom. You only need to understand the risks involved and decide together whether or not to take them. Anyway, if you really want to practice oral sex on someone without protection, consider that small wounds or mouth ulcers or bleeding gums increase the risk. In short, good oral hygiene may reduce risk, but still does not eliminate it!
Alright! I’ll brush my teeth before and after blowing someone, then!
That is not a good idea! Generally speaking, try to have a good oral hygiene, but it is best to leave your mouth alone before and after oral sex: brushing your teeth could cause small wounds, especially to your gums. Mouthwash should be left be too, as it reduces the mouth’s natural protections and temporarily weaken mucosae.
Maybe my friend is right: he lets people come in his mouth, but right afterwards he gargles with vodka or Coca Cola to kill viruses and bacteria…
Go ahead and drink Coca Cola, it won’t do any harm, but it really is useless in preventing STDs! Not even strong alcohol is of any use, it actually has the same negative effects of mouthwash. In short, if you want to take no risks at all, just avoid any contact between sperm and the inside of your mouth!
You freaked me out: I’m never going to give head anymore; I’ll only be a top!
Apart from the fact that even being active you can run some risks (if the person sucking you has small cuts in their mouth or has sucked other people before and still has traces of their sperm in their mouth), but why should you give up something that gives you pleasure?
You just need to use a condom! But, if you really don’t want a condom and want to minimise risks for your health, just follow a few simple rules: 1) tell your partners to pull out before orgasm, to avoid contacts between the sperm and the inside of your mouth; 2) wipe your partners’ glans with a tissue or a piece of clothing before taking it in your mouth, to remove excess pre-ejaculate; 3) during group sex, avoid sucking people who are having unprotected intercourse; 4) have fun and enjoy the pleasure of sex!
Admittedly the rules are simple, but maybe following them will take away the bliss of a blowjob: you end up focusing on the rules and not on the sensations!
Oh, please! The rules are extremely easy and following them allows you to be calm and relaxed, while the angst and fear of diseases could become an obstacle to pleasure. Bear in mind that rule number 4 is the most important one and that, to follow it with equanimity, it is fundamental to respect others too!
translation by Alessia Florimo
©2011 Il Grande Colibrì
