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Oral sex: To swallow or not to swallow?

Sucking a cock (fellatio, blow job) or getting sucked is an activity with almost no risk of HIV transmission.

Swallowing sperm is really a question of taste. Once the sperm has been in your mouth or throat, even if you spit, the risk of STBBIs is present.

To reduce the risks of oral sex:

  • Avoid brushing your teeth, using dental floss and using mouthwash for an hour before and an hour after.
  • Take care of any gum problems (inflammation, redness, bleeding) and mouth ulcers.
  • Avoid having oral sex the day you go to the dentist.
  • Avoid taking sperm into your mouth.
  • When getting tested for STIs, ask the doctor to take a throat swab.

The presence of inflammation, bleeding from the gums or mouth ulcers can facilitate the passage of viruses and bacteria into or out of your body. If you like swallowing or taking sperm into your mouth, get tested regularly for STIs.

Also, the risk is different for HIV than it is for other STBBIs. It’s easier to get an STI such as gonorrhea than it is to get HIV from sucking cock.

With oral sex, using a flavoured or unlubricated condom can provide protection against HIV and STIs.

Rimming (oral-anal contact, analingus, licking or eating ass, face-sitting)

Rimming is a very low-risk practice when it comes to HIV transmission, except if blood is present (because of lesions or irritation). However, if the person living with HIV is taking effective treatment and their viral load is undetectable, there’s no chance of sexual transmission.

Rimming does carry a particular risk for the transmission of hepatitis A. There is a vaccine against hepatitis A and hepatitis B. It’s free for all men who have sex with men. Find out more from your doctor or call Info-Santé 811. As well, rimming involves a transmission risk for certain intestinal bacteria and parasites. If you’re exposed, you may have symptoms that resemble those of gastroenteritis (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting).

To reduce the risks of transmission, it’s recommended that you use the same strategies as for a blow job. To lick a person’s ass, you can also use a condom sliced open lengthwise (or a dental dam). To hold it in place better, you can put a few drops of lubricant (water-based or silicone) between the piece of latex and the person’s ass.

If you like a clean ass, don’t hesitate to ask your partner to wash before you put your face in there! This is a great time to express your preferences and talk about sex.