For most of us, the term ‘using protection’ during sex is synonymous with penetrative sex. But ever wondered if you need to reach out for a condom when you go downtown to eat someone out or give your partner a blow job?
Using your tongue, mouth, and lips on the penis, vagina, or anus of your partner to stimulate them sexually is known as oral sex. The idea of burying your face in another person’s genitals or anus may not sound appealing to everyone. But if you’re happy and comfortable with someone, oral sex is a great way to enjoy intimacy and pleasure.
Using the right contraception is essential to make sexual contact of any kind, including oral sex, safe for you and your partner. This article will tell you everything you need to know about oral sex safety and how oral sex condoms should be used to protect yourself adequately.
What are oral condoms and why do you need to use them?
Before we jump into the nitty-gritty of protection, let’s talk about oral sex itself.
Contrary to popular opinion, it is not exactly a revolutionary idea. Oral sex has been around since the beginning of time, and various historical texts (including Kamasutra) have explicit descriptions. The taboo around oral sex is primarily due to how we have been conditioned to think about our genital organs and how sex should be for procreation alone. But one needs to remember that there is no wrong way to experience sex or sexuality. Consensual oral sex is just as real and pleasurable as penetrative sex and can be an integral part of your sexual experience. And oral sex is not just for those who have vaginal sex — women who have sex with women or men who have sex with men can also enjoy oral sex.
For many, protection for oral sex may seem unnecessary because there are no chances of ending up pregnant. But protection is not only for preventing unplanned pregnancies. Any type of unprotected sex can also cause a host of sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV, or HPV. These infections can spread even if your partner doesn’t show any symptoms.
Getting a nasty STI during oral sex is a real possibility because of increased skin-to-skin contact with the genitals along with anal, vaginal, or penile secretions. Using oral sex condoms is the best way to keep such infections at bay, especially if you are in a non-monogamous relationship or you’ve not both been tested for STIs.
Oral condoms, also known as tongue condoms or mouth condoms, are condoms you can use during oral sex, whether you are giving oral sex to someone with a penis or a vagina. In terms of appearance, tongue condoms look similar to traditional condoms used for penetrative sex. The major difference is the wider open end to allow you to use your mouth without coming in direct contact with the genitals. Mouth condoms can also be used as condoms for blow jobs as they can be worn over the penis.
Traditional male condoms also come in different flavors to make blow jobs more enjoyable as a lot of people find the taste of latex to be a big turn-off. But these condoms shouldn’t be used during penetrative sex as the flavoring agents may cause irritation in the vagina and lead to yeast infection.
Are there different types of tongue condoms to choose from?
Tongue condoms haven’t been around for very long, and there’s not a great deal of variety. But if you can’t find tongue condoms, you can go for dental dams.
Dental dams are a type of oral sex condom that you can use while performing oral sex on a vagina or anus. The condom gets its name from protective barriers used by dentists to isolate an operated tooth from the rest of the mouth. These condoms are small thin latex sheets that can be held between the mouth and vagina/anus before licking or sucking. If you are allergic to latex, you can go for a polyurethane dental dam. Like all condoms, dams are also for one-time use only.
When dental dams are in use, you can easily block any bodily fluid from coming in contact with your mouth. But dental dams are not available easily. If you are having a hard time finding them, you can make one out of a male or internal condom by cutting off the tip and cutting down one side so that you have a rectangular sheet.
What do people like about oral sex condoms?
There’s no denying that oral sex is not everyone’s cup of tea. But if you enjoy it, oral condoms can help make it a better experience.
Oral sex condoms ensure that your mouth doesn’t come in contact with any preseminal/ seminal fluids from the penis or arousal fluid when the vagina gets ‘wet’.It also minimizes the risk of transmitting HIV, especially when the person giving oral sex has any cuts or sores around their mouth, or if the recipient of oral sex wants to ejaculate inside their partner’s mouth.
Lastly, having any type of sex during periods can be messy, and the recipients don’t like it. It can also be a turn-off for the provider because blood has an odor. But if you have your partner’s consent and you’re also willing, oral condoms can be helpful for going down there. Using them will ward off the risk of getting infected by menstrual blood and also minimize the mess.
How to use condoms for oral sex?
Learning how to use condoms for oral sex is no different from doing it for penetrative sex. Here’s what you need to know:
- Always check the expiry date of the condom.
- Take it out of the package carefully. It is best not to use your teeth as that may cause microtears.
- Make sure to read the instructions about using lubricants with the condom. It is best to use water, or silicone-based lubes as oil-based ones are known to cause breakage.
- Check for any tears or defects in the condom. If it is a dental dam, you can place it over the vaginal or anal opening before engaging in oral sex. Make sure not to stretch it as that may damage it. If the tongue condom or a regular male condom can be slipped over the penis, place it over an erect penis before giving a blow job.
- Never turn over the dental dam or mouth condom during oral sex. Once sex is over, discard the used condom by wrapping it in a newspaper and placing it in a biodegradable bag. Always throw used condoms in the trash because flushing them might clog your drain.
Common myths about oral sex condoms and oral sex!
Even though one maybe eager to try out oral sex, a flurry of myths might hold them back. Let us bust some of the common myths:
Myth: You can never orgasm from oral sex, and using protection during oral will anyway kill the vibe
Oral sex can be just as sensual as penetrative sex and even lead to an orgasm. Moreover, the reason behind not orgasming from any type of sexual activity is often psychological. Once you overcome the psychological barriers, you will find it easier to orgasm. You can always try out different brands of oral sex condoms until you find the one that works for you.
And lastly, orgasms are not the only marker of successful sexual activity. Wanting to orgasm isn’t a bad thing, but it is also essential to experience pleasure during the entire act.
Myth: You can use cling film as an oral condom
Cling film is not a worthy substitute for a mouth condom because it has not been designed to handle sexual activity. Even though no penetration is involved in oral sex, they can still tear easily.
Myth: Oral sex is wrong because it is unhygienic
It is a misconception that oral sex is unhygienic compared to penetrative sex. Any type of sexual activity involves your genitals, and they are no dirtier than other body parts. And if you are worried about smelling down there — you’re not supposed to smell like cookies and cream. There is a natural odor that will never go away completely, no matter what you do.
That said, using the right kind of personal care products can help you to maintain intimate hygiene. It is also a good practice to shower before sex to wash off dirt, grime, and sweat.
Conclusion
Deciding whether to have oral sex or not is a very personal choice — if you are not comfortable with the idea, never feel pressured to do it.
But knowing that you have used oral sex contraceptive methods to keep your partner and yourself safe can go a long way in making you both feel more relaxed during the act.
