ORAL SEX, ORAL SEX PROTECTIVE BARRIERS, AND ORAL CANCER: A TRIPLE CONCERN

Abstract

Oral sex refers to sexual activities involving the stimulation of the genitalia by the use of the mouth, tongue, teeth, or throat. Oral sex is practiced by people of all sexual orientations, and it is practiced in various forms: cunnilingus (oral-vaginal contact);fellatio(oral-penile contact); and anilingus (oral-anal contact).Over 35% of the global adult population have engaged in an oral sex activity at least once in their lifetime. Individuals who engage in oral sex are more vulnerable to various sexually transmitted oral infections, including oral gonorrhoea and oral HPV infection. These infections can result in severe health consequences, including oral cancer.Nonetheless, sexually transmitted oral infections could be avoided by using oral sex protective barriers such as cling films (aka saran wraps), dental dams, and tongue condoms. If oral sex protective barriers are used appropriately, the infections can beavoided. Unfortunately, the global use rate of these protective barriers is very negligible. For example, evidence has shown that just less than 10% of adolescents and young adults in the USA used condom at their last oral sex experience. Overall, the issue of oral sex, oral sex protective barriers, and oral cancer is a triple concern of global health significance; this commentary offered recommendations on how to address the triple concern.