Oral Sex

Eating out. Blow job. Going down. Giving head. No matter what you call it, oral sex is healthy and normal. It’s a good way to give someone pleasure and there’s no risk of pregnancy (if that’s something you’re worried about), but not everyone has a “taste” for it.

What is oral sex?

• Oral sex is when someone uses their mouth to give pleasure to a penis or vulva/vagina.
• The term cunnilingus is used for oral sex on a vulva/vagina*.
• The term fellatio is used for oral sex on a penis*.

How can I give someone oral sex?

• There are many pleasurable ways to give oral sex. You can lick, suck, kiss or even hum on the genitals.
• The penis can be put part way in the mouth and slid in and out.
• For some, oral sex can be more pleasurable than penetrative, vaginal sex.
• Watch for your partner’s reaction and talk about it. If you notice they get more excited or seem like they are experiencing more pleasure when you do something then continue that action.

Is there anything I should do if I am receiving oral sex?

• Oral sex can be pretty intense at first. Try to relax and enjoy it.
• You may want to provide some feedback about what feels good by saying things like:  Yes! or Keep doing that! or I like that!

Useful Tips

Talk with your partner before oral sex and find out what you are each looking for. Keeping your vulva or penis clean can make it a lot easier for your partner to go down on you.  It’s okay to ask your partner to be clean as well. If you’re getting a blow job (oral sex on a penis), be careful not to thrust your hips and push your penis too far into the other person’s mouth. If you are giving a blow job, put your hand around the base to prevent the penis going further into your mouth than you’d like. Decide in advance if the person receiving oral sex will ejaculate (cum) into the other person’s mouth.

Will oral sex expose me to STIs?

• Yes, you could be exposed to some STIs during oral sex.
• If you are concerned about STIs, use a dental dam or condom while performing oral sex. This will act as a barrier between your mouth and the person’s genitals.
• For more information on STIs and what STIs can be spread through oral sex, check out our STI info pages [Link].

Can pregnancy happen from oral sex?

• No, pregnancy can only occur if sperm is ejaculated in or near the vagina. For more on how pregnancy happens, check out How Pregnancy Happens [Link].

Speaking of oral sex, what about rimming?

• Rimming is when one person licks, kisses and generally arouses another person’s anus or the area around it. Check out the Rimming 101 info page for more information [Link] .

If you have questions about this topic, feel free to contact one of our peer educators. [Link]

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*We know that these aren’t the words everyone uses for their bodies (eg. trans folks), and support you using the language that feels best for you.

Last Edited: May 2020