Cunnilingus has already been experienced by 90% of women, and not only as preliminary. He can nevertheless be a vector of diseases … Tips.
Cunnilingus or rather “cunnilinct” of its official name comes from the Latin “cunnus” which means “con” in French (the “con” designating the vulva) and “linuctus” 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 neighboring proportion of 95 %: a woman knows better than a man which is good for her. Therefore, it is essential that the man improves his knowledge of the woman” Recalls Dr. Gérard Leleu, sexologist in his book To you the 7th Heaven.
Cunnilingus is a provider of intense orgasms in women. Female sexuality having freed many taboos over time, it today offers a place of choice to this sexual practice which has become much more than a simple preliminary useful for lubrication and then penetration. In a survey published by IFOP in 2019, 90% of women interviewed confirmed that they have already received cunnilingus during their lifetime including 40% “often”. But with the increase in the number of partners during sex, the risks are more frequent (whether for the person who receives cunnilingus or who does it), especially when there is no protection (dental dike).
“Without dental dike, cunnilingus can transmit sexual infections such as gonococcus and chlamydia, by liquids, leukorrhea (white losses)“, explains Dr. Andreea Matefi, gynecologist and couple therapist. Gonococcie is the name of sexually transmitted disease due to the Gonococcal microbe Neisseria gonorhoeae. In women, infection can result in genital itching, unusual losses, pain during sexual reminders and burns by urinating. In humans, it manifests itself in uretritis. This pathology is treated by taking antibiotics. Chlamydiosis is due to bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. They affect men as much (who also develop urethritis) as women. The problem is that very often, chlamydiosis does not cause a symptom. We can thus transmit it without knowing it. However, not neat, it can lead Salpingitis In women who can cause sterility or extra-uterine pregnancy. Hence the importance of Being tested regularly if you often change sexual partners.
Cunnilingus exposes the risk of genital herpes if the one who lavishes it has herpes (a fever button for example). “It is a transmission of liquid liquid, the virus falls into the women’s cells by its secretions and can then cause herpes thrusts” explains Dr. Matefi. Transmission can be made 15 days before the appearance of the fever button “Because the herpes virus is already in saliva” . Fortunately, however, the risk is not systematic: “The woman’s immune system will fight so she will not necessarily develop a genital herpes each time a man who has a oral herpes will give her cunnilingus, reassures our interlocutor. On the other hand if it does not have antibodies, that its immune system is a little faulty, that it is tired or that it has its rules, there potentially there is more risk of transmission. But in any case, she cannot know it in advance. “
Hepatitis B and C can get stuck during cunnilingus. How ? If there are lesions in the mouth of the one who gives cunnilingus (as in case of gingivitis) or in terms of the sex of the woman. In order for the hepatitis virus to be transmitted, there must be a blood -blooded contact. For hepatitis B, the risk remains “very weak unless cunnilingus is practiced during the rules ” Specifies the Hepatitis-Info-Service site. There is also a vaccine against hepatitis B, reimbursed by social security. After contamination of the hepatitis C virus (VHC), there is often no symptoms and some people eliminate the infection spontaneously which does not prevent them from being able to be reinfected. Unlike hepatitis B, HCV becomes chronic in 80% of cases.
“If you have a partner at a time 0, it is possible that the HPV is triggered until two to three years later”
The HIV virus, head of AIDS, can be transmitted during unprotected cunnilingus if there are lesions allowing the virus to penetrate the blood of the uninfected person. For example “If there are large gingivitis (bleeding at the gum level), bleeding after shaving, menstruation” Details Dr. Matefi. There must be a contact between the blood of the two protagonists. Saliva does not transmit HIV so if there is no lesion, there is no risk of transmission, “It is proven”.
Human papillomavirus infection (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). This virus can be transmitted by the skin and the oral and genital mucous membranes therefore during cunnilingus (but also during a blowjob and vaginal or anal penetration). According to the gynecologist“Everyone has had at least one, once in their life, whether or not to realize it”. There are indeed between 200 and 250 kinds of HPV. The risk occurs when you are contaminated by an HPV called “at risk” because associated with the occurrence of cervical cancers and ENT cancers (throat …). 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 quite long, the virus does not flare like that. If you have a partner at a time 0, it is possible that HPV is only triggered two to three years later” she continues. Hence the importance, for women, to be followed regularly by a gynecologist. Especially since men are never detected. “They do not come to consultation, they are not told either to go see a dermatologist to know if there are infected areas in terms of their glans. It is a taboo in France. Talking about sexuality to a man is complicated, Note the gynecologist. The woman therefore carries the charge because once she is detected, if she has a regular partner or to which she holds, she will direct her towards a dermatologist who will detect him. ”
► Should we avoid cunnilingus after a positive test with papillomavirus? “If there are no condylomas (genital warts) Outside the vulva, there is less risk of transmission of the virus if there is only a cunnilingus (and no penetration, blowjob …) “ replies the gynecologist. Do not hesitate to discuss it with the attending physician or the gynecologist.
Syphilis is an infectious disease due to a bacteria called Treponema Pallidum or “pale treponme”. It is transmitted during unprotected reports: vaginal, anal and oral genital (blowjob and cunnilingus). How ? By contact with the cannons on the vulva, even if there are no lesions. The cankers look like unique round lesions, pink, hard, but not painful in the external genitals, on the acorn in men or the vulva, the vagina or the collar in women. If there are cannons, you should not do cunnilingus, at risk if not to be contaminated.
“There are additional risks to practice cunnilingus during rules”
Yes. “There are additional risks to practice cunnilingus during menstruation, replies the gynecologist, Compared to the transmission of the AIDS virus (or that of hepatitis B or C). On the other hand, if it is a stable partner, known, with negative serologies, there, there is no risk. “
Have you exchanged cunnilingus with a passing partner? Or with several partners? Without dental dike … in doubt of a possible contamination (with the risks mentioned above), you must be tested. To prevent possible complications from you and new transmissions to your future partners.
► For the IST serologies (chlamydia, gonococcus, hepatitis B, C, HIV, syphilis …): you have to wait at least 6 weeks after the report. Except in the case of clinical signs (such as the occurrence of cannons …). In this case, consult as soon as they occur.
► In case of various sexuality, multiple partners: screening once and twice a year. “For the HPV, you have to be tested every year if there is a change of partner and not necessarily of protection”recommends Dr. Matefi. The High Authority for Health (HAS) recommends that women be tested every 3 years but as the gynecologist points out, this recommendation does not take into account everyone’s sexuality: multiple partners, resumption of sexual activity …
Thank you to Dr Andreea Matefi, doctor of medicine, specialty general medicine and DIU holder in medical gynecology.
- Organized cervical cancer screening. Definition of performance indicators and data format for the assessment of the national program, public health France, March 29, 2022
- IFOP study for her 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 living in mainland France.
