Oral Sex On a Male

Defined:
Oral sex on a male is when one person uses their lips, mouth and tongue on and around the penis and scrotum. It is most commonly referred to in the slang terms 'blow job' or 'giving head', or the more precise term, 'felatio'. Oral sex on a male can also include using the tongue on and around the anus (called 'analingus') and the area between the scrotum and the anus. A common misperception is that performing oral sex on a male is just sucking on the penis, when, in reality, someone skilled in oral sex will use a variety of techniques, spending time licking and kissing around the penis in addition to sucking on it, and using both their hands and their mouth, tongue and lips.

Negative Consequences:

Now we are getting into the more dangerous behaviors requiring more maturity and responsibility than previously discussed sexual behaviors. Another common misperception is that performing oral sex is not 'sex', and that it is perfectly safe. Both are UNTRUE. However, performing oral sex carries no risk of pregnancy, and performing oral sex on a male wearing a condom is much safer than without a condom, and safer than having vaginal sex.

There are three specific things about oral sex on a male that are dangerous. One is that the mouth comes into immediate contact with the penis and scrotum where an STD can be directly passed into the soft tissues inside the mouth. Another risk is the ingestion of blood and semen (even minute amounts) into the soft tissues inside the mouth and throat. The third risk is where there is immediate contact between the mouth or tongue and fecal matter (including bacteria) when performing analingus - though this can be avoided by insuring the area is thoroughly cleaned before having sex, especially with an antibacterial soap.

Positive Consequences:

Oral sex can be an excellent alternative to full sexual intercourse, providing it is done safely. The primary benefits are that of providing pleasure to another person, and positive self-esteem from knowing that you are focusing on and giving pleasure to your partner (one step towards making you a good lover). Additionally, many people find that they enjoy the act of felatio and feel it is part of a well-rounded, exciting sex life.

While performing oral sex for the first time can be a little intimidating (and some people think 'yucky'), if you really want to overcome your fear or concern about 'yuckiness', you might try being inventive and doing something like drizzling your favorite syrup (like chocolate, strawberry, butterscotch) on the penis and start by licking it off. Even if it is the first time performing oral sex, it is most safely done with a condom. Also keep in mind that oral sex can (and actually should) involve more than just the genitals. There are many, many areas on the body that respond with pleasure when caressed with the lips or tongue.

Specific Risks:

To avoid getting an STD from performing oral sex on a male, it is best to do so with the male wearing a condom. The condom acts as a barrier between fluids passing from the penis into the mouth. Also, one should never perform oral sex on someone known to have an STD, or where one can see sores or warts anywhere in the genitals region. If one is going to perform analingus, the best protection is having the person wash/shower/bathe very thoroughly, preferably with an antibacterial soap. As with most sexual behaviors, knowing your partner and their sexual history is also in your favor.

Note: Many people find the taste of a latex (rubber) condom to be unpleasant and avoid using one during oral sex for that reason. However, condoms have recently gone high-tech and there are many, many ways to overcome the rubberish taste. One can now purchase flavored condoms (usually at a condom specialty store or over the Internet) in dozens of flavors, and the newer polyurethane (plastic) condoms have virtually no taste at all. One can also drizzle syrup to overcome the latex taste.