Condoms and oral sex

Some people like to have oral sex, which involves sucking or licking the vagina, penis or anus.

STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV can be passed on by giving or receiving oral sex, especially if there are cuts or sores in the mouth or genital area.

Condoms can be used to make oral sex safer. Any kind of condom can be used, although there are a variety of flavoured condoms available.

A dental dam (a square of very thin soft latex or non-latex material) can also be used to lay across the anus or female genitals to protect against infection.