Oral sex is often part of the foreplay of many couples as a way to reach orgasm or provide pleasure to their partner. It is important to remember that oral sex does not guarantee safe intercourse. Oral sex still has almost the same risk of transmitting sexually transmitted diseases as vaginal or anal intercourse.

Several studies show that the risk of contracting HIV from oral sex tends to be lower than the risk of contracting HIV from anal or vaginal sex. However, the risk of other infectious diseases, such as syphilis, gonorrhea, genital herpes, etc., still exists. For this reason, know how to perform oral sex to reduce the risk of infection safely.

Tips for Performing Oral Sex Safely

Wear a condom 

Using a condom when performing oral sex is one way to reduce the risk of transmitting sexually transmitted diseases. The types of condoms that are safe to use are latex or polyurethane condoms for those who are allergic to latex.

Also, make sure to check the expiration date and signs of damage to the condom that could reduce its protective effectiveness.

Practicing oral sex with the use of a dental dam

A dental dam can protect against the spread of infections and other germs during oral sex. A dental dam is a thin sheet made from latex or polyurethane that is placed over the vagina to form a barrier between the mouth and the area. A dental dam can prevent direct contact between the mouth and body fluids, reducing the risk of transmitting STIs or other germs.

It should be noted that dental dams not only protect against HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and genital herpes but also prevent the spread of bacteria such as E.coli, which can cause urinary tract infections and other infections.

Read more: Getting To Know Dental Dam, Mouth Protecter For Oral Sex

Avoid contact with body fluids

Avoid direct contact with semen or vaginal fluids with the eyes. Body fluids such as manifold and vaginal fluids can contain pathogens of sexually transmitted diseases or bacteria that can also cause infection if exposed to the eyes or open wounds around the eyes.

Undergo examination or assessment for sexually transmitted infections

Sexually transmitted infection testing or screening is a test carried out as a process of testing for sexually transmitted infections in people who do not show symptoms. This is an important part of efforts to prevent and control STDs so that they can be identified and treated early.

STD screening is not always a routine check from health services, but if you have certain risk factors that increase the chance of being exposed to STDs, there's no harm in getting regular screening.

Read more: Getting To Know Various Sexually Infectious Diseases And How To Prevent It

Seek medical attention right away

If you undergo an STD screening and the results show an infection, or if you experience PMS symptoms such as itching or burning, foul-smelling discharge, swelling around the genitals, skin rash, swelling or pain in the anal area, pain or discomfort when defecating urination or sexual intercourse, if there are wounds or abrasions on the genitals, you should immediately get treatment. Treatment according to schedule is the key to treating sexually transmitted infections effectively.

For questions concerning sexually transmitted diseases or oral sex, you can access health consultation services through the Ai Care app, which is available for download on the App Store or Play Store.

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