Oral sex
Sexual activity involving mouth stimulation of genitals.
Oral sex, also known as oral intercourse, encompasses several distinct acts. Cunnilingus refers to the oral stimulation of the vulva, while fellatio is the oral stimulation of the penis. A third form, anilingus, involves oral stimulation of the anus. This activity can serve as foreplay to heighten arousal before vaginal or anal intercourse, or it can be an end in itself as an erotic and physically intimate act. People of any sexual orientation may engage in oral sex.
Various positions and practices exist. In facesitting, the receiving partner positions their genitals over the giver's face. The "sixty-nine" position allows both partners to perform oral sex on each other simultaneously. A forced form of fellatio, known as irrumatio, occurs when one person actively thrusts their penis into the other's mouth. Rare variants of self-stimulation include autofellatio and autocunnilingus, the latter requiring extreme flexibility. Group sex scenarios involving one woman performing fellatio on multiple men are sometimes called a gangsuck, blowbang, or lineup, while bukkake and gokkun may also involve oral sex.
Oral sex is often used to preserve virginity, particularly among heterosexual teenagers, a concept sometimes termed "technical virginity." In this view, penile-vaginal penetration defines virginity loss, while oral sex does not. Among gay men, some consider oral sex a way to maintain virginity, reserving that status for penile-anal penetration. Conversely, many lesbian pairings view oral sex or fingering as resulting in virginity loss, though definitions vary.
While oral sex alone cannot cause pregnancy, as there is no connection between the gastrointestinal and reproductive systems, pregnancy risk exists if semen contacts the vaginal area indirectly. Oral sex carries a risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections, though the transmission risk, particularly for HIV, is significantly lower than for vaginal or anal sex. Barrier methods like condoms for fellatio or dental dams for cunnilingus offer some protection. A makeshift dental dam can be created from a condom or glove, though using a real dental dam is preferable. Plastic wrap is also used, but its effectiveness against disease transmission has not been scientifically studied.
- forms
- Cunnilingus, fellatio, anilingus, facesitting, sixty-nine, irrumatio, autofellatio, autocunnilingus
- virginity_preservation
- Often considered technical virginity, especially among heterosexual teenagers
- contraception
- Does not result in pregnancy; sperm must enter uterus and fallopian tubes
- STI_risk
- Lower than vaginal or anal sex, but still possible; barrier methods recommended
- cancer_link
- Unprotected oral sex with HPV-infected person may increase risk of oral and throat cancer
Lore & Background
Oral sex is a form of sexual activity involving the stimulation of another person's genitals using the mouth, including the lips, tongue, or teeth. The practice takes several distinct forms: cunnilingus is the oral stimulation of the vulva, fellatio is the oral stimulation of the penis, and anilingus involves oral stimulation of the anus. Various positions are employed, such as facesitting, where the receiving partner sits on the giver's face, and the sixty-nine position, in which both partners simultaneously perform oral sex on each other. A forced variant of fellatio is known as irrumatio, while rare self-stimulation forms include autofellatio and autocunnilingus. In group contexts, an act limited to one woman giving oral sex to multiple men is called a gangsuck, blowbang, or lineup. Oral sex may serve as foreplay to incite arousal before other sexual activities, or it can be an intimate act in its own right. It is often regarded as taboo, though most countries do not legally ban it. Many people do not consider oral sex to affect virginity, a view sometimes termed "technical virginity," particularly among teenagers and same-sex couples. While oral sex cannot result in pregnancy, it does pose a risk for contracting sexually transmitted infections, though the transmission risk, especially for HIV, is significantly lower than for vaginal or anal intercourse. Barrier protections such as condoms for fellatio or dental dams for cunnilingus can offer some protection, though no such methods have been evaluated as effective by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Reader's Guide
Oral sex is a common sexual practice with varied cultural and personal significance. It is often regarded as taboo, though most countries do not ban it. Many people, especially teenagers, use oral sex to preserve virginity—termed 'technical virginity'—by avoiding penile-vaginal penetration. Definitions of virginity loss vary among gay men and lesbians. Oral sex does not result in pregnancy, as there is no connection between the gastrointestinal and reproductive systems; however, semen contacting the vaginal area via fingers or other body parts poses a risk. Barrier methods like condoms or dental dams can reduce STI transmission, though no such methods have been FDA-evaluated for oral sex. Studies indicate that oral sex is commonly practiced by sexually active couples of various ages and orientations, with males more likely to have received it. Health risks include transmission of STIs such as chlamydia, HPV, and HIV, though risk is lower than for vaginal or anal sex. HPV infection from oral sex has been linked to oral and throat cancers. The practice may also reduce miscarriage risk through immunological tolerance, though this is not fully established.
Did You Know?
- Oral sex may be performed as foreplay or as an erotic act in its own right.
- Unprotected oral sex on a person infected with HPV may increase the risk of oral cancer.
- Oral sex does not result in pregnancy because the gastrointestinal and reproductive systems are not connected.
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