Oral sex is sex – and that means it’s important to practice safe sex, like it is with other types of sex. As a professional, you can help bust the myth that oral sex is ‘risk-free’ by making it a regular part of STI prevention talks.
We spoke with Sexual Health Specialist, Dr Nathan Ryder, to put together a 101 on staying safe during oral sex.
“There’s a common misconception that you can’t get an STI from oral sex, but that’s not true,” explains Dr Nathan.
“Oral sex can carry a risk of several STIs. These include herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and more. While unplanned pregnancy isn’t a concern we have for oral sex, young people need to understand these risks and practice safe sex like they would for any time of sex.”
The following STIs can be transmitted via oral sex.
“Practising safe sex by using barriers methods of protection, like condoms and dental dams, is one of the simplest ways for young people to protect themselves from STIs during oral sex,” says Dr Nathan.
“It’s a small step with big impact. It’s also important to remind young people about regular STI testing if they’re having oral sex. This can include a self-collected swab (including a throat swab), urine sample and a blood test.”
Order posters to promote regular STI testing.
Using barrier methods is one of the simplest ways for young people to practice safe oral sex.
If the young person you’re chatting with is engaging in oral sex with a penis, you can share this ‘How to use condoms’ guide from the Play Safe website.
Order free condoms for your service.
If they’re looking for advice on staying safe during oral sex on a vagina or anus, dental dams are a must. Although less common than condoms, dental dams provide great protection against STIs during oral-vaginal or oral-anal contact. They’re thin, flexible latex sheets that create a barrier—and if young people can’t find one, they can make their own by cutting a condom into a square.
When chatting with young people, remind them that STI testing regularly is an essential part of looking after their sexual health. Encouraging regular testing not only helps young people look after their health and reduces the risk of unknowingly passing on infections to other people.
Since many people don’t realise oral sex can pass on STIs, some might not be keen on using condoms or dental dams. You can help young people approach these conversations openly to encourage respect and understanding.
Try providing young people with conversation starters to make these discussions easier. For instance, they might say, “I know it’s not as common, but I feel more comfortable using protection during oral sex,” or “Let’s get tested together so we can make sure we’re healthy.”
Addressing oral sex safety (or any type of sex, for that matter!) can sometimes feel awkward for young people, especially since it’s often seen as a ‘taboo’ topic. You can play a role in breaking down this stigma, making it easier for young people to ask questions without embarrassment. By framing oral sex safety as just another part of healthy sexual practices, you can help them feel it’s normal and responsible to talk about it openly.
It’s also helpful to reassure young people that asking questions and taking steps to protect themselves doesn’t mean they distrust their partners—it’s simply good self-care. Approaching these topics without judgement will help make discussions feel safer and easier for everyone.
We’ve got a whole range of interactive resources that can help guide your discussions with young people, including the Condom Card Game and Condom Demonstrations that will help make learning fun and engaging.
“By providing clear, non-judgemental information and normalising discussions around sex, including oral sex, we can help young people feel more comfortable asking questions. This openness makes it easier for them to make safer choices without fear or stigma” says Dr Nathan.
So there you go. By incorporating oral sex into sexual health discussions, you can help reinforce that safe sex practices aren’t limited to any one kind of sex—everyone deserves to feel confident and protected.
Yes, STDs is an outdated term for STIs, so STDs can be passed on through oral sex. Infections such as herpes, gonorrhoea, syphilis, chlamydia, and others can spread through contact with the mouth, genitals and or anus. Practicing safe oral sex with barrier methods like condoms or dental dams reduces the risk.
Yes, chlamydia can be transmitted through oral sex. Although it’s less common than transmission through vaginal or anal sex, chlamydia can infect the throat if exposed to an infected partner. Regular STI testing, including throat swabs, is important if engaging in oral sex.
Yes, chlamydia can be transmitted orally. This bacterial infection can spread from the genitals to the throat through oral sex, and it often does not show symptoms. Routine testing helps detect and treat oral chlamydia, preventing further transmission.
