Making oral sex safe again with a glove of love

Oral sex is great and all, but it can also spread disease. Gross, we know. But think about it oral sex puts you into contact with skin and fluids, any of which can contain disease-carrying bacteria. And spitting out this kind of bacteria will not protect you from infection.

In part two of the Health For Mzansi podcast on intimacy, Gqeberha’s Dr Mthembeni chat shares his insights on safe oral sex and how mental health can impact sexy time.

Celeb doc Dr Mthembeni Tebelele joins this episode of the Health For Mzansi podcast to unpack intimacy. Photo: Health For Mzansi

Making oral sex safe for all

Simple acts like shaving too close and flossing leave tiny cuts that can allow viruses and bacteria to enter the body, explains Tebelele.

While abstinence from oral-penile, oral-vaginal, and oral-anal contact is the most effective protection against STIs during oral sex, there are ways to make these acts safer. Condoms.

“Use of a condom is recommended in terms of safety,” says Tebelele.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that can be passed from one partner to another through oral sex include herpes, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis, and Human papillomavirus (HPV).

A protected experience

Tebelele adds, “Condoms have got nice smells these days. They have got various smells like strawberries. You can have blowjobs with condoms, it is safer, and it minimizes the risk of contracting HIV, gonorrhoea in the mouth, syphilis and all other sorts of STIs.”

Condoms and dental dams may be effective but they do not have a 100% guarantee, says Tebelele. In order to make oral sex a safe experience, the method of protection must fit correctly and also don’t be shy to lube it up.

“The condom must fit properly, there must be a neutral lubricant because it can make the situation very clumsy,” he says.

Here’s how to go down on someone with a vulva and vagina

Cunnilingus or oral vaginal sex can be great for maximizing your partner’s pleasure gents. Just be sure to be gentle when it comes to giving your female partner oral sex, says Tebelele sternly.

“The clitoris is very sensitive. So, you must listen…watch the eyes, watch the movement, listen to the response, and be gentle. It is a soft tissue; it has a lot of nerves,” he says.