A Simplified Guide To Safer [Oral] Sex

Blowjobs, fellatio, giving head, eating out, cunnilingus, rimming. These are all terms used to reference oral sex which is any activity that involves the mouth, lips, or tongue, to stimulate the genitals, or anus of a sex partner. According to the CDC, more than 85% of sexually-active adults (ages 18 to 44) reported having oral sex at least once with a partner, showing just how common oral sex is. 

The safest situation, other than abstaining from oral sex, is to only have oral sex if you are in a sexually monogamous relationship and you and your partner have both been tested recently. Not everyone is in this situation, and that should not deter you from having oral sex.   

Oral sex can be extremely pleasurable, but it is important to take precautions since STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) transmission can occur. Here are some critical things to know when engaging in oral sex. 

1. A person can acquire an STI while participating in oral sex

According to the CDC, certain infections such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Herpes, HPV, and in rare occasions, HIV, can be transmitted during oral sex. Furthermore, according to Avert, a charity providing accurate and trusted information about HIV and sexual health, notes that if you are engaging in oral-anal sex you could contract infections such as hepatitis A and E.coli. There is generally a very low risk of HIV infection from oral sex unless the receptive partner is living with an STI and has genital sores, or the partner providing oral stimulation has an STI and is symptomatic with sores, warts, or bleeding gums.  

Not all STIs have symptoms and/or symptoms could be more subtle. The University of Florida's Student Health Care Center recommends “looking before you lick,” to check for lesions, growths, or unusual discharge in the genital area. If you notice any of these, hold off on oral sex until your partner gets tested since these symptoms may be due to STIs. Furthermore, according to Avert, infections can be passed on even if there are no obvious signs or symptoms, meaning you should be getting tested frequently. 

If you are sexually active, the best practice is to get tested for STIs frequently. The CDC provides extensive guidelines for how often you should get tested based on your demographic, but it is advisable to get tested with each new partner for full transparency. Furthermore, many are unaware of window periods, the time it takes for an STI to read as positive after it has been transmitted. While some STIs only take a week to show up on a test, some may take up to four months.

It is always important to discuss your safer sex plans with your partner(s) including your test history and results, any sexual health concerns you are currently experiencing, and how this information will inform your plans for practicing safer [oral] sex. Greatist provides a helpful template on how you can speak to new partners about your sexual health status. 

To learn more about STIs and how to talk about them head over to our  recent blog post, Discussing Your STI Status and Practicing Safer Sex. 

2.  Use barrier methods for protection 

A way to protect against STIs during oral sex is by using barrier methods such as condoms and dental dams. There are a variety of brands, styles, and flavors of barrier methods to choose from, which can be fun to mix it up. You and a sexual partner can get a variety of barrier methods and try out a new one every time you engage in oral sex! A good rule of thumb is to always have your barrier method of choice with you so that you can always engage in safer oral sex. Lastly, make sure to use a new barrier for each sex act. 

External Condoms

If you are giving oral sex and your partner has a penis, we recommend using an external condom to prevent the transmission of STIs. To learn more about how to use external condoms, visit our Instagram for an IGTV demonstration led by ESW associate, Marnie Spiegel.

Dental Dams

If your partner has a vulva, or you are stimulating your partner anally, we recommend using a dental dam. To use a dental dam, hold one side against your partner’s vulva or anus and lick the other side, making sure to never turn the dam over. This graphic from Healthline shows how to use a dental dam.

Source: Healthline

Experts also recommend using a dental dam if the receptive partner is menstruating because menstrual blood can carry bacteria and viruses. Sometimes it can be difficult to find dental dams on short notice. Dental dams cannot always be found at gas stations, grocery stores, or doctors’ offices, so Healthline recommends going to a local adult store that sells pleasure devices, lube, and condoms or ordering them online at stores such as World Condoms or Undercover Condoms. There’s no need to worry because you can make your own by cutting a condom lengthways from bottom to top/the tip to create a single piece of material that can be used as a dam. This graphic from Healthline illustrates how you can create a dental dam out of a condom.

Source: Healthline

Watch this video from University of Chicago’s Wellness Center that teaches you how to convert an external condom into an effective dental dam!

Finger Condoms

Finger cots, or more commonly known as finger condoms, can be used when fingering a vagina or anus. Elizabeth Boskey at Very Well Health states that finger condoms can be an effective barrier method if you are only using one finger. They can reduce the risk of certain STIS and are often more comfortable than gloves. They note that finger condoms can be found in some first aid aisles of drugstores, but you can also purchase them online or make them by cutting a finger off of a latex glove. You can also experiment with different flavors of barrier methods, to excite your tastebuds and make safer oral sex more enjoyable - we recommend the strawberry flavor.

3. Brushing your teeth or using mouthwash before and after engaging in oral sex can lead to infection

You may want your breath to smell good before “going down” on someone, but brushing your teeth can actually increase your risk of contracting an STI. According to the University of Georgia’s Health Center, flossing and brushing your teeth can cause your gums to bleed, thus irritating them and making it easier for an infection to pass from one partner to another. In a 2017 interview with Shape magazine, endodontist Gary Glassman, D.D.S shared that you should only be rinsing your mouth out with water, nothing else, before and after having oral sex.

Oral hygiene is a necessary part of having safer oral sex. According to the CDC, poor oral health can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, bleeding gums, and oral cancer, thus making it easier for STIs to be transmitted. Make sure you are brushing and flossing regularly!

4. If you think you have the common cold, hold off on oral sex, as you may have an oral infection

It is important to note that some oral infections can be easily confused with the common cold. Assistant professor of clinical medicine at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Gil Weiss, M.D, reports that some symptoms of STIs (such as a sore throat, cough, fever, and enlarged lymph nodes in the neck) are similar to symptoms of a common cold. The University of Georgia’s Health Center recommends abstaining from oral sex if your partner has a cold sore on their mouth or they are living with sores, discharge, or unusual odors on their genitals as these may be signs of infection.

Oral sex is pleasurable, but can be made even more pleasurable if sexual safety is taken into account. If you are feeling nervous about having oral sex because you think you may be experiencing symptoms of an STI, we recommend you hold off on oral sex until you get tested. Keep these tips in mind as you engage in oral sex, but most importantly make sure you are having a pleasureful time! 

TLDR:

1. A person can acquire an STI while participating in oral sex

2. Use barrier methods for protection 

3. Brushing your teeth or using mouthwash before and after engaging in oral sex can lead to infection

4. If you think you have the common cold, hold off on oral sex, as you may have an oral infection

9 Myths You Missed in Sex Ed Class

No matter where and when you got your sex education, you likely heard some incorrect information, whether it be from friends, parents, pop culture, the media, or formal education. If you learned false information about sex, we are here to help. 

Generalizations are often made leaving some to feel confused or harmed by the information given to them. Today on the Embrace Sexual Wellness blog, we will be debunking some of the myths you may have learned about sex. 

Myth #1: Orgasm is the be-all-and-end-all of sex

Having an orgasm can be a wonderful sensation, but it does not have to be the goal of all sexual interactions. Sex is so much more than the moment of orgasm. It is about pleasure and connection with your partner(s). Consider this, what would it be like if you thought about sexual pleasure as a journey and not a destination?

Thinking about orgasm as the goal of sex can also lead to increased stress, not pleasure. According to a study published in Hippokratia, when one feels pressure to perform sexually, their body activates its sympathetic nervous system, which results in the increased production of stress hormones, such as epinephrine, norepinephrine and cortisol. These hormones increase blood pressure levels and reduce blood flow to the genitals, which can lead to sexual functioning problems (e.g., decreased sensation in the vulva, erectile dysfunction, inhibited arousal), as well as a more stressful sexual dynamic between partners.

Orgasms are not a given in all sexual interactions and this pressure to perform can lead to added stress. A 2020 study in Current Sexual Health Reports notes that the orgasm gap still exists. The orgasm gap is the phenomenon that in heterosexual relationships, male partners orgasm at higher rates than their female counterparts. Furthermore, the experience of orgasm can be limiting. A theory in an article published in Current Sexual Health Reports states that those with penises are more likely to reach orgasm since they are taught from a young age that it is okay to explore their bodies more than those with vulvas. Additionally, the research suggests that the cultural prioritization of penile-vaginal intercourse over more clitorally focused sexual activities is linked to the orgasm gap.  

Furthermore, an article in Healthline emphasizes the importance of pleasure during sex aside from an orgasm. The article also notes that when focusing on achieving orgasm alone, safety, well-being, respect, and connection are neglected. 

TLDR: Orgasms are wonderful, but they are not the be-all-and-end-all.

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Myth #2: Sex = vaginal penetration 

The heteronormative idea that sex is simply vaginal penetration is incorrect. According to Teen Health Source, a Planned Parenthood Canadian-run sexual health information service for teens, the definition of sex is flexible. Being sexual means different things to different people, and only you get to decide how you define being sexual. Sex can include a range of activities that feel sexual and pleasurable to you.

Research inspired by Alfred Kinsey that was published in PLOS ONE, indicates that there are many common sexual behaviors including but not limited to vaginal sex, oral sex, anal sex, sending and receiving nude images, and masturbation. Assuming that sex is only vaginal penetration is exclusionary to those who do not have vaginal sex, or cannot for health reasons. By expanding our definitions of sex, we can make sex more inclusive to people across all identities. 

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Myth #3: A person with a vulva pops their cherry when they have sex for the first time

Did you ever hear the phrase “popping one’s cherry”? The phrase popping your cherry tends to apply to the belief that an intact hymen is an indicator if someone with a vulva has engaged in vaginal intercourse. According to an article in Women’s Health Magazine, many still believe that an intact hymen is a sign of purity. Well, guess what? Popping one’s cherry is not an accurate phrase in determining if someone has engaged in vaginal intercourse or is “pure”.

The hymen is a membrane that lines the opening of the vagina and varies in its size and shape. According to Medical News Today, many people with vulvas do not experience tearing of the hymen during sexual intercourse and sometimes hymens are torn during other non-sexual physical activities, such as horseback riding, riding bicycles, gymnastics, and inserting tampons. In fact, according to a study published in the North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, some people with vaginas do not have hymen to begin with which means that they never will “pop their cherry”. 

A person does not “pop their cherry” and a “popped cherry” does not mean a person is no longer pure. There has never been validity to these messages.

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Myth #4: Virginity is an accurate concept (CW: Sexual Violence and Racism)

In her book Virgin: The Untouched History, Hanne Blank, shares that humans have constructed the idea of virginity. This concept, that almost always focuses on females in heterosexual sexual encounters, has been used as an exploitative force for political and cultural forces. In fact, in the Renaissance and Medieval periods, western virginity was symbolized by whiteness and nonwhite people were viewed as sexually immoral. European colonizers also used the concept of virginity to sexually abuse Black women. A 2016 article published in Black & Gold, discusses how Black women were hyper sexualized by white men in order to justify raping and dehumanizing them. The idea of virginity was critical in this historical narrative to justify that white women were pure while Black women were viewed as impure.

The concept of virginity is problematic because it teaches women that their virginity (a.k.a. their sexual behavior) is a commodity for men. Women are often shamed for being sexual, a.k.a. “losing their virginity”, while men are praised for doing so. This sexist ideology that it is okay for men to have sex, but not for women can lead to slut-shaming.  

Virginity is important to some people who choose to engage in abstinence (often defined as waiting to have sex until marriage) or secondary abstinence (waiting to have sex until marriage after having sex prior). According to a study published in Sexuality & Culture, secondary virginity is based on the social construction of gendered sexuality and heterosexuality. This idea of secondary virginity is often infused with conservative Christian ideology, but for some, it is simply a method to protect against pregnancy and STIs. For others, it is a commitment to wait until they are emotionally connected to someone, in some cases waiting to have sex until marriage. 

The term ‘virgin’ is typically used to describe a person who has never had sex, but this is also challenging since the definition of sex is ambiguous. According to Planned Parenthood, the concept of virginity is inaccurate because everyone defines sex differently and the term is not helpful in determining if someone was sexually active or not. Only you can decide if you are a virgin, but it doesn’t need to matter or hold value unless you want it to. Sexuality professionals recommend using less loaded terms such as ‘sexual debut’ or ‘first sexual encounter’. According to Healthline, this myth of virginity can impact the way we think about sex and our expectations for sex in the first place. The concept of virginity as we know it assumes that one is losing something when they have sex for the first time, putting a negative connotation on sex.

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Myth #5: The words vulva and vagina are interchangeable

This is something a lot of people misunderstand, including people with vulvas. Planned Parenthood defines the vulva as the part of the genitals on the outside of the body of those who were assigned female at birth. The vagina, however, is a canal that connects one’s vulva with their cervix and uterus. It’s the portal to which babies and menstrual blood leave the body. Vaginas are one part of the vulva, which is the larger structure.

Source: Planned Parenthood

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Myth #6: People with disabilities and chronic illnesses cannot have sex

People with disabilities and chronic illnesses are sexual beings. The myth that they cannot have sex or are not sexual largely stems from ableism. Our Bodies, Ourselves, an organization that empowers women with information about health, sexuality and reproduction, debunks this myth that those with chronic illness and disabilities are uninterested in sex, unable to have sex, or are undesirable. In fact, they indicate that some women with chronic illness, such as fibromyalgia, find that direct genital stimulation can help block the pain that they are feeling. They also note that medical establishments need to recognize that people with chronic illness and disabilities want to be seen as sexual beings. A study published in American Family Physician specifies that this assumption can be harmful to those with disabilities and chronic illnesses, as it can cause them to become uninterested in sex because of misconceptions about their ability to have sex, as well as other factors, such as depression, fatigue, pain and stress.

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Myth #7: Sex ends with ejaculation

Absolutely not! Sexual interactions are about the pleasure of all parties involved. It is important to communicate with your partner(s) about when you are ready for sex to be over. Partnered sex is about communal pleasure. Unless you are engaging in a specific BDSM scene where one person’s pleasure is prioritized over another, such as in a M/S dynamic, and it has been decided beforehand, everyone’s pleasure should be prioritized.  

Pleasure is the cornerstone of sexual wellbeing. Ejaculation is not. All bodies are different and not all bodies will always ejaculate during sex. Everyone’s pleasure is important! 

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Myth #8: The pullout method is an effective way to prevent pregnancy

This myth is one that affects people who are engaging in penile-vaginal intercourse, which is not reflective of all sexual interactions. The pullout method is a method of birth control where the partner with a penis removes their penis from the vagina before ejaculation occurs. Some may believe that the pullout method is a reliable and effective method of birth control, when in fact it is not. According to Planned Parenthood, the pullout method, also known as withdrawal, is only 78% effective when used alone. Furthermore, the pullout method does not work to protect against STIs. Barrier methods such as internal and external condoms and dental dams are safer methods that can effectively prevent pregnancy and the transmission of STIs and HIV.

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Myth #9: Kink is shameful

Kink is not shameful. It is actually extremely common. An article published in Haworth Press reveals that up to 14% of American men and 11% of American women report having engaged in some form of BDSM. The Kink Clinical Practice Guidelines also state that approximately 45-60% of the population experience fantasies related to dominance and/or submission. By understanding how common kink is, we can begin to break down the stigma surrounding kink and those that practice it. 

Kink is also not a monolith. When shaming the world of kink, many are shaming a concept, rather than an act. There are multiple ways to engage in kink, such as bondage, dominance, masochism, submission, and role play, and none of them are shameful. Give this Glamour article a read to learn more about kinks and fetishes in A to Z format.

Research published in the Journal of Sex Medicine suggests that people who practice kink have a desire to engage in discussions with their health care providers about their health without fear of being judged for their sexual desires. The more that kink is societally stigmatized, the more harmful it can be to those engaging in kink.

TLDR: Kink is not shameful and Kinksters should not be stigmatized. A kink is simply a form of sexual desire or behavior. 

Takeaway

While these are not the only myths and misconceptions about sex, these are some of the common ones we have heard frequently. It is always good to do your research before believing something new about sex, or anything for that matter. There is so much false information, and we are here to help. Some things you can do when encountering new information about sex include: consider the source of the information, research the information yourself and look for empirical evidence that supports or disproves it, and talk with professionals about why said information is fact versus opinion.

Remember, sexuality education is a lifelong journey. Looking for more resources to continue learning? Visit our resources page here to learn more. 

4 Things to Include In Your At-Home Sex Education

A majority of schooling is now remote, and many parents and educators have adapted to new methods of teaching. While some may view this as a deterrent to learning, it can also be an opportunity to refine curricula and make education more inclusive. Sex education is a wonderful place to start. 

Only 30 U.S. states require sex education and only 17 of those states require it to be medically accurate. This is not an encouraging number considering that if students do not receive scientifically accurate sex education, they may be inclined to go to the internet to learn, and information on the internet is not always accurate. 

Here are some things to keep in mind when teaching sex education at home:

1. Use Inclusive Language When Referring to Gender Identity and Sexual/Romantic Orientation

It is critical to use language and provide information that is inclusive of all individuals’ gender identities and sexual/romantic orientations when teaching sex ed at home. This means making sure that the content you are teaching shares information that pertains to LGBTQ+ youth. Young people deserve to see their identities represented.

Since only 6 U.S. states require sex education to be LGBTQ+ inclusive and 7 require only negative information to be taught about homosexuality, many students are missing important information that not only validates their identity, but also teaches safer sex that is applicable to their lives. Furthermore, curricula that center the experiences of LGBTQ+ youth is actually encompassing to all youth. Conversations surrounding contraceptive options and barrier methods such as dental dams, as well as internal and external condoms to prevent the transmission of STIs are important for everyone. Introducing terms that reflect sexual diversity normalizes the variety of identities people can hold and helps youth understand what they mean. Promoting allyship and acceptance helps youth understand the variety of ways people experience attraction, both romantically and sexually, encourages them to think about their own gender expression, gender identity, and how that identity may be similar or different from their sex assigned at birth.

By teaching and modeling inclusive language during your at-home sex education, children will understand that including or making fun of peers based on their identities is harmful and stigmatizing. Stigma can lead LGBTQ+ youth to be at risk of a variety of negative health outcomes including higher rates of STIs, unwanted pregnancy, and suicide attempts.

2. Broaden the Conversation From Just Sex

When speaking with children about sexuality, it is also important to speak about healthy relationships and connections with others. A 2018 article published by Harvard University stresses the importance of teaching processes to care for one another in order for students to learn how to both support a partner in a relationship and engage in a healthy relationship. 

The National Sexual Education Standards emphasize these themes as well. The standards define a healthy relationship as, “a relationship between individuals that consists of mutual respect, trust, honesty, support, fairness/equity, separate identities, physical and emotional safety, and good communication.” The theme of healthy relationships is constant in these standards, but  the topics differ by grade, so it can be helpful to look through their guidelines for support.

SIECUS, an organization focusing on sex ed for social change, also emphasizes the importance of including topics of communication and healthy relationships in sex education. 

A good place to begin is the concept of mutuality. Mutuality is the ability to make decisions with a partner and understand and address their concerns or wishes. It is extremely important to teach youth the importance of open communication within both sexual and non-sexual relationships.

For example, let’s say a child is going to the park with their friend. Their friend wants to play on the monkey bars and they want to play soccer on the field. The child can explain why they want to play soccer and their friend can explain why they want to play on the monkey bars. The children can then reach a compromise and say that they will spend 30 minutes doing each activity. By reaching a compromise the child is learning the importance of having conversations and making compromises in relationships. This teaches children fairness and models the ability to adapt.

Talk to your kids about what a healthy relationship looks like. Not all healthy relationships look the same, but some aspects of healthy relationships are adaptability, open communication, trust, and curiosity. Kids look up to adults, so by giving them concrete examples as well as tools, they will likely be able to understand just what a healthy relationship looks like. A good way to teach your children about healthy relationships is by modeling, aka by watching you. Your children will inevitably end up imitating you in some way, so by modeling these healthy behaviors, your children will learn by observing. 

An example of modeling trust in a relationship is honoring your word to take your children to the park. If you say you are going to take your child to the park after school, do it so that they can see the importance of trust in a relationship.

3. Emphasize Pleasure

The majority of sex ed curricula focus on the prevention of STIs, HIV and pregnancy. Sex education can also emphasize the importance of pleasure in sexual interactions.

UNESCO, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, recommends teaching children about pleasure stating that “sexual feelings, fantasies and desires are natural and not shameful.” This is something that is currently not spoken about in a majority of sex ed programs. 

The reality is that many people are having sex for pleasure, so emphasize the importance of pleasure, to create a more open and honest educational environment.

The concept of pleasure does not need to be purely sexual. Let’s go back to the park example. The two children were compromising and learning the skill of mutuality, but they were also making room for each other to do something pleasurable. Teaching children about pleasure can help them in their current daily lives, as well as one day in their sexual relationships. There is a link between both pleasure and happiness and pleasure and motivation, so by learning the value of consent, children can begin to prioritize pleasure in their own lives. 

4. Prioritize Consent

A large gap in sex education curricula is teaching about consent. Only 9 U.S. states require the importance of consent during sexual activities be covered in sex education. Sex without consent is sexual assault, yet consent is not spoken about in a majority of classrooms. 

When teaching sex education at home, remember to prioritize consent. Assault can lead to mental illness such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Consent is a key ingredient in sexual pleasure. To learn more about consent read our latest blog post, “The Importance of Consent During a Pandemic.”

Teaching consent in sex education will not only help children when it comes to sexual respect and safety but will help with their overall respect for others as well. For any situation, it is important to make sure that both parties are consenting to any activity being done. 

A simple way to teach consent is through the behavior of drinking tea with a friend. Here is an example.

You offer your friend a cup of tea...“would you care for a cup of tea?”

If they respond saying, “Of course! Thank you! I would love a cup of tea!” they are consenting to you giving them tea. If they respond with “I am not sure,” you can ask them a follow-up question or assume that “I am not sure” really means “no”.  And if you made the tea and they then decided they didn’t want to drink it, you cannot and should not encourage them to drink it. In this case, your friend is open to the idea of tea but has not yet consented to drinking it. If they reply, “no thank you” then they do not want tea and you should not make it for them. In this case, they are not consenting to drinking tea.

You can also use the idea of Ask, Listen, Respect to teach younger children about consent. 

The National Sexual Education Standards (NSES) also include content focused on consent. The NSES recommend beginning conversations about consent in kindergarten by focusing on the idea of bodily autonomy, which is the right for each person to govern what happens to their body without external influence or coercion. They aim to lay the groundwork for understanding sexual relationships later on, as well as ensuring a safer classroom environment.

Here is a video by Amaze if you want to learn more about consent.

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Looking for some extra support to guide your conversations with your children? Checkout our latest e-course here.

Here are some resources from Planned Parenthood to guide you through the process of teaching sex education. These resources include an online chat feature, digital education tools such as quizzes and games, and videos about consent.

SIECUS has some wonderful resources sorted by age range as well! There are resources for younger children beginning at age 4, resources for young adults, and resources for parents and caregivers. 

Remember that remote learning is new for a lot of people, so it is a-okay if the words you share are not perfect. The key thing is that you are teaching important and engaging topics. You don’t have to strive for perfection, instead strive for smaller moments of learning and growth.

Photo credit: Dainis Graveris on Sexual Alpha