Oral Sex: A Down There Disease Risks

After Michael Douglas’ interview of his throat cancer revelation - diagnosed with cancer 3 years ago, was quoted as telling The Guardian newspaper his strain of cancer had been caused by HPV (human papillomavirus). Although the biggest risk factors for throat cancer are smoking and drinking heavily.

However, he was also right that HPV - which can be transmitted by oral sex - also poses a risk. Since oral sex is a pleasure and a healthy part of relationship. But there are some things that many people don't know about oral sex. Here are the facts that might surprise you.

What is Oral Sex?

Oral sex involves giving or receiving oral stimulation (i.e., sucking or licking) to the penis, the vagina, and/or the anus.

• Fellatio - is the technical term used to describe oral contact with the penis.
• Cunnilingus - is the technical term which describes oral contact with the vagina.
• Anilingus - (also known as “rimming”) refers to oral-anal contact.

Studies indicate that oral sex is commonly practiced by sexually active male-female and same-gender couples of various ages, including adolescents. Although there are only limited national data about how often adolescents engage in oral sex, some data suggest that many adolescents who engage in oral sex do not consider it to be “sex;” therefore they may use oral sex as an option to experience sex while still, in their minds, remaining abstinent.

Moreover, many consider oral sex to be a safe or no-risk sexual practice. In a national survey of teens conducted for The Kaiser Family Foundation, 26% of sexually active 15- to 17-year-olds surveyed responded that one “cannot become infected with HIV by having unprotected oral sex,” and an additional 15% didn’t know whether or not one could become infected in that manner.

Does oral sex really linked to throat cancer?

It's not oral sex, per se, that causes cancer, but the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can be passed from person to person during sex, including oral sex.

What are the risks of HPV?

• Human papillomavirus is an infection that causes genital warts. In England, they are the second most common type of sexually transmitted infection after chlamydia.

• In most cases, genital HPV infections cause no real symptoms and clear up by themselves without causing any problems.

• HPV comes in more than 100 different strains and some can trigger cancers.

• Most cases of genital warts are caused by 'low-risk' HPV types 6 and 11, meaning they do not pose a significant cancer risk.

• High-risk types include HPV 16 and 18 which can cause cancer of the cervix in women.

• High-risk HPV infections are also associated with cancer of the penis, vulva, vagina, anus, mouth and throat.

• Other types of HPV can cause visible warts and verrucas, such as those commonly seen on the hands and feet.

• Although HPV is implicated in some throat cancers, smoking and alcohol are far more common risk factors.

How is HPV spread?

• Genital warts can be spread during vaginal or anal sex, and by sharing sex toys. However, you do not need to have penetrative sex to pass the infection on because HPV is spread by skin-to-skin contact.

• HPV infection can also be spread through oral sex.

• It can take up to one year for warts to develop after infection with HPV. Therefore, if you are in a relationship and you get genital warts, it does not necessarily mean your partner has been having sex with other people.

• HPV is most likely to be transmitted to others when warts are present, but it is still possible to pass the virus on before the warts have developed and after they have disappeared.

• Condoms do not provide complete protection because it is possible for the skin around the genital area (not covered by the condom) to become infected.

How do you know that you have genital warts?

Some infected people will show no signs, while others will have visible warts.

In women, warts occur on the inside and outside of the vagina, on the cervix (neck of the womb) or around the anus. In men, genital warts may occur on the tip or shaft of the penis, or around the anus.

Other down there diseases

Several sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV, herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea, HPV, and viral hepatitis can be passed on through oral sex.

"Oral sex is not safe sex," says Terri Warren, RN, owner of Westover Heights Clinic in Portland, Ore., a private clinic specializing in STDs. "It's safer sex, but it's definitely not safe sex.”

The risks depend on a lot of different things, including how many sexual partners you have, your gender, and what particular oral sex acts you engage in.

Using barrier protection can reduce the risk of getting any disease. A barrier can be a condom covering the penis, or a plastic or latex "dental dam" placed over the vulva or anus. Instead of a prepackaged dental dam, a condom cut open to make a sheet is also an acceptable barrier.

Remember you can only pick up human papillomavirus (HPV) from someone who has one. However, it is not always easy to know whether you have an HPV or not. Most cases are either symptomless or have symptoms which are mild and go unnoticed. Often the only way of finding out whether we have HPV is by having a checkup and the relevant tests.

Condoms for Women: Safe or Shame?

Yes, you read it right, a female condom. Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved female condoms in 1993, they haven't just been embraced. While the proper use of a male condom is frequently demonstrated using a banana, health workers show how to use female condom using a vagina model or a hand.

It has flexible rings at each end. Just before vaginal intercourse, it is inserted deep into the vagina. The ring at the closed end holds the pouch in the vagina. The ring at the open end stays outside the vaginal opening during intercourse. And during anal intercourse, it is inserted into the anus.

By covering the inside of the vagina or anus and keeping semen and pre-cum out, condoms reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections.

How Safe Are Female Condoms?

Almost everyone can use female condoms safely. Actually, female condoms can be used by just about any woman who can use a tampon. They are also safe to use during anal sex.

How to use female condom

• Put spermicide or lubricant on the outside of the closed end.
• Find a comfortable position. You can stand with one foot on a chair, sit on the edge of a chair, lie down, or squat.
• Squeeze together the sides of the inner ring at the closed end of the condom and insert it into the vagina like a tampon.
• Push the inner ring into the vagina as far as it can go — until it reaches the cervix.
• Pull out your finger and let the outer ring hang about an inch outside the vagina.
• If you want to use the female condom for anal intercourse, follow above instructions for inserting it into the anus.
• During vaginal intercourse, it is normal for the female condom to move side to side. Stop intercourse if the penis slips between the condom and the walls of the vagina or if the outer ring is pushed into the vagina. As long as your partner has not yet ejaculated, you can gently remove the condom from the vagina, add extra spermicide or lubricant, and insert it once again.

If your partner has ejaculated outside the female condom into your vagina, you may want to consider using emergency contraception (morning after pill). Emergency contraception can prevent pregnancy if started up to five days after unprotected intercourse. The sooner you start it, the better it will work.

• To remove the female condom
• Squeeze and twist the outer ring to keep semen inside the pouch.
• Gently pull it out of the vagina or anus.
• Throw it away. Do not flush it down the toilet.
• Do not reuse the female condom.

And there’s a video of how to use it. Sadly, it’s animated. Hahaha

Male Condoms vs Female Condoms

• Availability: Male condoms are certainly available whereas availability of female condoms is quite low.

• Price: Female condoms are relatively expensive then male condoms.

• Effectiveness: Both the condoms provide effective protection against sexual transmitted diseases (STDs) and unwanted pregnancy

• Lubricants: With female condoms you can either use oil-based or water-based lubricants. If you are using male latex condoms then only water based lubricants can be used. But, if the condom is made up of polyurethane or lamb intestine then you can safely use any kind of lubricant.

• Usage: Male condoms are placed just before intercourse. Female condoms can be inserted 8 hours before sex.

• Comfort:  Some people complain that it is difficult to insert female condoms, particularly the inner rim of the condom. Some criticize them for the fact that they move during the act and is really confusing. On the contrary, male condom tightly fits around the penis and stays on its place while you have sex. If you are not using right size then it can slip or break. 

Types of Female Condom

FC Condom

They are also known as “reality condom” with lubricant. A loose fitted plastic tube which is worn inside the vagina wherein the open end remains outside the vagina while the closed end covers the cervix.

FC2 Condom

Made from synthetic nitrile which is somewhat cheaper that FC condom, where  the inner ring facilitated insertion while the outer ring helps condom to be on right place during the intercourse.

Path Women's Condom

Path condoms are made of polyurethane. Many women complain that the inner ring of the condom cause pain so it is been replaced by foam dots. Inner ring of the condom is replaced by foam dots for easy insertion. Besides this polyurethane is refined to get softer and thinner product, this provides more comfort to the person using it.

VA Wow condom

It is made up of latex material and has flexible V frame along with foldable inner sponge that holds the condom during sex. VA Wow condoms are lubricated and claim to have 97% customer satisfaction.

Being Jealous Is Healthy!

“Jealousy is not a sign of no trust but a sign of possessiveness. And it is not a sign of immaturity but rather love.”

Being a jealous partner is typically not seen as a great feature, but a latest survey has shown that a significant number of people thought jealousy was good for their relationship. Cupid online dating conducted the survey and found that 72% of women thought that a bit of jealousy was a good thing, matched to 65% of men.

The X-Rated - Kamasutra Sex Position

Who said that guys are the only ones who love X-Rated things? The X-Rated position gives you total control, so try with different types of stimulation to see what thrills you both most. Your man will love relinquishing power and watching you taking charge of your own orgasm. It doesn’t hurt to add some X-Rated noises, moans and yells, letting him know just how good he feels.

Why Do People Fall Out Of Love?

I have been in love many times and it is a great feeling and experience for me. But time came when either my partner or I fell out of love. Let’s just say I do not feel the same anymore. I saw a quotation that says “I wanted everything to stay the same ... but feelings fade and people change.”

That is indeed true but why do people fall out of love? How will they say to their partner that it’s not them who they want to be with anymore? People fall in love for reasons and many relationships failed because they are all the wrong reasons for being in love. Some people get into relationships because they feel empty or worthless when they are single. Some people get hooked because their friends are in relationships and they feel aloof in the game of love. Some might be constantly interrogated by family as to when they are settling down. So there is pressure, either direct or indirect, on both men and women to fall in love.

G-Spot Jiggy Position: Pleasure From Behind

One of the best sex positions a woman could get! This position will keep you asking for more and more and more, believe me! *wink*… Anyway, if you haven’t did this, try it and you will see.

How To Do It:

Get down on all fours with your man kneeling behind you and have him plunge inside you, holding of your back for balance. A little firm, well-placed stroking of your G-spot can open up a whole new orgasmic world. If he’s the exploring kind, let him thrust far enough inside you so that his testicles hit your rear.

New Love After A Heart Break? - How Will It Work?

Find out that your best friend who just broke up with her long-time beau is dating this new hot guy in your office. Or saw the newspaper and your favorite Hollywood stars are hooking up to this one sought after bachelor? For example, Ashton Kutcher is rumored having a romantic relationship with "The Black Swan" star, Mila Kunis., whom just broke up with his cougar lady love Demi Moore.

So how these people do it? How they manage to find a new love right after their break-up or rather why? How do they begin a new relationship right after the old one ended? Well, it is because it is one of the best ways to get over heartbreak.