How Common Is Oral Sex? [2024 Oral Sex Facts & Statistics]

We’ve collected ALL exciting facts & statistics on oral sex: how common it is, do people enjoy it, sexual behavior and preferences, and more. Let’s dive in!

Oral sex is one of the most common ways people enjoy each other in the bedroom and, in some cases, is people’s first sexual experience. It can be enjoyable for many – especially women – but has some downsides too. Here’s everything you need to know about oral sex statistics.

Table of Contents

Top Oral Sex Statistics You Should Know:

Most people either give or receive oral sex 5 times each month, on average.
The most common age among teens to give or receive oral sex was 16 years old.
59% of women said they give oral sex, compared to just 52% of men.
Men are almost twice as likely to say that giving oral sex is very pleasurable (52% vs. 28%).
20.6% of women say they have never had a bad oral sex experience.
33% of Americans have felt at least some social or societal pressure to have oral sex.
51.39% of Americans say refusing to have oral sex is a relationship dealbreaker.
76.8% (over three quarters) of women have given a blow job that they did not enjoy.
92.6% of women like to give blow jobs.
51.8% of women had an orgasm the last time they received oral sex.
1 in 7 women (14%) squirted the last time they received oral sex.
50.4% of Americans (52.13% of men and 54.67% of women) think oral sex is more intimate than penetrative sex.
61.1% of women find oral sex and vaginal sex equally enjoyable.
55% of women said their favorite way to finish a blow job is for their partner to ejaculate in their mouth and then swallow it.
92% of women enjoy when their partner uses their fingers on/in their vagina when receiving oral sex.
12.1% of Americans strongly dislike kissing their partner after oral sex.

What Is Oral Sex?

First, let’s define oral sex:

Oral sex is any sexual activity involving the stimulation of genitalia using the mouth, tongue, teeth, or throat.
- Oral sex is very common in both heterosexual and homosexual couples.
- Oral sex may be used as foreplay before sex, during sex, or afterward.
- Oral sex can and is practiced by people of all sexual orientations.
- (Journal of Global Infectious Diseases, 2010)¹
There are several types of oral sex, including:
- Cunnilingus (Oral Vaginal Contact):
  - Cunnilingus is oral stimulation of a woman’s vagina and/or vulva, and especially her clitoris, by her partner’s lips and tongue.
- Fellatio (Oral Penile Contact):
  - Felatio is oral stimulation of a man’s penis by his partner’s mouth, usually by licking or sucking.
- Analingus (Oral Anal Contact):
  - Analingus is stimulation of the partner’s anus with tongue or lips
- (Journal of Global Infectious Diseases, 2010)¹

Each of these kinds of oral sex is covered throughout this article.

How Common Is Oral Sex?

According to these studies, oral is pretty common among many couples and gets more common as you age:

Most people either give or receive oral sex 5 times each month, on average.
- (Bespoke Surgical, 2020)²
66.7% of American teens have experienced oral sex – either giving or receiving.
- (The Journal of Sex Research, 2020)³
Ages most American teens/adolescents first experience oral sex, by gender:
- Young Women
  - 12 years old or younger: 4.2%
  - 13 years old: 3.8%
  - 14 years old: 5.9%
  - 15 years old: 12.3%
  - 16 years old: 13.4%
  - 17 years old: 12.8%
  - 18 years old: 10.2%
  - 19 years old: 4.1%
  - Never: 33.3%
- Young Men
  - 12 years old or younger: 8.7%
  - 13 years old: 4.3%
  - 14 years old: 7.0%
  - 15 years old: 10.0%
  - 16 years old: 14.4%
  - 17 years old: 10.0%
  - 18 years old: 6.5%
  - 19 years old: 3.5%
  - Never: 35.6%
- (The Journal of Sex Research, 2020)³

Total percentage of men and women that have given oral sex, by age:
- 15-19 years: 43.16%
- 20-24 years: 76.3%
- 25-34 years: 83.3%
- 35-44 years: 83.5%
- (The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2007)(The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2007)⁴

How Often Do Americans Give and Receive Oral Sex?

Because oral sex is pretty common, it also happens fairly often – especially amongst lesbian couples. Here’s what we found:

59% of women said they give oral sex, compared to just 52% of men.
- (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2016)⁵
More men (63%) than women (44%) reported receiving oral sex.
- (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2016)⁴

Frequency of oral sex among heterosexual couples:
- The scale for this study was: (0) never had oral sex; (1) sexually inactive in the past 12 months; (2) had sex but never received oral sex, (3) rarely received oral sex, (4) sometimes received oral sex, and (5) usually or always received oral sex.
- Men
  - Receiving oral sex:
    - Mean: 1.22 (sexually inactive in the past 12 months)
    - Minimum: 0 (never had oral sex)
    - Maximum: 4 (sometimes received oral sex)
  - Giving oral sex:
    - Mean: 1.14 (sexually inactive in the past 12 months)
    - Minimum: 0 (never had oral sex)
    - Maximum: 4 (sometimes received oral sex)
- Women
  - Receiving oral sex:
    - Mean: 1.14 (sexually inactive in the past 12 months)
    - Minimum: 0 (never had oral sex)
    - Maximum: 4 (sometimes received oral sex)
  - Giving oral sex:
    - Mean: 1.22 (sexually inactive in the past 12 months)
    - Minimum: 0 (never had oral sex)
    - Maximum: 4 (sometimes received oral sex)
- (The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 2019)⁶

Here’s how often Americans give oral sex each month by sexuality, gender, and relationship status:
(Average frequency of performing oral sex per month)
- Overall: 5.32 times per month
- Sexuality:
  - Heterosexual: 5.14 times per month
  - Gay: 5.37 times per month
  - Lesbian: 4.57 times per month
  - Bisexual: 6.77 times per month
- Gender:
  - Men: 4.97 times per month
  - Women: 5.98 times per month
- Relationship Status:
  - Single: 5.64 times per month
  - In a relationship: 5.25 times per month
- (Bespoke Surgical, 2020)²

Here’s how often Americans receive oral sex each month by sexuality, gender, and relationship status:
(Average frequency of performing oral sex per month)
- Overall: 5.20 times
- Sexuality:
  - Heterosexual: 5.08 times per month
  - Gay: 5.31 times per month
  - Lesbian: 8.86 times per month
  - Bisexual: 5.69 times per month
- Gender:
  - Men: 5.44 times per month
  - Women: 4.85 times per month
- Relationship Status:
  - Single: 5.44 times per month
  - In a relationship: 5.14 times per month
- (Bespoke Surgical, 2020)²
13.09% of women reported pain during oral sex compared to just 2.20% of men.
- (The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 2019)⁶

Here’s how often Americans give analingus each month by sexuality, gender, and relationship status:
- Overall: 2.14 times per month
- Sexuality:
  - Heterosexual: 1.91 times per month
  - Gay: 2.71 times per month
  - Lesbian: 5.86 times per month
  - Bisexual: 3.26 times per month
- Gender:
  - Men: 2.33 times per month
  - Women: 1.85 times per month
- Relationship Status:
  - Single: 2.32 times per month
  - In a relationship: 2.10 times per month
- (Bespoke Surgical, 2020)²

Here’s how often Americans receive analingus each month by sexuality, gender, and relationship status:
- Overall: 2.00 times per month
- Sexuality
  - Heterosexual: 1.73 times per month
  - Gay: 4.26 times per month
  - Lesbian: 3.36 times per month
  - Bisexual: 3.19 times per month
- Gender
  - Men: 1.97 times per month
  - Women: 2.06 times per month
- Relationship Status
  - Single: 2.10 times per month
  - In a relationship: 1.97 times per month
- (Bespoke Surgical, 2020)²

Do Americans Enjoy Oral Sex?

Most studies show that, yes, Americans (and likely the world) do, in fact, enjoy oral. Women generally like to receive more than men, and men like to give it more than women. Yet somehow, men still receive more oral! Here are the stats:

90.9% of women enjoy receiving oral sex.
- The remaining 9.1% do not enjoy receiving oral sex.
- (Bad Girls Bible, 2021a)⁷
Men are almost twice as likely to say that giving oral sex is very pleasurable (52% vs. 28%).
- (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2016)⁴
79.4% of women said they had had an unsatisfying or unenjoyable oral sex experience.
- 20.6% of women say they have never had a bad oral sex experience.
- (Bad Girls Bible, 2021a)⁷
33% of Americans have felt at least some social or societal pressure to have oral sex.
- (Bespoke Surgical, 2020)²
51.39% of Americans say refusing to have oral sex is a relationship dealbreaker.
- (Bespoke Surgical, 2020)²
48.6% of women say they enjoy receiving analingus (also known as anilingus or oral-anal sex).
- 51.4% of women do not enjoy receiving analingus.
- (Bad Girls Bible, 2021a)⁷
In another study, 37.7% of women enjoy receiving analingus (also known as anilingus or oral-anal contact).
- (Bad Girls Bible, 2021b)⁸

The most important factors for enjoying oral sex (cunnilingus):
- “How my partner made me feel mentally/emotionally”: 24%
- “I had an orgasm”: 21.5%
- “The techniques my partner used”: 19.8%
- “My partner was enthusiastic”: 16.6%
- “My physical attraction to my partner”: 12.8%
- “Other”: 4.6%
- “The location”: 0.6%
- (Bad Girls Bible, 2021a – Estimation based on the graph)⁷

Common reasons for unenjoyable oral sex (cunnilingus)
- “My partner had bad technique”: 55.9%
- “I didn’t orgasm“: 47.7%
- “I felt uncomfortable/couldn’t fully relax”: 47.7%
- “My partner was unenthusiastic”: 27.5%
- “I was worried about my vaginal hygiene”: 24.9%
- “Experience ending too quickly”: 17.1%
- “It lasted too long”: 14.5%
- “I wasn’t attracted to my partner”: 12.5%
- “I was forced/pressured into it”: 6.5%
- “Other“: 5.83%
- “The location made it unenjoyable“: 5.02%
- (Bad Girls Bible, 2021a – Estimation based on the graph)⁷
76.8% (over three quarters) of women have given a blow job that they did not enjoy.
- 23.2% of women have enjoyed all the blow jobs that they’ve given.
- (Bad Girls Bible, 2021c⁹
92.6% of women like to give blow jobs
- 91.7% of them liked their most recent blow job.
- (Bad Girls Bible, 2021c)⁹
Here are the reasons women enjoyed their most recent blow job:
Note: Participants could only select one option.
- “I liked pleasing my partner”: 60.2%
- “It turned me on/made me horny”: 21.2%
- “I liked feeling powerful & in control“: 10%
- “I liked feeling submissive”: 5.5%
- “Other reasons“: 3.1%
  - Other reasons included:
    - “Feeling it grow in my mouth”
    - “I love the sensation of his member on my lips and tongue”
    - “All of the above”
- (Bad Girls Bible, 2021c)⁹
Reasons women gave for negative blow job experiences:
- Pressured/forced: 43.4%
- Took too long to cum: 35.4%
- Bad hygiene: 24.2%
- Too much pubic hair: 23.3%
- Gagged on their penis: 20.5%
- Penis was too small: 9.4%
- Penis was too big: 7.8%
- They came too quickly: 5.3%
- Other reasons: 17.9%
  - Other reasons included:
    - Not being in the mood
    - Feeling tired
    - No sexual chemistry/attraction
    - Lack of an erection from their partner
    - Suffering from lockjaw
    - Cramping muscles in the mouth
    - Feeling nervous
- (Bad Girls Bible, 2021c)⁹

How Often Do Americans Ejaculate or Have Orgasms in Oral Sex?

Many people have orgasms from oral – but especially women. In fact, some say it’s the only way they can come!

How often do Americans reach orgasm from oral sex:
- Some of the time: 31.2%
- Most of the time: 22.4%
- Every time or nearly every time: 19.8%
- About half of the time: 13.5%
- Never or almost never: 13.1%
- (Bespoke Surgical, 2020)²
51.8% of women had an orgasm the last time they received oral sex.
- (Bad Girls Bible, 2021a)⁷
78.1% of women have had an orgasm at least once during a previous oral sex experience.
- (Bad Girls Bible, 2021a)⁷
1 in 7 women (14%) squirted the last time they received oral sex.
- (Bad Girls Bible, 2021a)⁷
31.1% of women have squirted at least once during a previous experience of oral sex.
- (Bad Girls Bible, 2021a)⁷

Oral Sex vs. Vaginal Sex: What Do Americans Prefer?

According to these stats, most people seem to enjoy oral and vaginal sex about the same:

1 in 12 women (8.4%) prefer receiving oral sex to vaginal sex.
- (Bad Girls Bible, 2021a)⁷
30.5% of women prefer having vaginal intercourse.
- These women prefer vaginal sex 3.7 times more than oral sex.
- (Bad Girls Bible, 2021a)⁷
61.1% of women find oral sex and vaginal sex equally enjoyable.
- (Bad Girls Bible, 2021a)⁷
50.4% of Americans (52.13% of men and 54.67% of women) think oral sex is more intimate than penetrative sex.
- (Bespoke Surgical, 2020)²

Sexual Behaviors and Preferences During Oral Sex

Ever wondered what to do when your partner is giving you oral? Here’s what studies have shown what others do:

What people do while giving oral sex:
- Playing with partner’s other body parts: 66%
- Nothing: 13.3%
- Masturbating: 11.7%
- Grabbing partner’s hair: 7.4%
- Other: 1.6%
- (Bespoke Surgical, 2020)²
How often does oral sex lead to other kinds of sex?
- Most of the time: 36.5%
- Every time or nearly every time: 25.8%
- Some of the time: 19.3%
- About half of the time: 13.9%
- Never or almost never: 4.5%
- (Bespoke Surgical, 2020)²
Women want cunnilingus sessions to last for 19 minutes and 40 seconds on average.
- (Bad Girls Bible, 2021a)⁷
Women’s ideal blow job duration:
- “To last as long as their partner wants”: 40.2%
- “5-10 minutes”: 28.1%
- “5 minutes”: 11.8%
- “11-15 minutes“: 10.7%
- (Bad Girls Bible, 2021c)⁹
Here’s where people giving oral sex prefer their partner to ejaculate:
- On or in my penis/vagina: 36.71%
- In my mouth: 28.27%
- On my face: 20.24%
- Elsewhere on my body: 17.46%
- On or in my butt: 14.29%
- On themselves: 11.81%
- On an inanimate object (towel, floor, sheets, etc.): 12.80%
- (Note: Respondents can select all that apply)
- (Bespoke Surgical, 2020)²
Here’s where people receiving oral sex would prefer to ejaculate:
- On or in my partner’s genitals: 30.54%
- In my partner’s mouth: 49.50%
- On my partner’s face: 31.15%
- Elsewhere on my partner’s body: 21.43%
- On or in my partner’s butt: 20.34%
- On myself: 8.04%
- On an inanimate object (towel, floor, sheets, etc.): 9.62%
- (Bespoke Surgical, 2020)²

55% of women said their favorite way to finish a blow job is for their partner to ejaculate in their mouth and then swallow it.
- Having their partner finish in the mouth and swallowing is over 7 times more popular than the number of women who chose their partner ejaculating in their mouth and then spitting, with only 7.8% of women choosing to spit.
- (Bad Girls Bible, 2021c)⁹
Favorite ways for women to finish a blow job:
- “My partner cums in my mouth then swallow it”: 55.5%
- “My partner cums on my body”: 19.8%
- “My partner cums in my mouth and I spit”: 7.8%
- “Other“: 7.0%
- “Partner’s cum never touches my body”: 6.1%
- “My partner cums on my face”: 3.8%
- (Bad Girls Bible, 2021c)⁹
92% of women enjoy when their partner uses their fingers on/in their vagina when receiving oral sex.
- (Bad Girls Bible, 2021a)⁷
21.2% of women prefer their partner to have some kind of facial hair.
- (Bad Girls Bible, 2021a)⁷
Women’s facial hair preference of the oral sex giver:
- “It doesn’t matter”: 52.3%
- “I prefer a partner to be clean shaved”: 26.5%
- “I prefer a partner to have a beard”: 10.7%
- “I prefer a partner to have stubble“: 10.5%
- (Bad Girls Bible, 2021a)⁷
10.3% of women like to receive oral sex on their period.
- (Bad Girls Bible, 2021a)⁷
12.1% of Americans strongly dislike kissing their partner after oral sex.
- (Bespoke Surgical, 2020)²

Women’s Preferred Oral Sex Positions

How women give and receive oral varies, but most seem to enjoy being eaten out while lying down on their back, and most dislike “69-ing”. Note that, unfortunately, no data was available on sex positions for analingus/oral-anal contact – these stats are just for cunnilingus and/or fellatio.

49.5% of women prefer their partner to lay down on their back while they were between their partner’s legs as their favorite position.
- (Bad Girls Bible, 2021c)⁹
Women’s least favorite blow job position is the “69” position.
- 65.3% of women said “69-ing” was their least favorite position to perform oral sex in.
- (Bad Girls Bible, 2021c)⁹
Women’s favorite cunnilingus positions:
- Lying down on their back: 67.3%
- Sitting on my partner’s face: 10.7%
- 69: 8.9%
- On my hands and knees: 4.3%
- Other: 4.3%
  - Responses included in “Other”:
    - Any position where I feel like my vagina is not a spectacle.
    - At the top of the stairs on my back with my legs raised and feet resting on the handrails.
    - All of the above.
    - It’s a tie between sitting on his face and laying down.
    - Laying down on my back with a pillow under my bottom and knees to my chest.
- I’m sitting down: 2.9%
- I’m standing: 1.6%
- (Bad Girls Bible, 2021a)⁷
Women’s least favorite cunnilingus positions:
- 69: 26.4%
- I’m standing: 25.9%
- Sitting on my partner’s face: 19.5%
- On my hands and knees: 12.2%
- I’m sitting down: 7.5%
- Other: 4.9%
- Lying down on my back: 3.6%
- (Bad Girls Bible, 2021a)⁷

How Do Most Americans View Oral Sex and Their Perceived Benefits?

Most people enjoy oral sex and find it to be a pleasurable experience. However, according to this data, many are uncomfortable, self-conscious, or ashamed when asked about oral.

How Americans feel about oral sex:
- “It’s pleasurable”: 80.7%
- “It’s fun“: 73.5%
- “It makes me feel close to/intimate with my partner”: 55.8%
- “It makes me self-conscious”: 25.3%
- “It’s uncomfortable”: 13.5%
- “It makes me feel dirty”: 11.8%
- “It’s gross“: 6.3%
- “It’s shameful”: 3.5%
- (Note: Respondents can select all that apply)
- (Bespoke Surgical, 2020)²
American adolescents’ perceived chance of benefiting from oral sex:
- Experience pleasure: 59.19%
- Feel good about self: 40.26%
- Be more popular: 26.85%
- The relationship gets better: 39.71%
- (PEDIATRICS, 2005)¹⁰

The Risks of Unprotected Oral sex

While oral sex is fun for both parties involved, there are still risks. Many people will participate in oral sex because they can’t get pregnant from it, without realizing that STIs can still spread from oral – and in some cases, are actually more contagious this way.

34.92% of Americans say they’ve used a barrier method of protection during oral sex (ex: condoms, dental dams).
- (Bespoke Surgical, 2020)²
Young people’s perception of the riskiness of oral sex without protection by gender:
- All – on a scale of 1-5, with 1 being not risky at all and 5 being very risky:
  - 1 (Not risky at all): 8.2% (72 respondents)
  - 2: 23.2% (205 respondents)
  - 3: 30.5% (269 respondents)
  - 4: 15.4% (136 respondents)
  - 5 (Very risky): 20.2% (178 respondents)
- Female – on a scale of 1-5 with 1 being not risky at all, and 5 being very risky:
  - 1 (Not risky at all): 5.0% (26 respondents)
  - 2: 18.4% (96 respondents)
  - 3: 31.0% (163 respondents)
  - 4: 19.1% (100 respondents)
  - 5 (Very risky): 23.7% (124 respondents)
- Male – on a scale of 1-5, with 1 being not risky at all and 5 being very risky:
  - 1 (Not risky at all): 14.3% (42 respondents)
  - 2: 32.0% (94 respondents)
  - 3: 29.9% (88 respondents)
  - 4: 9.5% (28 respondents)
  - 5 (Very risky): 12.2% (36 respondents)
- (The Annals of Family Medicine, 2022)¹¹
Here’s a young American’s perspective on the riskiness of oral sex without protection: “There’s a chance for sexual disease transmission but lower than with vaginal sex and no worry of pregnancy.”
- (The Annals of Family Medicine, 2022)¹¹
Perceived reasons why very few use protection during oral sex by gender:
- Survey of American Youth:
- All
  - Lack of education: 22.4% (200 respondents)
  - No perceived STI risk: 19.8% (177 respondents)
  - Sensation/pleasure: 19.3% (172 respondents)
  - No pregnancy risk: 15.7% (140 respondents)
  - Access/cost: 11.6% (104 respondents)
- Female
  - Lack of education: 26.7% (139 respondents)
  - No perceived STI risk: 20.9% (109 respondents)
  - Sensation/pleasure: 18.2% (95 respondents)
  - No pregnancy risk: 14.6% (76 respondents)
  - Access/cost: 11.1% (58 respondents)
- Male
  - Lack of education: 14.2% (43 respondents)
  - No perceived STI risk: 17.2% (52 respondents)
  - Sensation/pleasure: 21.8% (66 respondents)
  - No pregnancy risk: 17.8% (54 respondents)
  - Access/cost: 10.6% (32 respondents)
- (The Annals of Family Medicine, 2022)¹¹
Young Americans’ perceived risks for not using protection during oral sex:
- All
  - STIs/diseases: 88.0% (760 respondents)
  - Seems not risky: 5.7% (49 respondents)
- Female
  - STIs/diseases: 89.0% (455 respondents)
  - Seems not risky: 3.1% (16 respondents)
- Male
  - STIs/diseases: 85.4% (245 respondents)
  - Seems not risky: 10.8% (31 respondents)
- (The Annals of Family Medicine, 2022)¹¹
All STIs/STDs that can be transmitted through oral sex:
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
  - Life-threatening sexual transmitting disease.
  - Hampers the immune system, especially CD4 cells.
  - Secondary and superinfections proceed.
  - No cure, but HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy) has significant effects.
  - Frequent transmission mode:
    - Cunnilingus, fellatio, and analingus.
- Gonorrhea
  - Sexually transmitted disease.
  - Causes a sore throat.
  - Causes a burning sensation and discharge from the penis.
  - In extreme cases, can cause infertility and tubal pungency in women.
  - Increases HIV load.
  - Treatment with antibiotics under proper medical visualization.
  - Frequent transmission mode:
    - Fellatio.
- Syphilis
  - Sexually transmitted disease.
  - Syphilis is easily passed through contact with open sores (commonly called chancres) on the penis, anus, or mouth (White spots in the mouth)
  - Sores, warts, and rashes of syphilis infection are painless.
  - Left untreated, syphilis can eventually cause brain damage, heart disease, blindness, and death.
  - Open syphilis sores or chancres provide an easy entry and exit for HIV and can increase the viral load.
  - Antibiotic coverage and periodic medical checkups will be the line of treatment.
  - Frequent transmission mode:
    - Analingus, cunnilingus, and fellatio.
- Chlamydia
  - STD is caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria and affects women more than men.
  - Common features include pain while urinating, smelly vaginal or penile discharge, and spotting after intercourse, which can be found in the throat but less commonly than gonorrhea.
  - In extreme cases, it causes severe damage to women’s reproductive system, including permanent infertility.
  - Increases HIV viral load.
  - It can be cured by proper medical treatment.
  - Frequent transmission mode:
    - Fellatio, cunnilingus, and analingus.
- Herpes
  - An STD caused by the herpes simplex virus is the most common cause of genital ulceration.
  - There are two types of herpes virus; Type 1 affects mainly the lip causing cold sores, and Type 2 causes blisters on the genitals.
  - Sores and blisters (usually on the lips, genitals, or anus) are very infectious and painful.
  - Research suggests that having genital herpes can more than double your risk for HIV infection.
  - Some individuals with herpes usually have periodic outbreaks throughout their lives.
  - Treatment can reduce the frequency and severity of herpes outbreaks, but there is no cure.
  - Frequent transmission mode:
    - Fellatio, cunnilingus, and analingus.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV – Genital warts)
  - HPV infection and genital warts are some of the most common STDs.
  - Warts usually appear on the penis or in the anus but may also occur in or around the mouth or lips.
  - Genital warts may be more common and; harder to treat.
  - HPV spreads through skin-to-skin contact, contact with warts, or HPV.
  - While most strains of HPV only cause warts, some strains may cause oral or throat cancers.
  - Different cures are available, but the virus stays in the body.
  - Frequent transmission mode:
    - Fellatio, cunnilingus, and analingus.
- Non-specific urethritis
  - NSU can cause burning when urinating and/or discharge from the penis.
  - Infections of the throat can cause a sore throat.
  - NSU may amplify viral load in semen, making it easier to spread HIV.
  - Manageable with antibiotics and hospitalization.
  - Frequent transmission mode:
    - Fellatio and cunnilingus.
- Hepatitis A and E
  - Both of these diseases can be spread through oral sex. Hepatitis A and E are both contagious viral infections of the liver.
  - Common symptoms of hepatitis are fever, diarrhea, loss of appetite, dark urine, vomiting, jaundice, and pain in the abdomen.
  - Vaccination is available for prevention.
  - Frequent transmission mode:
    - Analingus.
- Hepatitis B
  - Hepatitis B is most commonly transmitted by inoculation of infected blood; virus particles are found in semen, stool, saliva, and blood.
  - There is clear evidence that it can be transmitted through vaginal and anal intercourse, but whether it can be transmitted through oral sex is unproven.
  - Hepatitis B can cause weakness, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes), and an enlarged liver.
  - Vaccination is available for prevention.
  - Frequent transmission mode:
    - Fellatio, cunnilingus, and analingus.
- Bowel organisms and worms
  - The bowel organisms Salmonella, Shigella, and Campylobacter can all be transmitted via analingus.
  - Cause abdominal pain and diarrhea.
  - It can be treated well after a microbiological stool examination.
  - Frequent transmission mode:
    - Analingus.
- Intestinal parasites
  - These include Amoeba, Giardia, and Cryptosporidia.
  - Symptoms include Unknown diarrhea, stomach cramps, bloating, increased gas, and nausea.
  - Treated well after a microbiological stool examination
  - Frequent transmission mode:
    - Analingus.
- (Journal of Global Infectious Diseases, 2010)¹

Conclusion

Oral sex can be a great way to enjoy your partner, give (and receive) an intimate experience, and have an orgasm. It’s one of the most common kinds of sex and is enjoyed by all genders and sexualities. But it does have risks, despite most people engaging in unprotected oral. So stay safe, have fun, and get busy!

Footnotes

Journal of Global Infectious Diseases, 2010. A study on oral sex, health, and orogenital infections.
Bespoke Surgical, 2020. A survey of 1,008 U.S. citizens over 18 years of age.
The Journal of Sex Research, 2020. A study of 2,556 American adolescents aged 18-19-year-old.
The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2007. A study of 12,571 American men and women aged 15-44 years.
The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2016. A study of 899 Canadian university students.
The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 2019. A study of 884 American heterosexual couples.
Bad Girls Bible, 2021a. A survey of 1,058 women respondents on receiving oral sex.
Bad Girls Bible, 2021b. A survey of 1,260 women participants on liking anal sex.
Bad Girls Bible, 2021c. A survey of 1,114 women respondents on giving blow jobs.
PEDIATRICS, 2005. A study on 580 American ninth-grade adolescents.
The Annals of Family Medicine, 2022. A study of 909 American youths.