I Had Unprotected Oral Sex. Should I Get Tested?

Having unprotected oral sex can be an uncomfortable subject to think about, but it is important to understand the risks associated with it. It is natural to feel anxious or scared if you have engaged in unprotected oral sex and are not sure whether you should get tested for any potential sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Fortunately, Better2Know has resources available that can provide guidance and help answer your questions. This blog will explore when it might be necessary for someone who has engaged in unprotected oral sex to get tested, as well as other helpful information related to STI testing and prevention.

When is oral sex considered unprotected?

Most people do not think of protection when they engage in oral sex.

Oral sex, however, is a form of sex and carries its own risks. It is just as important to use protection during oral sex as any other kind of sex.

Unprotected oral sex is defined as any type of oral contact with either a partner’s genitals or anus, without using protective barriers such as condoms and dental dams.

What STIs can I get through unprotected oral sex?

Just as with vaginal and anal sex, engaging in oral sex carries the risk of getting and spreading STIs. While you are less likely to get some STIs during oral sex, it is still possible and should be treated as carrying the same risks as engaging in unprotected vaginal or anal sex.

STIs can be transferred during oral sex when bodily fluids such as semen or vaginal fluid come into contact with mucus membranes in the mouth and the throat. Infections can also be transmitted when contact is made between one person’s mouth and another person’s sore, blister, chancre, or wart.

STIs that can be spread through oral sex include Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Syphilis, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Herpes I/II (Genital Herpes and Oral Herpes), human papillomavirus (HPV), and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Most sexually transmitted infections present with no symptoms, so even if you feel fine after performing or receiving unprotected oral sex, you may still have caught an STI.

When should I get tested if I have unprotected oral sex?

You should get tested after any unprotected sex, including unprotected oral sex. Most STIs are not detectable on an STI test until after 14 days have passed since the incident of concern, although some STIs are detectable earlier or later than this.

If you are sexually active and perform unprotected oral sex frequently, you should get tested regularly. This could mean getting tested as often as every few weeks.

What tests should I get after unprotected oral sex?

If you have engaged in unprotected oral sex, you will most likely need a throat swab test to check for a throat-based Chlamydia or Gonorrhoea infection, since these are the STIs that most commonly infect the throat.

While it is theoretically possible to pass a Chlamydia or Gonorrhoea infection from the throat to the vagina or penis, the actual risks are still being investigated and more research on this subject is needed.

Other infections that could transfer to your throat or mouth from sores or warts on/around your partner’s genitals or anus, or vice versa, include Syphilis, HPV, and Herpes I/II. It is also technically possible to pass on HIV through oral sex, though the risk is very low.

While you may need to worry about certain STIs more than others when performing or receiving oral sex, you may also wish to be extra cautious by testing for a variety of infections.

Final thoughts

If you are concerned about your sexual health, get in touch with our team of Sexual Health Advisors by calling the number above. They can help you book an STI test at a nearby sexual health clinic. Or you can start your own online booking by clicking the Book Now button.