Anonymous asks:
Should you swallow after giving head?
Anonymous—
Do you want to, whether because you enjoy it or because it turns you on to give your partner pleasure? If so, then go for it. If not—which I’m guessing might be the case behind this question—then consider this your permission slip not to.
I often say “fuck the shoulds” and that applies here. Whether or not you “should” do something in bed is less important than other questions like, “Do you enjoy it?” Of course, none of these answers are absolute—what you like and dislike is as impacted by your innate turn-ons and turn offs as it is by the context in which you’re having sex.
Of course, your personal preference isn’t the only thing to consider in the spit versus swallow debate. There are also health risks and benefits, as well as your partner’s preferences and even their taste and smell to consider. Read on for everything you need to know about these parts of the spit versus swallow debate.
Health Risks and Benefits of Swallowing Sperm
Like any form of unprotected sex, giving head and swallowing can put you at risk for an STI. In the case of oral sex, that means chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, HPV, HIV, and trichomoniasis. Best practices for oral sex include using a barrier method like a condom or dental dam. From this perspective, you may want to consider how well you know the person and whether or not you’ve had a chance to discuss your STI history, including when you were last tested.
As for health benefits, the research is mixed here. There are a lot of claims out there but the research doesn’t hold up—or even exist—for many of them. For example, while sperm contains nutrients, they aren’t in high enough concentrations to make a serious difference. Plus, the exact makeup of sperm varies depending on the penis haver’s diet. Similarly, while sperm contains anti-inflammatory properties, there’s no conclusive evidence that will impact your body if you swallow. Of the health claims, the strongest research relates to swallowing sperm reducing breast cancer risk. To summarize: the benefits aren’t well researched or established to make an argument for “should.”