Oral sex and women

Licking or sucking the vagina or vaginal lips is very safe in terms of HIV transmission. There is very little HIV in a woman’s vaginal juices, and saliva damages the virus. Dental dams are not necessary for protection against HIV but may help prevent the transmission of other sexually transmissible infections like herpes.

There are no reliable reports of anyone getting HIV from oral sex on a woman with HIV. Likewise, there is no danger of an HIV-positive woman infecting a man by sucking his penis. Condoms can protect both partners from other sexually transmissible infections.

 More information on oral sex from The Body website

Oral sex between men

This information is also relevant for women performing oral sex on men.

HIV transmission can occur through oral sex between men. We know this through a number of documented cases. What we don’t know is the exact risk of HIV transmission through oral sex.

 HIV transmission does not occur very often through oral sex: anal sex without condoms remains the highest risk sexual activity for transmitting HIV. We also know from the case reports involving HIV transmission during oral sex that particular circumstances increase the risk of HIV transmission occurring.

 We know:

• HIV is transmitted through oral sex infrequently;
• Transmission usually occurs from the insertive to the receptive partner; and
• The risk of HIV transmission during oral sex increases if:

Things that make it more likely that the mouth will be breached (or is already breached)

There are a number of factors which make it more likely that tears will occur in your mouth during oral sex or that tears already exist.

These are:

• Oral lesions particularly STDs
• Ulcers (which can be more common in people with HIV)
• Brushing or flossing teeth within two hours of activities such as unprotected oral sex
• Eating abrasive or spicy foods
• Dental disease
• Recent dental treatment
• Gingivitis (inflamed or bleeding gums)
• Certain prescribed and non-prescribed drugs which irritate oral tissues (e.g. amphetamines)
• Allergies
• Trauma
• Piercings
• Oral herpes
• Rough or very vigorous oral sex
  

Things you can do to make tears occurring in your mouth during oral sex less likely

• Avoid oral sex if you've:

• Gargle with salty water to see if any stings occur. If they do, it is likely you have cuts in the mouth
• Have regular dental check-ups (and avoiding oral sex for a day after dental visits if necessary)
• Have regular STD check-ups including the mouth
  

Ways of eliminating any risk

• Oral sex between partners of the same HIV status carries no risk of HIV transmission.
• Using condoms eliminates any risk.