I know condoms should be used for oral but all my friends think this is dork. How can I be safe without using a condom?

The easiest way to answer this question is to tell you not to engage in oral sex if you want to be safe without condoms. I wish there was a different way but there just isn’t!

The reason why condoms are important is because of the fluids that can be transmitted during oral sex. These fluids such a pre-ejaculation and vaginal fluids can carry viruses and bacteria. Some examples are HIV, herpes, and yeast. They can get into your mouth and enter the bloodstream through your gums. If you brush your teeth right afterwards, you put yourself at even a greater risk because gums become temporarily inflamed after brushing. Yeast can cause an infection in your mouth and you can contract herpes in your mouth as well.

The thing is, it is impossible to tell what someone has just by looking at them. They may tell you they are disease free but how do you really know? I always say that if your partner does not want to protect themselves from what you may have and care enough about their health, what makes you think they care about yours?

You’re not a dork for wanting to protect yourself. Some of the diseases and infections you can contract while not protecting yourself can lead to a lifetime problems. Medications for treating these diseases and infections can cost upwards of thousands a month. Being responsible with your status will mean you have to disclose to each and every partner in your past and in your future. With diseases like herpes and HIV, they can be very painful and disfiguring. Some can lead to death.

Does it seem worth it? If you think about the amount of time you will spend not protecting yourself vs. the amount of time you will spend paying for it financially, emotionally and physically, it doesn’t!

Talk to your partners about ways you can make condoms more fun and exciting to use. Get creative!