Glossary
Oral Sex
Sexual activity in which a person uses their mouth, lips, or tongue to stimulate a partner's genitals or anus.
Oral sex means using the mouth, lips, or tongue to stimulate a partner's genitals or anus. It includes fellatio (stimulating a penis), cunnilingus (stimulating a vulva), and anilingus (stimulating the anus), and it is practiced across all sexual orientations and genders. According to the CDC, there is little to no risk of getting or transmitting HIV through oral sex, but several other infections can spread, including gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, herpes, and HPV, sometimes affecting the throat. Using a condom or dental dam the right way every time reduces the chance of passing or picking up an infection. Regular STI testing supports safer oral sex.