Oral sex is using the mouth, lips and tongue to stimulate the penis (fellatio), vagina or clitoris (cunnilingus). It may lead to climax but is not necessary.
Like any sexual activity, oral sex can be dangerous without protection from STIs, so make sure to use a condom or dental dam.
What is oral sex?
Oral sex is sexual intercourse done with the mouth or lips. It involves licking, sucking or stimulating the genitals (cunnilingus), penis (fellatio) or anus (anilingus). It’s often used to prepare for other kinds of sex and can be an important part of sexual pleasure. It’s personal and different for everyone, and some people choose not to have oral sex at all.
It can also be risky if not practiced correctly. Because of this, it’s best to talk with your partner about what you both enjoy and are comfortable with. This can help ensure you’re both on the same page about expectations and that everyone is safe.
It’s also important to use lubrication when practicing oral sex. Spit can dry up the genitals and cause itching or friction, but there are lots of store-bought lubes that are safe to ingest, including flavored ones. Using lube can also help you avoid accidentally touching a sore or cut in the mouth, vagina or clitoris, which could lead to infection. This kind of contact is one way sexually transmitted infections are spread, so it’s especially important to always use protection when having casual oral sex.
How do I have oral sex?
Oral sex involves stimulating your partner’s erogenous zones using the mouth and tongue. It can be done to the glans of the penis (fellatio) or the vulva, vagina, and clitoris (cunnilingus). It’s important that you and your partner communicate openly about trying oral pleasure together. You want to make sure both of you really want to go down there and that the experience will be mutually pleasurable.
Then, you can start exploring with different techniques and practices to see what feels good for you both. It’s also important to use lubrication. Spit isn’t a very good choice for this because it can be drying, but there are many store-bought lubes that are safe to swallow and designed specifically for oral sex.
It’s important to remember that oral sex can lead to climax, but it can also be satisfying without it. It’s a great way to increase intimacy and sexual confidence, and it can be a fun way to prepare for penetrative sex. Just be sure to practice consistent, safe touch and always use protection.
How do I know if I’m ready to have oral sex?
Oral sex is often described as arousing or satisfying, but it can be uncomfortable for some. It’s important to communicate clearly with your partner about how you feel about it. Your partner can’t read your mind, so they won’t know if licking counterclockwise circles on your clitoris gives you full-body chills or that your favorite part of oral is a combination of G-spot and clitoral stimulation.
Whether you call it going down, giving a blowjob, or the fancy terms fellatio and cunnilingus, it’s a pleasure that can be arousing for both men and women of any sexual orientation. It’s also a great way to give your partner a taste of what you want during penetration or to add extra sensations to your sex life.
Just like with other forms of sex, it’s important to protect yourself from STIs. Discussing protection and using a dental dam is an easy step you can take before engaging in oral sex. It’ll help ensure that both partners are enjoying it and it doesn’t cause discomfort or lead to pain.
How do I protect myself from STIs?
Oral sex can put you at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphillis. These infections are spread through contact with body fluids, including semen, vaginal fluids, blood, urine and feces. They can also be spread by touching genitals or mouths that have cuts, sores, ulcers, gum disease or herpes.
While it’s less likely that you will get pregnant or contract an STI through oral sex than unprotected sexual intercourse, there’s always a risk. That’s why it’s important to use protection, just as you would for penetrative sex or any other sexual activity. You can protect yourself by using a condom to cover the penis, or you can use a dental dam or cut-open condom to cover the vulva and anus (cunnilingus and anilingus). It’s also important to communicate with your partner about safe sex practices before, during and after the activity to ensure that you both understand what’s happening and are comfortable. This is called clear consent.
How do I practice oral sex?
Whether you’re practicing fellatio (oral-penile sex, or a blow job), cunnilingus (oral-vaginal sex), or analingus (oral-anal sex, also known as rimming) it’s important to start slow and find your rhythm. It’s also super important to communicate with your partner and listen to what they want.
For example, many women say that stimulating the clitoris is more pleasurable than penetration, so don’t be afraid to ask them what feels good. The key is to be gentle, especially at first. And don’t forget to use lube!
Remember that oral sex is not about getting orgasm; it’s about arousing your partner, deepening intimacy and sexual confidence, and bringing both of you pleasure. And if orgasm happens, that’s just a cherry on top. To learn more about oral sex, pick up the new issue of Woman’s Day on newsstands today or on our digital platforms. Or subscribe today to get 73% off your first 12 issues! (That’s almost two free issues!) We think you’ll love it. Happy reading! (Photo by David Szesztay/Getty Images)
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