Oral sex is safer than vaginal or anal sex, but it is not completely safe. You cannot get pregnant from oral sex. But you can catch some STIs from it. The most common ones passed on through oral sex are herpes, gonorrhoea, and HPV. Cold sores on the mouth can give someone genital herpes through oral sex. The risk is higher if there are cuts or sores in the mouth. You can use a condom on a penis during oral sex, or a dental dam on a vulva, to lower the risk. Not everyone uses these, but they do help.

Is oral sex safe?

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is lower risk than vaginal or , but it's not completely risk-free.

You can't get from oral sex. But you can catch from it. The most commonly transmitted ones through oral sex are (especially if someone has a ), , , , and . can also be transmitted through oral sex, though the risk is very low.

The risk is higher if there are cuts, sores, or bleeding gums in the mouth, or if the person giving oral sex has a throat infection.

Using a (for oral sex on a ) or a (for oral sex on a ) reduces the risk. Not everyone uses protection for oral sex, but it's worth knowing that the option exists.

is safer than vaginal or , but it is not completely safe.

You cannot get from oral sex. But you can catch some from it. The most common ones passed on through oral sex are , , and . on the mouth can give someone genital herpes through oral sex.

The risk is higher if there are cuts or sores in the mouth.

You can use a on a during oral sex, or a on a , to lower the risk. Not everyone uses these, but they do help.