Condoms for oral?

[HornyInPDX]

How many people out there regularly (or ever) use condoms or dams for oral play. I know that if you really want to be safe you have to use protection for anything other than a hand job, but it sure takes some of the fun and spontaneity out of it. My wife and I don't have a lot of experience to draw from. We've really only played with one other couple, but being fairly sure that they were disease-free we just jumped right in and didn't worry about it. I still worry a bit, though, especially now that we're hitting the local on-premise club more often and want to meet more couples. Any advice or insights are appreciated. Thanks.

p.s. You all were a great resource the last time I had a question.

[Beaverbumper]

We dont and dont plan on using oral condums. It just dont appeal to us.

[playmatesinpgh]

We never use protection when having oral sex and we have never had anyone ask us to, either giving or receiving...

[M and H]

Hi HornyInPDX,

If you click on "search" in the tool bar above, and type in "condom poll" in the box that opens up, you'll be directed to lots and lots of threads relating to this subject.

But to answer your question directly ... given our choice, we use condoms for intercourse only, but if someones wants to use a condom or dam for oral, we'd be happy to oblige.

M

[LikeMinds321]

We had the same concerns about protection when we first discussed swinging. My husband even put a condom on and I gave him oral a couple times to see what the experience would be like. Neither of us enjoyed it and decided then that we'd go without when giving and receiving oral.

Something else I'll mention, if a man wears a spermicide treated condom you'll not want to put it in your mouth. Even when a man wears one for intercourse, then removes it and you give him oral the residue from the treated condom will probably burn/tingle your lips; that's what I experienced. So don't think it's a 'bad' penis. It's the spermicide.

LM

[LFM2]

We use condoms for intercourse only. Oral sex is Au natural.

[JacobSky]

I havn't used them, and I don't want to. Still, I do understand that most all std's can be transmitted orally just as well as during intercourse. For this reason, I prefer to remain frequently tested and attempt to find partners that will stay tested as well. I also prefer having fewer partners and having partners that also have very few parnters. This low number swinging along with testing brings the statistical risk down enough for me to take the chances of not using condoms for oral. After all agree, I'm also open to intercourse without condoms in such sexual relationships.

I understand that the risks are still present, but testing may cut them down to a comfortable level for all involved. I feel that using condoms with non-tested partners involves higher risk than not using condoms with tested partners.

[good times]

Originally Posted by HornyInPDX

I know that if you really want to be safe you have to use protection for anything other than a hand job

I would like to know how you "know" that, as common STD's like HPV and Herpes can be transfered just as easily with your hand, by towel or any number of other ways. So in my opinion, (I am not a medical expert and I don't even play one on tv) If you give someone a hand job and then touch your own genitals you would have a much higher risk of getting an std than by giving oral.

Since this subject has been beat to death here I will refer you to the most recent previous threads if you are interested in reading some previous answers to this question.

Condomless Oral Opinions.

We just have to vent! (about condomless oral)

[HornyInPDX]

Thank you all very much for taking the time to respond. That pretty much confirms what I thought, but now we have a lot more information to consider in deciding how to proceed.

[Willfox]

What can I do make oral sex safer?
Avoid coming in someone's mouth. Or having them come in yours. Remember, even with pre-cum there's still some risk. "Swallow or spit, don't let it sit."

You can also avoid sucking the tip of the penis, concentrating on the shaft instead. Place non-lubed condom inside out like a little cap over the head of the penis.

Oral-vaginal sex (cunnilingus) with someone of unknown HIV status is also relatively low risk. The risk of infection with STD's is higher if there is menstrual blood or an unusual vaginal discharge. Make your partner a Saran Wrap panty or use a latex dental dam with a harness for even safer oral sex.

If you see something suspicious - a sore or a discharge on someone's penis or a funny odor or sores on the vulva, avoid going down on it.

Know your STD status and don't put yourself or others at unnecessary risk. Get checked for STDs including gonorrhea, herpes, genital warts, and syphilis.

Consider using condoms for oral sex. Try Kimono Micro Thins, Lifestyles "Kiss of Mint," or Trustex condoms which have flavored lubricants. And don't knock it until you've tried it. Condoms without spermicide taste a lot better.

Avoid deep throating. It can irritate the tissue at the back of the throat, and possibly provide a more efficient route for HIV to enter the body. Floss and brush regularly - but not right before you have oral sex. If you want to freshen up your breath before kissing your partner, try mouthwash. Schedule a dental check-up too! Above all, make the choice that's right for you.

Performing Oral Sex on a Man: Known risks:

Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
Hep A
Herpes
HPV (warts)
Shigella*
Syphilis

[Willfox]

Kissing, mutual masturbation, and frottage or dry humping are considered safer sex activities, with little to no risk of STD transmission.
Using latex condoms (male or female) significantly reduces the risk of contracting STDs during anal, vaginal and oral sex.
Washing hands and the genital area thoroughly before and after oral-anal sex reduces the risk of transmission of most of the listed STDs and conditions. Condom use reduces transmission risk even further.

Oral Sex
Many people are unclear on the risks associated with oral sex. Questions about oral sex and the risk of contracting an STD are very common in outreaches and at the SHPRC. Many people engage in unprotected oral sex, and are particularly concerned with the risks associated with not using protection.
What are the risks:
Herpes is probably the biggest STD risk during oral sex. Both strains of herpes can live in the mouth or the genitals, and particularly during outbreaks (cold sores, herpes lesions) can be passed from one place to the other. Many people have oral herpes, more than 50% of a random group of people will have antibodies to the virus (indicating some level of infection). Having oral herpes for most people is no big deal, a cold sore during times of stress or illness is usually little more than an annoyance. Genital herpes can be more complicated and uncomfortable, but there are treatments (see Herpes Fact Sheet for more info). Care should be taken so that oral herpes are not passed to anyone’s genitals. In general it is not a good idea to have unprotected oral sex while any lesions are present.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea can infect your throat, strep like symptoms, and are curable with antibiotics. These can also infect the eye, and though rare, eye infections can have serious consequences, so be careful with fluids.
HIV can be passed through unprotected oral sex, but it is more likely to be passed during unprotected penetrative sex. The infected semen/precum or vaginal fluid must enter the body through a cut or sore in the mouth or esophagus (ulcers). The virus is unlikely to be passed from a person’s mouth to another person’s genitals.
HPV can be passed during oral sex, but it is rare. HPV has been found on vocal chords.
Syphilis can be passed similar to HIV. Syphilis is curable.
Hepatitis A is a risk particularly in oral & anal sex, and people engaging in this unprotected might want to look into getting a Hep A vaccine. Hep A is not a chronic condition like Hep B and C, but can make a person quite sick several weeks.
Reducing Risks:
To reduce the risk of infection during unprotected oral sex, limit exposure to sexual fluids and ensure that no cuts or lesions are present in mouth or on genitals.
Use barrier methods — though many people feel that barrier methods detract from oral sex, they are very effective at preventing STD transmission:
Oral-penile sex: Male condom, no spermicide (kills taste buds), flavored condoms are available.
Oral-vaginal sex: Dental dams (aka Lollys) — can buy them, or you can use non-microwaveable saran wrap, or cut up a latex glove.
Oral-anal sex: Dental dams, non-microwaveable saran wrap, cut up latex glove
Spit or swallow? Limiting exposure to semen reduces risk of infection, so ejaculation away from partner’s body is the safest. That said, the mouth is the place most likely to contract something like HIV, so the conventional wisdom is, “swallow or spit, just don’t let it sit.”

[Willfox]

HPV
Approximately 20 million people are currently infected with HPV. At least 50 percent of sexually active men and women acquire genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. By age 50, at least 80 percent of women will have acquired genital HPV infection. About 6.2 million Americans get a new genital HPV infection each year.

Most people who have a genital HPV infection do not know they are infected. The virus lives in the skin or mucous membranes and usually causes no symptoms. Some people get visible genital warts, or have pre-cancerous changes in the cervix, vulva, anus, or penis. Very rarely, HPV infection results in anal or genital cancers.

HPV infection can occur in both male and female genital areas that are covered or protected by a latex condom, as well as in areas that are not covered. While the effect of condoms in preventing HPV infection is unknown, condom use has been associated with a lower rate of cervical cancer, an HPV-associated disease.

[Willfox]

Prevention:
Herpes can be transmitted through skin to skin contact, even when no symptoms are obvious (due to asymptomatic viral shedding). Barrier methods such as condoms/dental dams can help reduce this risk, but do not eliminate it due to skin contact beyond area covered by barrier.
Limit number of sexual partners
If sexually active, get tested regularly and talk with your partner(s) about testing together
If active lesions are present, avoid sexual contact
When no active lesions are present, barrier methods (condoms/dental dams) should be used to reduce likelihood of transmission.
If you have herpes, be aware of your body and communicate with your partner about prevention, couples have gone years without transmitting the virus from one partner to another. Contact a medical professional

[2monkeys]

As a dental hygientist I cannot stress enough the importance of good oral hygiene!!! If you don't floss, you have gingivitis. These active sores in your gums are a perfect opening to your blood stream. The best way to know if your gums are 100% healthy, ask your dental hygientist, if you had ANY bleeding during your cleaning. Healthy gums do not bleed during a cleaning.