{"id":243,"date":"2017-08-28T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-08-28T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.lovenselife.com\/uncategorized\/oral-sex-std"},"modified":"2017-08-28T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2017-08-28T00:00:00","slug":"oral-sex-std","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lovense.com\/sex-blog\/how-to-have-sex\/sex-tips\/oral-sex-std","title":{"rendered":"Oral Sex STDs 101 – Things to Know Before Opening Your Mouth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It\u2019s not breaking news that you can catch an STD from oral sex. Or that you can prevent them by using a condom or dental dam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, there’s much more to learn and there’s no such thing as “too prepared or informed.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s take a closer look at oral sex and STIs…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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INFECTIONS ARE NOT CREATED EQUALLY<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Some STDs (aka STIs = Sexually Transmitted Infections)<\/em> carry a greater risk <\/strong>of infection through unprotected oral sex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GONORRHEA<\/strong> <\/span>– has been higher among teens as of the publication of this article, AND they are REALLY hard to treat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GENITAL HERPES<\/strong><\/span> \u2013 remember that the HSV-1 virus causes cold sores<\/strong> (a common infection that a lot of people have) while the HSV-2 causes genital herpes<\/strong>. The various strains only differ less than 17% of their genome, which is why they can easily \u201cjump\u201d from one site to another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SYPHILIS<\/strong> <\/span>\u2013 it’s easy to transmit, even the second-stage sores are painless and hard to spot. Condoms won\u2019t do much if there\u2019s a sore outside the latex-covered area.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After gonorrhea, herpes, and syphilis,  there are the ones that are \u201cless frequently\u201d passed on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FOR <\/strong><\/span>EXAMPLE:<\/span><\/strong> Chlamydia, HIV, Hepatitis A\/B\/C, Genital warts, Pubic lice, aka Crabs<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NOTE: <\/strong><\/span>Don\u2019t let the \u201cless frequent\u201d part make you think you can take more risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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THERE\u2019S A CHANCE OF CANCER<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Yes\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cancer finds a way to screw up just about anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although there are still plenty of studies going on, current findings show that it\u2019s possible to spread HPV <\/strong>and therefore increase the risk of oral and throat cancers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, unlike herpes, it can spread via skin-to-skin contact rather than solely through bodily fluids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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OTHER THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW  <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. STIs do not always transmit \u201cboth ways\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, gonorrhea can be transmitted both ways if oral sex is performed on a man. However, it becomes a different story with catching through cunnilingus because the infection is in the cervix \u2013 it\u2019s still possible, but a dental dam will significantly reduce the risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. STI tests are not always accurate<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, hospital tests, in general, are not always 100% (that\u2019s why they do re-tests). This is just another kick in the ass to keep yourself safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. STIs symptoms are not always visible<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

People can have an infection and there is no sign whatsoever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. It\u2019s not always through sex fluid<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like I mentioned before, it can be through skin-to-skin contact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Sore and cuts will increase chances of infection<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yep, that mouth ulcer will not help things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. <\/strong>Women get it worse<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For some sciencey reason, health problems from STIs hit women harder than men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Viruses vs Bacteria<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Antibiotics can often treat infections caused by bacteria, yeast, or parasites. However, this is no cure for the ones caused by viruses. You can only manage the symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NOTE: <\/strong><\/span>With anything this serious, I always recommend doing some of your own research as well as talking with a health professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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CONCLUSION<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The relatively high percentage of STIs still being passed on in developed countries is staggering. There are over 30 kinds of infections<\/strong> that can be passed on orally alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether through lack of education or lack of accessible\/affordable testing (or idiots who believe that oral sex is totally safe), people still don\u2019t use condoms \u2026 and even less use dental dams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With all things hanky-panky, the whole \u201cbetter safe than sorry\u201d approach is best. And remember there\u2019s actually no such thing as \u201csafe\u201d sex \u2026 just \u201csafER\u201d sex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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