Oral Sex 101: Fellatio and Condoms
When it comes to sex knowledge, college students may think they know it all. But the truth is most of our high school sex education classes did not suffice. Whether you sat through an abstinence only curriculum or learned the condom-on-a-banana play-by-play, we could all use a little brushing up in the sex ed department. ‘Cause let’s face it, we can never know enough about sex.
I’ve recently discovered that it shocks the majority of my peers to learn that STIs and STDs can get transmitted through oral sex. Ever heard of flavored condoms? Well, guess what they are made for.
Whether you are emotionally involved or not, the act of hooking up is pretty intimate and leaves you in a vulnerable state. So it’s no surprise that embarrassment might spring upon us at the thought of requesting use of protection while giving or receiving.
Here’s the deal: the list of STIs and STDs that can potentially be transmitted through oral sex include HIV, herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, hepatitis A, and genital warts. Oral gonorrhea? It exists. So whether you are the giver or receiver, it is to your benefit to use protection.
We all know of the basic, most practiced form of sex protection in America: the male condom. We’ve gotten the guys covered on that end. But what about when it comes to pleasing the ladies? I had to do some extensive research to tackle this one.
Ahhh…The Dental Dam. Should I be embarrassed to admit I’ve never heard of this?
Dental Dam:
den·tal dam \ˈdent-əl ˈdam\
noun: a thin sheet of latex used as a prophylactic device during cunnilingus.
I know, English please.
The dental dam is a sheet of latex (same material as a condom) used to cover the vaginal opening during oral sex. While dental dams can be difficult to locate in stores, it’s actually quite simple to make one yourself out of a condom. Simply cut off the tip of the condom then cut down one side. Unroll and there you have a dental dam. For a visual, check out the following YouTube vid and for further information on dental dams, I’ve included a link to Brown University’s sexual health site.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmMdthLXbPc&NR=1
Bottom Line: We all know how often you (may) hook up with random dudes/chicks and considering that 1 out of 4 college students has an STD, it’s to your benefit to use a condom/dental dam. And while I’m well aware that most of you will read this article and completely laugh off the thought of using oral sex protection, the least you can do is make certain your partner has been tested and is clean before going any further. Don’t let one time of oral sex haunt you for the rest of your sex life. And if the guy or gal refuses to use protection or get tested, I hope you have the self-love and dignity to walk right out.
But please, don’t use plastic wrap. It comes highly NOT recommended. I’m pretty sure it’s semi-permeable and the last thing I want is some Seran wrap stuffed up there.