Oral Sex - Protected Or Unprotected (Compiled)

[reflection]

http://www.fridae.com/newsfeatures/article...;searchtype=all

Oral sex risk very low, but not zero, concludes systematic review

By Aidsmap.com

Many consider oral sex to be zero risk for HIV transmission and a safer alternative to penetrative sex but researchers analysing multiple studies on the topic are concluding that oral sex does carry some risk.

The risk of HIV transmission during oral sex is very low, but not zero, conclude researchers from Imperial College and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in the December 2008 issue of the International Journal of Epidemiology. The researchers attempted to identify all the relevant observational studies on the topic, but found that, given the lack of data, it would be inappropriate to make summary estimates for the transmission risk through oral sex.

The authors conducted a systematic review (an analysis of all the medical research on a particular subject that meets predefined requirements). Cohort studies and other observational studies were included, while case reports and reviews were excluded.

The studies reviewed include data from heterosexual, lesbian and gay couples, covering both fellatio and cunnilingus.

Only ten studies were judged to be relevant enough to include in the review. All were from Europe or North America, and only three collected their data after the widespread introduction of combination therapy.

Methodological difficulties

articlepic

The researchers comment on a number of challenges that researchers have encountered in researching this topic.

- Very few people report oral sex as their sole risk behaviour.

- If a person practices both unprotected oral sex and unprotected anal or vaginal sex, and acquires HIV, their infection is normally automatically attributed to the higher risk behaviour.

- Data on individuals’ self-reported sexual behaviour is hard to collect accurately, especially when subjects may prefer to give more socially acceptable answers (i.e. not revealing unprotected anal or vaginal sex).

- Studies have frequently grouped all oral sex practices together, without distinguishing whether it was receptive or insertive, whether ejaculation occurred in the mouth, etc.

- Studies of serodiscordant couples (where one person is HIV-positive and the other is not) are likely to include people with well-controlled viral load, meaning that they are much less infectious than during primary infection stage.

- Studies that do identify a risk from oral sex are more likely to be published and reported than those which do not, because of the interest and comparative novelty of such a finding.

Estimates of the per-partner transmission risk

Five of the studies provided estimates of the risk of multiple oral sex acts during the life of a sero-discordant relationship.

Three of these studies gave that estimate as zero – no transmissions were reported.

The fourth study provided a figure of 1% for receptive fellatio.

The fifth study, from Sweden, provided a much higher estimate of 20%. However, the sample was very small (ten couples reporting oral sex as their only risk factor), and the review authors comment that the high estimate may be due to under-reporting of higher risk activity, or simply due to chance. Moreover, this is the only reviewed study which identified any HIV transmission among heterosexuals that could be attributed to oral sex.

Estimates of the per-partner incidence, per 100 person years

Three of the studies cited in the last section also reported estimates that calculated the transmission risk of multiple oral sex acts, but with the duration of the relationship stated. In each case, the estimate was zero.

Estimates of the per-study-participant transmission risk

Three further studies followed HIV-negative people who reported unprotected oral sex as their sole risk factor. However, the authors note that these studies have additional methodological limitations: the number of sexual partners and their HIV status is not known. This implies that the findings cannot be transferred to other populations where numbers of partners and HIV prevalence are different.

Two American studies gave estimates of 0% and 0.4% respectively, and the more recent Canadian Omega cohort provided a figure of 0.5%. Each study was conducted with gay and bisexual men.

Estimates of the per-act transmission risk

Three studies attempted to calculate the risk of HIV transmission during a single act of oral sex.

Two studies both provided zero estimates – no transmissions were reported.

The third study is Vittinghoff’s often cited paper which used data from American gay or bisexual men who reported multiple risk behaviours. Mathematical models were employed to estimate the risk of different sexual acts, and unprotected receptive oral sex with ejaculation was calculated to have a 0.04% risk of HIV transmission. However, the review authors note that this estimate is based on sex with both infected and uninfected men – if the researchers had been able to exclude sex with HIV-negative partners, the figure would have been higher.

Conclusions

The authors note the paucity of data to inform this review. Reliable estimates would be important for prevention workers and clinicians advising people on the relative risks. Moreover, because of the low risk of transmission, "large and expensive studies" would be required to provide more precise estimates.

They also comment: "The fact that infected study participants with solely this exposure have remained difficult to identify may suggest that indeed the contribution of orogenital intercourse to HIV incidence remains low."

Nonetheless, they do recommend that "individuals should protect themselves using condoms or dental dams to minimise this small risk." - (Roger Pebody, December 16, 2008)

Edited February 7, 2009 by reflection

[Dioscuri]

........."individuals should protect themselves using condoms or dental dams to minimise this small risk." - (Roger Pebody, December 16, 2008)

For more information and pic of Dental Dam:

http://www.islandsexualhealth.org/sex-safe...tal-dams#safety

[Guest dental damn]

For more information and pic of Dental Dam:

http://www.islandsexualhealth.org/sex-safe...tal-dams#safety

Before this topic i have fashioned a type of barrier using a super thin condoms that i cut into half and use it when having rimming session with people that i just got to know for safety reasons, but dental dams are much bigger piece now i see.

A little KY goes a long way to ensure intimacy when rimming with a rubber barrier.

[Guest -Scared-]

by having unprotected oral, can you contract HIV?

[snowball]

simple, if you afraid & lot of worries, don't kiss don't suck & best don't sex at all

[Guest Ironrod]

simple, if you afraid & lot of worries, don't kiss don't suck & best don't sex at all

I would like to correct Mr Snowball "if you afraid and lot of worries, you should not do casual BJ and do it with somebody whom you know personally and trust with your life."

[snowball]

thanks for your " correction " mr Ironrod

scared, are you aware that there are yahoo & google search etc? believe you can get all you need to know in just a few second,

better than you have to log in this forum, waste your time to type the Q right?

[ave-joe]

@Scared - I guess you might have your reasons for asking - and the answer is yes, there is a possibility. hope it helps.

[binoy8885]

Hi scared , go to this website and check out www.gmfa.org.uk and clear ur doubts

[Guest IanOh]

I would like to correct Mr Snowball "if you afraid and lot of worries, you should not do casual BJ and do it with somebody whom you know personally and trust with your life."

yup yup,

correct

:-)

[Lameua]

It's been d qn tts on my mind alot recently =(

Well d 'price' of being so notti n doin it wiv random ppl,is lots of worryin =(

[fenghou]

HIV may be transmitted through unprotected oral sex

just that the chances of that happening is low

HIV will transmit via the oral means if genital fluids get in contact there's an open wound in your mouth (ulcers, bruises, sore throat with blood etc)

The chances of a getting HIV via the oral means is 0.1%. It's low but it's still a possibility. Wiki it and you'll get the numbers.

Play safe. Don't let a moment of lust ruin your life.

Edited August 26, 2011 by fenghou

[Lameua]

HIV may be transmitted through unprotected oral sex just that the chances of that happening is low HIV will transmit via the oral means if genital fluids get in contact there's an open wound in your mouth (ulcers, bruises, sore throat with blood etc) The chances of a getting HIV via the oral means is 0.1%. It's low but it's still a possibility. Wiki it and you'll get the numbers. Play safe. Don't let a moment of lust ruin your life.

thanks alot 4 tt in4!!!

[philipf65]

How about the one been sucked?

[Drakey]

If the person sucking u is hiv positive and happen to have ulcers or broken gums in his mouth, then his virus will have direct contact with your penis and you'll get it, though the chances are lower, but doesn't mean no.

[Friendly]

I would have to say its like you want to eat but worry that your stomach would get upset.. That also means you must be in good health so that you would not upset your stomach easily..lor.

[Guest guest129]

Hi, new to the circle. Had oral fun with a guy at sauna today, whom wanted the condom on before i suck. For the regulars, do you have similar or frequent encounters? Or are oral sex normally performed without condom?

[SeannyShortcake]

Oral sex is usually done without condom especially when it's nude night,deep in the dark corner or steam room.

There is always a bugger who insists on oral with condom which technically is a safer way of having sex without much sensation.

Politically correct but meh.

[malcolmmalcolm]

Do you suck a lollipop with or without a wrapper on?

[Musical]

Sauna's condom "pui" taste yucks...gerenally prefer the raw stick unless the condom is flavoured, i dont mind lol

[Guest stbrianud]

Lol... The only time i ever suck with a condom on is after the guy puts on the condom and before he fxxks me. just to make sure it's extra hard hahaha

[Guest Glyph]

Flavoured condoms are still yuck.

[Sticky&Sweet]

Sucking a cock with a condom on it is like drinking fine wine from a plastic cup. Just doesn't feel right.

[Musical]

Well raw is of course best but in the sauna perspective, if there are flavoured ones, i will take flavoured.

[mango_juice]

With the condom on, den u are not sucking a dick? u can put condom on any carrot and suck on it.. Plus the taste of the condom is so yucky..

[hotf_ck]

Each time I go for an HIV test, I am reminded by the counsellor of the risks of oral sex without condoms, albeit relatively low compared to sticking it up the butt. During my most recent visit, I told the counsellor it's not practical, and asked rhetorically if he practised what he preached. Surprisingly, he told me he stopped having oral sex after a while (and he seems quite young).

I have yet to meet someone who does it with a condom on...

[azimuth]

I guess in some ways protected anal may be safer than unprotected oral?

[merlinkun]

Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't the condom have a bit of lube or something on it? Isn't it gross to be sucking lube?

[Guest Guest]

Always with a condom on. People who think that it's safe to suck or be sucked without a condom on are just in self-denial. If u want to enjoy sucking raw, that's fine, but don't tell others that oral sex will not transmit HIV or other STDs even without condoms on, that's just ignorant and irresponsible.

[overture]

i suppose the whole point of having flavored condoms is so those of us with a bit of concerns over safety can stick it in our mouths with a better taste?

[tblee]

I will never refuse someone who wants to have oral sex with a condom. My personal preference does not matter, it's what the other guy is comfortable with. We should never pressure someone into performing an act that they may get very anxious and worried about later.

And yes, statistically, the risk of transmitting HIV through unprotected oral sex is higher than protected anal sex. The other STIs are also equally transmissible.

[tblee]

Low crime doesn't mean no crime.

Low risk doesn't mean no risk.

It all depends on the level of risk you are comfortable with.

[zwei]

How does a flavored condom taste like o. O

[sg_boy28]

How does a flavored condom taste like o. O

Of course a strawberry wont taste like chocolate. Lolz..

[zwei]

Hahaha ok lo silly me

[Silveriot]

it feels like digging your nose while wearing a glove. or something like that. no kick haha.

its just the sensitivity thing. if i had to suck someone wearing a condom, i would use less tongue play since he cant feel it anyway. just wrap the lips tightly over the dick and let him mouth fcuk.

if i were to be sucked while wearing one then just jitao face fcuk him. haha. make up for the less of sensitivity.

but yah over the years met such people. cant blame them i guess.

its like drinking diet coke. want the taste but dun want the calories.

[derryfawne]

I guess in some ways protected anal may be safer than unprotected oral?

Guess so.

[mango_juice]

Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't the condom have a bit of lube or something on it? Isn't it gross to be sucking lube?

Yucks yes I guess it's not lube but some kind of oil? And I think all condom come with some chemical which kills sperm and it smells and taste yucky...

[Guest guest129]

Thanks for all the replies. Looks like it is not that uncommon. Also, quite surprising to know that the risk of transmitting HIV is higher in unprotected oral than protected anal.

[tic-toc]

Not only HIV. Without a condom, you can get genital warts and other STI too.

[Guest Guest]

Just a gentle reminder that STIs like genital warts and herpes are non-curable in the sense that you cannot take medication to be rid of the virus completely and for good. Once you get infected, it is for life. You can take medication and treatment to control the flare-ups and reduce the symptoms but you will have it forever. So, always practise safe oral sex, wear a condom whether you are sucking or being sucked.

[Guest Guest]

rubber taste better than smelly dicks

[tblee]

...

Edited September 19, 2012 by tblee

[tblee]

One shouldn't make fun of others' preferences, especially with regard to safer sex practices. Everyone has the right to enjoy their body in a way which is comfortable and worry-free for themselves. For some it may mean no insertive sex, others draw the line elsewhere. The brain a the biggest sex organ and we can have a lot of fun exploring all kinds of other kinks that don't involve insertion.

[tblee]

...

Edited September 19, 2012 by tblee

[Guest Jerald]

Would you still dare to suck someone raw if you know he is HITV+?

[malcolmmalcolm]

Question is, why would you want to suck someone with HIV? And how do you even know whether if the person's HIV+ or not. Ultimately, you still end up sucking him raw anyway. If I know the guy's HIV+, I wouldn't even have fun with him at all.

[tblee]

You know that the risk of transmitting HIV if you are on medication and your viral load is low, is incredibly small? I know of a straight HIV+ guy on medication. He discussed with his wife and they tried for a child together, knowing the risk. They really wanted a kid and were willing to take the risk of her being infected as well.

Anyway, she got pregnant, both her and the baby are HIV-negative.

Having safer sex with an HIV+ person if they are on medication is extremely low risk. But I still emphasize that we should reduce transmission through safer sex, it does not mean shunning those who are positive

http://www.thestigmaproject.org/#!summer-2012/c1apc

[malcolmmalcolm]

Sounds legit.

[NielKlient]

so far havent met anyone who want to give or receive a blowjob with condom on. seems kinda weird if they do.