Oral sex without protection can be an uncomfortable subject to think about, but it is essential to understand the risks associated with it. It’s natural to feel anxious or scared if you’ve engaged in unprotected oral sex and aren’t sure if you should get tested for possible sexually transmitted infections (STDs).
Fortunately, Better2Know is here to provide guidance and help answer your questions. This blog will explore when it may be necessary for someone who has engaged in unprotected oral sex to get tested, as well as other useful information related to STD screening and prevention.
You can get an STD from any type of unprotected sex.
What is oral sex?
If you’re not sure what counts as oral sex – it is any act where one partner stimulates the other partner’s genitals or anus with their mouth, tongue or lips.
When is oral sex considered unprotected?
Unprotected oral sex is defined as any oral contact with either the partner’s genitals, genital area or anus, without the use of protective barriers such as condoms and dental dams.
Most people don’t think about using protection during oral sex because they assume it’s much less risky compared to vaginal or anal sex. Oral sex, however, is a form of sex and carries its own risks. It is just as important to use protection during oral sex as with any other type of sex.
What is the danger of unprotected oral sex?
Just like with anal or vaginal sex, engaging in oral sex carries the risk of developing and transmitting STDs. The risk associated with different sexual acts varies and the likelihood of transmission during oral sex depends on several factors.
Although you are less likely to get an STD during oral sex, it is still possible. STDs can be transmitted during oral sex when contaminated bodily fluids come into contact with the mucous membranes in the mouth and throat.
STDs you can get from having oral sex include:
- Chlamydia and gonorrhea: Although highly unlikely, it is technically possible for someone with a chlamydia or gonorrhea infection in their throat to transfer bacteria to your genitals.
- Syphilis: If someone with a syphilis infection who has chancres in their mouth or tongue has oral sex, the infection can pass to your genitals.
- The herpes simplex virus: If you have oral sex from someone who has an outbreak of oral herpes, it is possible that the infection will be transferred to your genitals.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV): HPV It is often transmitted through oral sex or skin-to-skin contact during foreplay. HPV can cause genital warts and is associated with cervical cancer, anal cancer, penile cancer, and head and neck cancers.
Most sexually transmitted infections present without symptoms, so even if you feel fine after unprotected oral sex, you may have contracted an STD. The risk of transmitting an STD during oral sex depends on factors such as the type of infection, the presence of sores, and the frequency of exposure.
What about unprotected oral sex?
If you have oral sex with someone else, the infections you should worry about are the same, just the other way around. However, oral sex is less dangerous than doing it.
- Chlamydia: Chlamydia bacteria from the genitals can infect the mucous membranes of the throat. Almost all throat-based chlamydia infections do not cause any symptoms.
- Gonorrhea: As with chlamydia, gonorrhea infections in the throat tend not to cause symptoms, but the risk of spreading the infection remains. Oral gonorrhea can cause a sore throat similar to strep throat, although most cases are asymptomatic.
- Syphilis: Syphilis is highly contagious. It is more likely to spread if you come into contact with a Syphilis woundor chancre, on your partner’s anus, genitals or mouth.
- Herpes: If your partner has a genital herpes infection, the virus could be transferred to your mouth if you have oral sex. Your partner could also have an anal herpes infection, which you could also catch by having oral sex.
- HPV: If you have oral sex, you are more likely to get an HPV infection. Getting HPV from oral sex can put you at a higher risk of developing oral cancer.
- Hepatitis A: Evidence shows that hepatitis A can be transmitted sexually, especially during anal or oral-to-anal sex. This is because the virus is found in the faeces of infected people and can be transmitted through contact with infected faeces.
However, it is technically possible to transmit HIV through oral sex the risk is extremely low. However, the risk of HIV transmission is higher if your partner is HIV-positive, even though the overall risk from oral sex remains low.
How likely am I to get an STD from oral sex?
It is not possible to give an exact number that states the chance of getting an STD during oral sex. The likelihood of contracting an STD depends on several factors and is highly contextual.
However, Certain factors can increase your chances of getting an STD during oral sexsuch as:
- Having poor oral health, such as tooth decay, gum disease, bleeding gums or mouth cancer
- Sores in your mouth or your partner’s mouth
- Any exposure to contaminated body fluids such as semen, semen or vaginal fluids
How can I have safe oral sex?
There are many things you can do in the future to reduce your risk of getting an STD during oral sex. Practicing oral sex safely using protection, such as condoms or dental dams, and following recommended guidelines is essential to reducing the risk of STD transmission.
Oral sex on the penis
Cover the penis with a condom before having oral sex. While many people may not like the idea, many manufacturers produce flavored condoms that can make the act more pleasurable.
Oral sex in the vagina or anus
Because the vagina and anus are not shaped like a penis, it can be difficult to use a condom straight from the package in this situation. Cut the condom into a square and spread the material over the area you want to tone. You may also want to consider using a dental dam if you have access to one.
Get vaccinated
You can cover some bases before you even start by getting vaccinated for some STDs. Vaccines are widely available for HPV, Hepatitis Aand Hepatitis B. The HPV vaccine is highly effective in preventing HPV infections, including those that cause genital warts and some cancers.
When should I get tested if I have unprotected oral sex?
You should be tested after any unprotected sex, including unprotected oral sex. Most sexually transmitted diseases are not detectable in an STD test until 14 days after the alarming incident, although some STDs are detectable sooner or later.
If you are sexually active and often have unprotected oral sex, you should get regular checkups. This could mean testing every few weeks.
What symptoms should I watch out for?
Most STDs show no symptoms. You may have an infection and feel fine. But if you’ve had or received oral sex, here are some symptoms you might want to look out for.
If you are given oral sex:
- Any sores, bumps, blisters, itching or tingling around the lips or mouth
- Flu-like symptoms, such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, nausea, fatigue, or generally feeling unwell
- Sore or itchy throat
If you have had oral sex:
- Sores, blisters, bumps, itching or pain in your genitals or anus
- Unusual discharge from the genitals or anus
- Fever, nausea, fatigue and swollen lymph nodes
What tests should I do after unprotected oral sex?
If you have had unprotected oral sex, you will probably need a throat test to check for chlamydia infection or gonorrhea.
Other infections that could be transferred to your throat or mouth from sores or warts on/around your partner’s genitals or anus, or vice versa, include Syphilis, HPVand Herpes. These would require testing in a blood sample.
Final thoughts
If you are concerned about your sexual health, please contact our team of Sexual Health Counselors by calling the number above. They can help you find the nearest sexual health clinic and book an STD test. Or you can start your own online booking by clicking the Book Now button.
Don’t leave your sexual health to chance.
This article first appeared on 10/03/2023. Latest update 19/12/2025.
