We are accustomed to consider oral sex as the safest, and there is a grain of truth in this. It does not lead to unwanted pregnancy, and the chances of infection in this case are much lower than with other types of sexual contact. The mucous membrane of the mouth is a natural barrier that prevents infections from entering the bloodstream, and saliva helps fight bacteria.
And yet, without following precautions, oral sex can lead to a number of diseases that will take a long time and effort to treat.
What are the dangers of oral sex
Mechanical trauma
Most often, during oral-genital contact, the frenulum of the tongue suffers. It rubs against the sharp edges of the front teeth, and a small abscess appears on it. In this case, it is very important to take a break until complete healing, as constant trauma can lead to a recurrent bacterial infection. And it entails more serious consequences and requires prolonged treatment.
Sometimes fellatio can cause damage to the soft palate, which is accompanied by redness and spots. In this case, the person may not experience any unpleasant sensations. Usually, spots disappear within a week, during which one should refrain from oral contact.
Infectious diseases
Mechanical trauma, unfortunately, is not the only negative consequence of oral sex. If one partner suffers from herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and other sexually transmitted infections, then during unprotected contact, he may transmit them to the other partner.
What symptoms appear? Most often it concerns pharyngitis and tonsillitis — lesions of the mucous membrane of the throat and tonsils, which are accompanied by fever, sore throat, and even unpleasant breath. In some cases, the gums are affected, and small ulcers appear on them.
When such symptoms arise, it is very important not to self-medicate, as it can complicate the diagnosis. Sexually transmitted diseases are not something to joke about; they require urgent treatment.
Thrush
Thrush, or candidiasis, of the oral cavity is a fungal infection that usually manifests with reduced immunity. This disease can also be contracted during oral sex if the partner suffers from genital candidiasis.
Typically, thrush can be recognized by the characteristic white coating on the palate, cheeks, tongue, sometimes accompanied by inflammation and sore throat. In this case, it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor: he will refer for the necessary examinations and prescribe antifungal medications.
Severe consequences: throat cancer, syphilis, HIV
One of the causes of throat cancer is the human papillomavirus, which is also transmitted during oral-genital contact.
The main symptoms — tickling, hoarseness, excessive salivation — rarely disturb, so the patient does not undergo examination in a timely manner. In the late stages, pain, cough, voice loss, and difficulty breathing appear. Sometimes the tumor may affect the tongue and tonsils.
During unprotected oral sex, one can contract syphilis or HIV. In this case, lesions of various kinds can be observed on the mucous membrane of the mouth. For example, syphilis often diagnoses the appearance of a painless ulcer (most often on the lip), which may disappear on its own after some time, misleading the patient and delaying the diagnosis.
In the case of HIV, due to the weakened immune system, a person is more susceptible to the influence of infections, leading to inflammations, ulcers, suppurations, sudden bleeding from the gums, and other unpleasant symptoms in the oral cavity.
How to prevent diseases
- The most important advice is to avoid unprotected oral sex with untested, casual partners. A regular condom or latex sheets for women will eliminate the chances of infection.
- It is essential to maintain oral hygiene, brush teeth regularly, and visit the dentist twice a year. Any inflammation, sores, bleeding gums increase the likelihood of infection entering the bloodstream.
- It’s better to abstain from oral sex if the partner shows visible redness, rash, or coating on the genitals. Also, one should not practice cunnilingus during menstruation.
- Doctors recommend avoiding oral sex after recent dental and gum treatments, as well as for at least half an hour after brushing teeth. After intercourse, one should thoroughly rinse the mouth with an antibacterial solution.
- Of course, it is necessary to undergo regular medical check-ups and seek medical help at the first suspicious symptoms. This is one of those cases where vigilance is never excessive.
