Safer Oral Sex

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Oral sex: Sex that involves your mouth or tongue touching another person’s vulva, vagina, penis, or anus (butt) OR another person’s mouth or tongue touching your vulva, vagina, penis, or anus (butt). 

Note on language: In order to be as clear as possible, we use the medical terms associated with people’s body parts. We understand that these may not be the words you use for your body or the words that best describe you.

‍It’s up to you
You decide if you want to have oral sex. Checking in with your partner to make sure you both say yes to what is about to happen is an important part of having great sex! 

Can I get STIs from oral sex?
Yes.

With vulvas and butts
Use a dental dam, plastic wrap, or a condom cut the long way (to cover your vulva or anus or someone else’s) when engaging in oral sex to protect yourself from STIs. 

Placing a small amount of lube under the barrier can make using dental dams or plastic wrap more pleasurable for the person receiving oral sex. 
Dental dams, plastic wrap, and condoms cut into a rectangle should only be used one time with one person. 

With penises
Using a non-lubricated condom (on your penis or someone else’s) when engagin in oral sex is the best way to protect yourself from STDs.
There are many kinds of non-lubricated or flavored condoms that you can try in order to increase pleasure for those giving and receiving oral sex. 

Condoms should only be used one time with one person. 

Get tested
When getting an STI test, it’s important to get tested in all the places on your body you are having sex. Talk to the person who is doing your testing about the types of sex you are having so you can get all the tests you need to keep yourself and your partners safe. 

Sources
STD risk and oral sex - CDC Fact sheet
Available at https://www.cdc.gov/std/healthcomm/stdfact-stdriskandoralsex.htm 
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Safer Sex for Trans Bodies
Available at https://www.hrc.org/resources/safer-sex-for-trans-bodies 

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