Can STDs Be Contracted From Oral Sex Despite No Cuts Or Sores?

Posted on Thu, 12 Oct 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 12 Oct 2017 Answered on

Mon, 6 Nov 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : What STD's are able to be contracted by a man receiving oral sex and the estimated likelyhood on transmission if the woman performing the oral sex did have an STD. It was the only sexual contact and the man did not ejaculate and there were no visible sores or cuts on the lips, tongue or inside the mouth.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (53 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Regarding your risk of an STD from oral sex

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us

I am Dr. Kakkar (Dermatologist and Venereologist). I have gone through your query and I have noted your concern.
Oral sex is considered safer when compared to other forms of sex like unprotected vaginal and anal sex.. Receptive Oral sex caries a low risk of transmitting Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), Gonorrhea (from throat infection) and a negligible risk of transmitting HIV. This risk is increased if there are open sores/ cuts/ ulcers from other STD Or bleeding gums in the person performing oral sex. However, the exact risk of a particular STD from a purely receptive oral sex has not been clearly defined because most individuals who practice oral sex also practice other forms of sex during the same sexual encounter. Nevertheless, STD screening is advisable after any form of unprotected sex- be it oral, vaginal or anal.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar