Sexual practice dedicated to the stimulation of the vulva, cunnilingus has already been experienced by 90% of women, and not only as a preliminary. It can nevertheless be a vector of diseases… Advice.
the cunnilingus or rather “cunnilingus“its official name comes from Latin”cunnus” which means “con” in French (the “con” designating the vulva) and “linctus” which means “lick“. It is also called “vulvar kiss” or “clitoral kiss”. “When it is a man who offers this kiss, 42% of women get an orgasm, when it is a woman who gives this kiss to another woman, the orgasm would occur in a proportion close to 95%: a woman knows better than a man what is good for her. Therefore, it is essential that the man improves his knowledge of the woman” recalls Dr. Gérard Leleu, sexologist doctor in his book 7th heaven is yours.
Cunnilingus is a provider of intense orgasms in women. Female sexuality having freed itself from many taboos over time, it now offers a place of choice for this sexual practice which has become much more than a simple useful preliminary to lubrication and then to penetration. In a survey published by Ifop in 2019, 90% of the women questioned confirmed having already received cunnilingus during their life, including 40% “often”. But with the increase in the number of partners during the sexual life, the risks are more frequent (whether for the person who receives the cunnilingus or who does it), especially when there is no protection (dam dental).
“Without a dental dam, cunnilingus can transmit sexual infections such as gonococcus and chlamydia, by liquids, leucorrhoea (White discharge)“, explains Dr. Andreea Matefi, gynecologist and couple therapist. Gonococcal disease is the name of the sexually transmitted disease caused by the gonococcal microbe Neisseria gonorrhoeae. In women, the infection can result in genital itching, unusual lossespain during sexual reminders and burning while urinating. In men, it manifests as urethritis. This pathology can be treated by taking antibiotics. Chlamydiosis is caused by bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. They affect both men (who also develop urethritis) and women. The problem is that very often, chlamydia does not cause symptoms. We can thus transmit it without knowing it. However, if left untreated, it can lead to salpingitis in women, which may be the cause of sterility or an ectopic pregnancy. Hence the importance of get tested regularly if you change sexual partners often.
Cunnilingus exposes you to the risk of genital herpes if the person giving it has herpes (a cold sore, for example). “It’s a liquid-to-liquid transmission, the virus enters the woman’s cells through her secretions and can then lead to herpes outbreaks” explains Dr. Matefi. The transmission can be done 15 days before the appearance of cold sores “because the herpes virus is already in the saliva” . Fortunately, however, the risk is not systematic: “A woman’s immune system will fight, so she won’t necessarily develop genital herpes every time a man with oral herpes performs cunnilingus on her, reassures our interlocutor. On the other hand, if she has no antibodies, her immune system is a little weak, she is tired or has her period, there is potentially more risk of transmission. But in any case, she cannot know in advance.”
Hepatitis B and C can be caught during cunnilingus. How ? If there are lesions in the mouth of the one who gives the cunnilingus (as in the case of gingivitis) or at the level of the woman’s sex. For the hepatitis virus in question to be transmitted, there must be blood-to-blood contact. For hepatitis B, the risk remains “very weak unless cunnilingus is practiced during menstruation” specify the site Hepatitis-info-service. There is also a vaccine against hepatitis B, reimbursed by Social Security. After contamination with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), there are often no symptoms and some people eliminate the infection spontaneously, which does not prevent them from being reinfected. Unlike hepatitis B, HCV becomes chronic in 80% of cases.
The HIV virus, responsible for AIDS, can be transmitted during unprotected cunnilingus if there are lesions allowing the virus to enter the blood of the uninfected person. For instance “if there are large gingivitis (bleeding from the gums), bleeding after shaving, menstruation” details Dr. Matefi. There must be blood contact of the two protagonists. Saliva does not transmit HIV so if there is no lesion, there is no risk of transmission, “it’s proven”.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). This virus can be transmitted through the skin and the oral and genital mucous membranes therefore during cunnilingus (but also during fellatio and vaginal or anal penetration). According to the gynecologist“everyone has had at least one, once in their life, whether they realize it or not”. There is indeed between 200 and 250 kinds of HPV. The risk arises when one is contaminated by an HPV said to be “at risk” because it is associated with the occurrence of cancers of the cervix and ENT cancers (throat, etc.).. The state of the immune system is important at the time of transmission: “Some immune systems will eliminate the virus. Others will not prevent it from developing (10% of cases). It’s long enough, the virus does not flare up like that. If you have a partner at a time 0, it’s possible that HPV won’t break out until two to three years later.” she continues. Hence the importance for women to be regularly monitored by a gynecologist. Especially since the men are never screened. “They don’t come for a consultation, nor are they told to go see a dermatologist to find out if there are infected areas on their glans. It’s a taboo in France. Talking about sexuality to a man it’s complicated, notes the gynecologist. The woman therefore bears the burden because once she is screened, if she has a regular partner or someone she cares about, she will refer him to a dermatologist who will screen him.”
Should cunnilingus be avoided after a positive HPV test? “If there are no warts (genital warts) outside at the level of the vulva, there is less risk of transmission of the virus if there is only cunnilingus (and no penetration, fellatio…)” answers the gynecologist. Do not hesitate to discuss it with the attending physician or gynecologist.
Syphilis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria called Treponema pallidum or “pale treponema”. It is transmitted during unprotected intercourse: vaginal, anal and bucco-genital (fellatio and cunnilingus). How ? By contact with the chancres present on the vulva, even if there are no lesions. Chancres look like single, round, pinkish-colored, hard, but painless lesions on the external genitalia, on the glans in men or the vulva, vagina, or cervix in women. If there are chancres, do not perform cunnilingus, otherwise you risk being contaminated.
Yes. “There are additional risks of practicing cunnilingus during menstruation, answers the gynecologist, in relation to the transmission of the AIDS virus (or that of hepatitis B or C). On the other hand, if it is a stable, known partner, with negative serologies, there is no risk.
Have you exchanged cunnilingus with a passing partner? Or with several partners? Without dental dam… In the doubt of a possible contamination (with the risks mentioned above), it is necessary to be screened. To prevent possible complications for you and new transmissions to your future partners.
• For STI serologies (chlamydia, gonococcus, hepatitis B, C, HIV, syphilis, etc.) : it is necessary to wait at least 6 weeks after the report. Except in the case of clinical signs (such as the occurrence of cankers, etc.). In this case, consult as soon as they occur.
• In case of varied sexuality, multiple partners : do a screening once or twice a year. “For HPV, you have to get tested every year if there is a change of partner and not necessarily protection”, recommends Dr. Matefi. The High Authority for Health (HAS) recommends that women get tested every 3 years, but as the gynecologist points out, this recommendation does not take into account each person’s sexuality: multiple partners, resumption of sexual activity…
| HPV screening methods changed in July 2020 |
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Sources:
Cervical cancer screening: the recommended HPV test for women over 30. French Public Health. July 10, 2020.
Ifop study for ELLE carried out by self-administered online questionnaire from January 28 to 29, 2019 with a sample of 1,007 women, representative of the female population aged 18 and over residing in metropolitan France.
Thanks to Dr. Andreea Matefi, Doctor of Medicine, General Medicine Specialty and holder of the DIU in Medical Gynecology.