Oral sex

• 1. Defining The Act

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  A woman performs fellatio on a man in the opening image of this article. Oral sex involves stimulating genitalia using the mouth, lips, tongue, or teeth. Cunnilingus describes oral stimulation of the vulva while fellatio targets the penis. Anilingus refers to oral contact with the anus. These acts may serve as foreplay before other sexual activities or stand alone as intimate experiences. Some people practice these acts to preserve virginity, creating what is known as technical virginity. This concept excludes penile-vaginal intercourse but includes other forms of physical intimacy.

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• 2. Health And Safety

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  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated in 2009 that studies indicate oral sex is commonly practiced by sexually active couples of various ages including adolescents. Risk of contracting HIV through oral sex is significantly lower than vaginal or anal sex. However, wounds on genitals or open sores in the mouth increase transmission chances for infections like Chlamydia and human papillomavirus. Brushing teeth or flossing shortly before performing oral sex can cause microscopic scratches that elevate infection risks. Condoms used during fellatio or dental dams applied during cunnilingus offer some protection though no barrier method has been evaluated as fully effective by the Food and Drug Administration. A study at Malmö University's Faculty of Odontology found 36 percent of cancer patients had HPV compared to only 1 percent of healthy controls.

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• 3. Virginity And Contraception

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  Over half the teenagers questioned in a 2005 National Center for Health Statistics report had experienced oral sex. Heterosexual couples may engage in oral sex for contraception reasons since sperm ingested by women gets broken down by stomach acids. Sperm cannot travel from the gastrointestinal system to the reproductive system in humans. Some researchers suggest repeated exposure to semen through oral introduction might establish immunological tolerance necessary for safe pregnancy. This process known as paternal tolerance could reduce miscarriage risk according to certain studies. Gay men who view penile-anal penetration as virginity loss often define oral sex differently than heterosexual pairings do.

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• 4. Global Prevalence Data

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  A Canadian study revealed 89% of heterosexual and bisexual men had practiced cunnilingus while 94% enjoyed it. Of those who enjoyed it, 76% practiced it often or very frequently. Reasons for not practicing included lack of opportunity accounting for 73% and disgust representing 13%. The same data suggests much more than 89% of men would practice if given the chance. Males are generally more likely than females to have received oral sex though equal proportions of both genders give it. These statistics come from computer-administered surveys involving over 12,000 Americans aged 15 to 44 published in Time magazine on the 26th of September 2005.

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• 5. Cultural Attitudes

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  Ancient Romans considered fellatio profoundly taboo with sexual acts viewed through submission and control lenses. Two Latin words defined the act: irrumare meaning to penetrate orally and fellare meaning to be penetrated orally. It was abhorrent for a male to perform fellatio since that implied being controlled. Practitioners were thought to have foul breath and unwelcome as dinner guests. In contrast Chinese Taoism reveres cunnilingus as spiritually fulfilling with abilities to enhance longevity. Modern Western culture widely practices oral sex among adolescents and adults despite historical taboos. Some people find it unnatural because it does not result in reproduction while others view it as less intimate due to lack of face-to-face contact.

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• 6. Slang And Language

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  Giving head serves as a common American slang term for providing oral sex to either gender. Plate emerged as British rhyming slang for fellate within gay Polari language during the 1960s though usage has declined. Muff diving describes cunnilingus alongside terms like eating out or poon-job where poon derives from punani. Lesbian culture utilizes phrases such as carpet munching, giving lip, tipping the velvet invented by novelist Sarah Waters. Forced fellatio sometimes carries the name Egyptian rape referencing Crusades-era allegations involving Mamluks forcing Christian captives. Other expressions include playing the skin flute, rolling cigars, lolly-gagging, gaining knowledge, and bust down depending on recipient gender.

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• 7. Animal Behaviors

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  Fellatio occurs naturally between fruit bat pairs where females lick males to extend copulation time. This behavior provides evolutionary advantages observed across primates non-primates and humans. Fish from Corydoras genus reproduce orally with males releasing sperm directly into female mouths crossing digestive systems to fertilize eggs. These biological observations suggest oral sexual behaviors exist beyond human societies. The tendency toward oral sex appears advantageous enough to persist across diverse species including bats and fish populations worldwide.

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