[Question #4511] Protected oral sex

81 months ago

I'm a male, and I recently had a female sex worker at a massage parlor perform protected oral sex on me. Given that the internet tends to give a lot of conflicting (and sometimes outright frightening) information, I decided to ask some questions here:

1. What's the risk of getting an STD from this activity?
2. Is there any worry of contracting an STD from other activities, such as her breasts and hands touching my genitals? I'm not entirely certain she sanitizes her hands or chest between clients.

3. Is it even worthwhile asking my doctor for a "preventative" dose of antibiotics?
4. Should I carry on with unprotected sex with my significant other?

5. Just for complete peace of mind, how soon after this encounter should I get tested for STDs?

Thanks in advance.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

81 months ago

Welcome to our Forum. I'll be glad to comment. Before I do, please let me suggest that looking for information regarding STIs on the internet is more likely than not to lead you to mis-perceptions and unnecessary concerns. All too many of the "information" found on the internet is out of date, taken out of context or just plain wrong. Please do not seek information there.

Now for your specific concerns:

. What's the risk of getting an STD from this activity?

All STIs are not created equal. The is NO evidence that there is any risk for acquisition of HIV infection from receipt of oral sex. OTOH, gonorrhea is occasional acquired from receipt of oral sex, as is non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU). When these infections occur, both are typically symptomatic and if you do not develop symptoms within 7-10 days after exposure, there is little reason for concern.

2. Is there any worry of contracting an STD from other activities, such as her breasts and hands touching my genitals? I'm not entirely certain she sanitizes her hands or chest between clients.

No, these are no risk events.

3. Is it even worthwhile asking my doctor for a "preventative" dose of antibiotics?

Absolutely not. There is no evidence that "preventative medications" reduce infections after exposures such as yours and what they do do is confuse things.

4. Should I carry on with unprotected sex with my significant other?

Nothing you have indicated suggests a reason for concern.

5. Just for complete peace of mind, how soon after this encounter should I get tested for STDs?

testing for the most common STIs, gonorrhea, NGU and chlamydia will be conclusive 3-5 days after exposure. For far, far less common problems such as syphilis, testing is not conclusive until about 4 weeks after the exposure but these infections are so rare that this is not a major concern. FYI, we recommend strongly against any routine testing for herpes in the absence of symptoms - the tests are frequently misleading and often of little help. .

I hope this helps. EWH

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81 months ago

Thanks Dr. Hook.

Given that I used a condom during the oral sex, is it still possible to contract gonorrhea, NGU, chlamydia, etc.?

Appreciate the responses.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

81 months ago

No, with condom use during receipt of oral sex, there is virtually no risk, no reason for concern. EWH---

81 months ago

Thanks again.

As a final follow-up question, how much higher would the risk be had the sex worker used her lips and tongue around the head and shaft of my penis, but without inserting my penis into her mouth?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

81 months ago

If anything, your risk would be lower if there was no insertion of your penis into your partner's mouth and the only contact was with their tongue and lips.

This is my 3rd response to your questions, Thus, as per Forum guidelines, this will complete this thread and there will be no further responses. Please don't worry. Take care. EWH

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81 months ago

Hopefully I can make one final clarification (I don't mind spending another $25, if not!)... Dr. Hook, my last question was regarding unprotected licking/lips around the penis, without a condom. Would that change your answer?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

81 months ago

Understood, Still lower risk. EWH---