Oral+Sex

**Courtney Maxwell**
= = =**Oral Sex**=

Oral sex is the stimulation of the genitals or anus with the mouth, teeth, throat, or tongue. Oral stimulation of the penis is called fellatio, oral stimulation of the vulva and/or vagina is called cunnilingus, and oral stimulation of the anus is called analingus. Oral sex can be used as a form of foreplay, or used for pleasure during or instead of sexual intercourse.
 * Definition**

In pre-Christian Ancient Rome, oral sex was viewed with regards to submission. The role of receiving oral sex was that of the person in control, while the person giving oral sex was being submissive. It was only acceptable for one to receive oral sex from someone of a lower social standing than themselves. Because of this, men would receive oral sex from women or from male slaves. Women rarely received oral sex. For a man of high social standing to give oral sex to another person was usually seen as degrading (Nussbaum & Sihvola, 2002). Similar views were held by ancient Christian, Islamic, and Sub-Saharan African cultures. Oral sex was seen as taboo because it does not lead to procreation, making it unnatural. It was also seen as being an unclean practice. In modern cultures, oral sex is more widely accepted. In Chinese Taoism, cunnilingus specifically is believed to enhance the life expectancy of both partners, and is therefore a spiritually fulfilling practice (Breiner, 1992). In modern Western cultures, oral sex is widely accepted and commonly practiced among both adolescents and adults (Lemonick, 2005).
 * History of Oral Sex**

An increasingly popular view of oral sex is that it is not really sex at all, but that it falls into the “messing around” category. It has even been termed “third base”, with “home base” being sexual intercourse, implying that it is not quite sex. Even former President Clinton relayed this idea to the public, as he once stated that he “did not have sexual relations” with a White House intern. It was later learned that oral sex had occurred between the two individuals (Hans et al 2010). Part of the reason why oral sex is not seen as really being sex is because of the perceived lower risk of engaging in this act. Pregnancy cannot result from oral sex, so it is often suggested to be an effective form of contraception. However, there is still STD risk in oral sex, especially when it is performed without a condom or female condom on the receiving partner. Research shows that since the mid 1990’s, oral sex has become more prevalent among adolescents due to its being a more acceptable and less risky alternative to vaginal intercourse (Halpern-Felsher 2005 & Remez 2000).
 * Oral Sex as “Safer Sex”**

Oral sex is also seen as a way to have sex without losing one’s virginity. Technical virginity is a term that has been used, particularly among adolescents, since the early 1990’s, which refers to the fact that someone is still considered to be a virgin if they are sexually active without actually engaging in penile-vaginal penetration (Regnerus 2007). Oral sex, along with anal sex and mutual masturbation, are all seen as ways to be sexually active without losing one’s virginity.

While many believe that oral sex carries a lower risk of STD infection than sexual intercourse, there are still many STDs that can be contracted through unprotected oral sex. Oral sexual behaviors have been linked to oral HPV infection (D’Souza et al 2009). HIV has also been proved to be transmitted through oral sex. While it is less likely to be transmitted through oral sex than vaginal or anal sex, HIV transmission through oral sex may become a more serious problem due to the high frequency of oral sex and lack of condom use during oral sex (Waalen 1996). Other STDs that can be contracted through oral sex include herpes, gonorrhea, Chlamydia, syphilis, and hepatitis B (Edwards & Carne, 1998 & Edwards & Carne, 1998).
 * STD Risk**


 * References**

Breiner, S. J. (1992). Sexuality in traditional China: its relationship to child abuse. //Child Psychiatry & Human Development//, 23(2): 53-67. D’Souza G., Agrawal Y., Halpern J., Bodison S., Gillison M.L. (2009). Oral sexual behaviors associated with prevalent oral human papillomavirus infection. //J Infect Dis//, //199//(9): 1263-1269. Edwards, S., Carne, C (1998). Oral sex and the transmission of viral STIs. //Sex Transm Inf//, //74//: 6-10. Edwards, S., Carne, C (1998). Oral sex and the transmission of non-viral STIs. //Sex Transm Inf//, //74//: 95-100. Halpern-Felsher B.L. et al (2005). Oral versus vaginal sex among adolescents: perceptions, attitudes, and behavior. //Pediatrics//, //115//(4): 845-851. Hans, J.D., Gillen, M., Akande, K. (2010). Sex redefined: the reclassification of oral-genital contact. //Perspectives on Sexual & Reproductive Health//, //42//(2): 74-78. Lemonick, M. D. (2005). A teen twist on sex. //Time//, New York, September 19. Nussbaum, M.C., Sihvola, J. (2002). //The sleep of reason: erotic experience and sexual ethics in ancient Greece and Rome//. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press. Regnerus, Mark (2007). The technical virginity debate: is oral sex really sex? //Forbidden Fruit: Sex & Religion in the Lives of American Teenagers//. United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. Remez, L. (2000). Oral sex among adolescents: is it sex or is it abstinence? //Family Planning Perspectives//, //32//(6): 298-304. Waalen, J. (1996). Oral sex in spotlight for HIV transmission. //Annals of Internal Medicine//, //125//(4): 56.