The British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) believe there is not enough being done to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections via oral sex.
Dr Peter Greenhouse (advises on UK government sexual health policy), recently told Newsbeat; very few people are using condoms for oral sex.
He went on to say; they don’t know that you can get chlamydia and gonorrhoea in the back of your throat without trying very hard.
Whilst treatment for gonorrhoea is a round of antibiotics, it is important to note that the drugs used to treat the condition, would not cure the infection in your throat so you would still be able to pass it on…unknowingly!
In a recent Health Protection report that looked at Chlamydia screening and sexually transmitted infections in England in 2015 (published July 2016), there was a concerning rise in genital herpes, syphilis and gonorrhoea shown.
It is now thought, oral sex is believed to be the main way people get genital herpes these days!
So what is the best way forward?
Condoms and dental dams when engaging in oral sex with a new partner would be the most sensible thing to do but unfortunately, many claim the introduction of such items kills the vibe or is often forgotten about in the heat of the moment.
The alternative (and in addition to) would be to ensure you are on top of your sexual health, meaning you rake regular visits to the clinic, before, during and after sex with a new partner.
Better safe than sorry hey?!