Is Oral Sex Risky? It May Lead to Incurable Gonorrhea

What does oral sex have to do with an antibiotic-resistant sexually transmitted disease spreading? Read on.

Experts say oral sex is a major reason antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea is spreading.

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Sex. Hush. Oral sex. Hush hush. Openly talking about the S-word is almost a taboo in India. And oral sex so much so that it’s illegal to indulge in it under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. But this doesn’t mean people aren’t doing it.

This absence of communication leads to lack of awareness, especially amongst youngsters. And knowledge about sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) and protection against them is extremely low in the country.

So, let’s look at a recent news report and educate ourselves regarding a rising concern.

In its report, World Health Organisation (WHO) has said: “data from 77 countries show that antibiotic resistance is making gonorrhea – a common sexually-transmitted infection – much harder, and sometimes impossible to treat.”

What is making this STD antibiotic-resistant? And how is it spreading? Experts say one of the reasons is oral sex.

How Is Super-Gonorrhea Connected to Oral Sex?

Gonorrhoea spreads through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex with multiple partners, or a partner who's having sex with multiple partners. It infects the genitals, rectum and throat. But it is the throat infection that is most concerning health officials when it comes to the antibiotic-resistant superbug.

Oral sex can transmit the gonorrhea bacteria from someone's privates to your throat and vice versa. While saliva has enzymes that can kill it, the STD is contracted by performing oral sex on a man due to the urethra coming into contact with the pharynx, where there’s a higher risk of bacterial exchange.

(GIF Courtesy: giphy.com)

This disease doesn’t show symptoms in a lot of cases. And this may be causing a problem since people don’t get tested for it and may not realise they have it. Even if you do develop symptoms, it’s the same as regular throat infections like a sore throat, difficulty in swallowing and redness of the throat.

When you use antibiotics to treat infections like a normal sore throat, this mixes with the gonorrhea bacteria in your throat and this results in resistance.

Dr Teodora Wi, Medical Officer, WHO

You can then transfer this super-gonorrhea to someone else’s privates through oral sex. And this chain may go on, spreading the untreatable disease. A decline in condom use is also to be blamed, says WHO.

The WHO report says that three cases of totally incurable gonorrhea have emerged in Japan, France and Spain.

Experts warn that this may be more serious in lower-income countries like India.

These cases may just be the tip of the iceberg, since systems to diagnose and report untreatable infections are lacking in lower-income countries where gonorrhea is actually more common

Dr Teodora Wi, Medical Officer, WHO

It isn't typically deadly and many people who catch it, especially women, don't even show any symptoms of infection. But if left untreated, gonorrhea can cause genital scarring and inflammation that eventually leads to infertility in both men and women, while making it easier to develop other infections like HIV.

It can also spread from mother to child in the womb, raising the risk of miscarriage or the child being born blind.

So, Is Oral Sex an Absolute No-No?

Not at all. You can still rejoice.

First of all, STDs are generally contracted when you or whom you’re having sex with have multiple partners.

There is always a risk in unprotected sex, be it vaginal or oral (there’s a world of flavoured condoms awaiting you). But it’s all about hygiene, says Dr Chitra Setya, gynaecologist.

If you and your partner are following a clean and hygienic sexual routine, there is nothing wrong with oral sex at all.

Dr Chitra Setya, Gynaecologist

While condoms will reduce the risk, many may not want to use it. So the least you can do is be aware.

Everything about better sexual health begins with education, communication and honesty. If after sex you feel uneasy (in the throat or stomach or anywhere), follow these steps.

Step1: Go see a doctor and get tested for STDs, if needed.
Step2: Tell your partner.