TONGUE IN ‘CHECK’

Tarun was perplexed. His wife Shobha, a wild tigress in bed, had suddenly changed. She was refusing oral sex. On questioning she brandished a news clipping. The clipping quoted a John’s Hopkins University, USA research which found increased incidence of throat cancer in people who indulge in oral sex.

While this report may sound alarming, it should be understood in the proper perspective. The research does not say that oral sex, by itself, causes throat cancer. What it said was that people who had more than six oral sex partners and one of the partners have HPV infection are at a higher risk than monogamous oral sex partners.

The belief that oral sex is harmful is ancient. In a Victorian book of 1897, it was said that Cunnilingus could give a husband cancer of the tongue and result in the death of his wife. Some consider oral sex as unnatural. This notion also prevails in the law books and it may be categorised as against the order of the nature making it a punishable crime.

Oral Sex comes in two main variants — Fellatio and Cunnilingus. In Fellatio, the woman uses her tongue and mouth to stimulate the male genitals. In cunnilingus the man uses mouth and tongue to arouse the female. Colloquially Fellatio is known as “Blow Job” and Cunnilingus as “Mouth Music.” Following are some guide lines for the connoisseurs — Don't coerce your partner. Maintain genital and oral hygiene. Do not indulge if you/your partner has/had Hepatitis B, HIV or genital fungal infections.

If not sure, men can use dental dams and women can use flavored condoms on their partners. Avoid oral sex on menstruating and pregnant women. It may result in aeroembolisms and death. The writer is a sexologist. Mail him at

dr.narayana@deccanmail.com