ORAL SEX - A Medical and Biblical Perspective

Introduction

According to research, oral sex is commonly practiced today than many years ago. Like homosexuality oral sex was once considered to be a taboo but today, most sexually active people engage in it. Oral sex is practiced in both heterosexual and homosexual relationships but very common in homosexual relationships.  

^1"In  2013 the National Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyle (NATSAL, USA) survey announced that in all age groups (except the over-65s), the majority of people now say that they have oral sex sometimes. For instance, 71% of young adults (age 16 to 24) reported that they'd had oral sex in the last year. And 80% of 25 to 34 year old people said the same thing". 

The purpose of this article is to present oral sex from a medical and biblical perspective. This article comprises of my personal thoughts and research of others which I have duly referenced.

Definition

^2"By definition, oral sex is when someone puts his or her lips, mouth or tongue on a man’s penis, a woman’s genitals (including the clitoris, vulva, and vaginal opening), or the anus of another person". To say is differently, oral sex refers to the sexual act involving the mouth and the penis, female genitals (clitoris, vulva and vaginal opening) and the anus.

Oral sex can be grouped into the following;

• Fellatio - The term used to describe an oral sex act involving the mouth and the penis (male genital organ).

•  Cunnilingus – Cunnilingus describes oral sex act involving the mouth and the female genitals (clitoris, vulva or vaginal opening).

•  Anilingus – It describes the oral sex act involving the mouth and the anus. It is sometimes called rimming

Medical Perspective 

During my undergraduate nursing program at the University of Ghana, the first two courses I read were Human Anatomy and Physiology. Human Anatomy looks at the study of the various parts of the human body and how they are arranged. Human Physiology on the other hand looks at the functions of these body parts as described by anatomy. Human Anatomy and Physiology are the basic courses every medical practitioner (Nurse, Doctor, Laboratory staff, Physiotherapy, Dietitian etc.) studied during his or her training.  I have and continue to read many books, articles, journals and other academic papers in these courses (Human anatomy and physiology).  Having done so, I have arrived at two (2) conclusions;

1. Every part of the human body has its own peculiar (special, different, distinct, unique) function. For example, no other body part except the leg can walk like the leg, the eyes cannot hear neither can the ears see, we cannot eat through our anus neither can we defecate through our mouth. Every organ of the body has its own peculiar function.
2. No other body part can perform the function of the other without risks and having problems. There will always be a problem if you try to use a body part for a function other than what it was meant for. You can try eating through your nose, walking with your head, defecating through your mouth and share your experience with me. This understanding forms the foundation of my view on Oral sex.

To make this point very strongly, the functions of the mouth does not include sex. I have not come across any medical book or article that list sex as one function of the mouth. The functions of the mouth as stated in all the medical materials I have read and watched are;

   

1. For chewing 
2. For determining taste (The tongue plays this role)
3. For speech
4. For expressions
5. For breathing
6. For digestion of food (Carbohydrates)
7. Receives and directs food, drinks and other substances into the stomach through the oesophagus 

Nowhere is sex written as part of the functions of the mouth. According to medical literature, the mouth is a part of the digestive system but not the reproductive system where organs for sex have been grouped. This grouping buttresses the point that the functions of the mouth does not include SEX.

People who engage in oral sex are at risk of getting sexually transmitted infections (STI). ^3"Many STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, can be spread through oral sex". According to the American Sexual Health Association, It may be possible to get some STIs in the mouth or throat from giving oral sex to a partner with a genital or anal/rectal infection, particularly from giving fellatio. It also may be possible to get certain STIs on the penis, and possibly the vagina, anus or rectum, from receiving oral sex from a partner with a mouth or throat infection. It’s possible to have an STI in more than one area, for example in the throat and the genitals. ^4"Other STIs, such as syphilis, herpes, gonorrhea and chlamydia, can be transmitted during oral sex. Anilingus can also transmit hepatitis A and B, intestinal parasites like Giardia, and bacteria like E. coli. ⁵Oral Sex predisposes a person to getting pubic lice infection. Pubic lice found in the pubic hair can be transmitted through oral sex and produce symptoms such as itching, irritation, inflammations, and spots on the skin. 

⁶Oral sex is linked to cancer of the throat and other organs in the mouth. The human papillomavirus (HPV) which causes cancer can be passed from person to person during sex, including oral sex. Researchers have found that some cancers of the oropharynx (the middle of the throat) and tonsils are probably caused by a certain type of human papillomavirus (HPV). A classic example is the story of Bruce Dickson (an American Artist) who got throat cancer as a result of oral sex. (http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6685962/iron-maiden-bruce-dickinson-throat-cancer-oral-sex). ⁷According to a research by D'souza etal (2007), people who have more than five (5) oral sex partners have 250% risk of getting throat cancer than those who do not practice oral sex. The story of Michael Douglas a Holywood actor confirms the fact that oral sex causes oral cancer.

⁸According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Oral sex is making it difficult to treat gonorrhea. Gonorrhoea is on the rise due to a decline in condom use during oral sex, the World Health Organisation warns. The drug-resistant STI can spread from the throat of an infected person without them even knowing that they have the disease as in most cases, there are no symptoms. "Transmission is very efficient from someone who has gonorrhea in their throat to their partner via oral sex," Emilie Alirol from the Global Antibiotics Research and Development Partnership, told The New York Times.

The disease conditions mentioned above are very dangerous. They have killed many people and continue to kill many. For me, the only way to prevent these diseases is to avoid oral sex totally. Use the right organs of the body (Penis, Vagina) for sex and you will be safe. 

Biblical Perspective 

Throughout my study of the word of God (The Holy Bible), I have not come across a single verse that explicitly allow or disallow oral sex. My search has not revealed a single verse that directly state “Thou shall not engage in oral sex”. Let me quickly add; the fact that the Bible is silent on a topic does not mean it endorses it. Going forward, I would share with you some principles in the Bible that can guide our sexual practices.  

For the start, God gave sex to married couples (Man and Woman) for enjoyment and procreation. It is reserved for only married men and women. Sex was not made for unmarried people and homosexuals. Married men and women have the liberty to engage in sex and all its forms.  However, they have a duty towards God to apply godly principles in this practice.

                 

1.  We must control our emotions and passion. God requires us to control all aspects of our lives including marriage and for that matter our passion and sex. Galatians 5:23 adds self-control to the virtues listed under the fruit of the spirit. This means that all those who bear the fruit of the spirit will exhibit self-control. This self control should not be selective but should apply to every action we undertake including sex. Like the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, we must bring our body into subjection so that we can make it to the kingdom of God.

"24. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27.  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.  (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 KJV)

 2.   We must glorify God in our sexual life. We were created by God for His glory and for that reason we have to glorify Him in everything we do. 

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”  (1 Corinthians 10:31 KJV)

Permit me to quote the verse above as; 

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do including sex, do all to the glory of God”. 

Sex is a gift from God and so our sexual life should glorify God who has given us this gift. This principle may seem subjective depending on your relationship and perception of God. But before you engage in any sexual act, remind yourself that God is watching from above. Ask yourself if this sexual act will glorify your Father in Heaven or not.

3. Our bodies are the temple of God. We belong to God both by creation and redemption and so we are not our own.  When we acknowledge this fact, we will live with circumspection. We will stay away from anything that can defile the body which is the temple of God. 

19. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.   (1 Corinthians 9:10,20 KJV)

4. God will destroy those who destroy His temple. The word of God is very clear that God will destroy those who destroy His temple which is your body.  You can destroy your body when you engage in lifestyles that have the possibility of making you sick or kill you. Oral sex has a tendency of making you sick and can kill you in the long run. Hence, you must stay away from it so that you don't destroy this temple of God.  1 Corinthians 3:16,17 is my reference point.

16. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17. If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are (1 Corinthians 3:16,17).

5. Finally, We must be  health conscious in our sexual life. It is very risky to engage in oral sex from a medical perspective. The health complications I have shared earlier are dire and so we cannot joke with it.  We must not allow sexual pleasure to cloud our sense of judgement. We must remain conscious even in sex. 

"Men and women professing godliness pollute the body through the indulgence of fallen lust, and thus lower themselves to the level of the beast. They abuse their ability to be preserved in sanctification and honor. Health and life are dedicated to the altar of lowly lust. The higher and noble abilities are subdued to the animal propensity. Such sinners do not know the consequences of their actions.

If everyone can see how much of the pain they are bringing into sinful indulgence, they will be surprised. And at least some people will abandon the sinful practices that bring about this fearful revelation. As a result of sinful indulgence, many people will be so miserable that they will want to die rather than live. And many people die too early. Their lives are sacrificed in the infamous work of excessive indulgence of animal lust. Nevertheless, they think that they are not guilty of any crime because they are married. 

Men and women, one day you will see what lust is and what it is to indulge in it. The same lust of qualities as those outside the marriage relationship can be found in marriage relationships". (Ellen G. White - Review and Herald, September 19, 1899).

Conclusion

Oral sex is gaining prominence these days. Many young and older folks are seriously engaging in it everyday. From a medical perspective, oral sex is not safe. Oral sex puts you at risk of getting sexually transmitted diseases and cancers which can make your life miserable and cut your life short. If you want to see the impact of these diseases on the life of a person, please visit any hospital. You will see the kind of misery many people are going through each day and night in our hospitals. The best way to prevent it is to stay away from oral sex (Fellatio, Cunnilingus, and Anilingus) 
 The Bible does not explicitly disallow oral sex. However, there are many principles in the Bible that does not support this act. I will at this point, encourage you to study more for yourself on this topic. Always remember that God has a work for you on this earth. Do not cut it short by your actions. Keep safe and take care of yourself. God bless you.

References

1 http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/conditions/sexual-health/a12020/infection-risks-associated-with-oral-sex/ 

2,3  http://www.ashasexualhealth.org/stdsstis/oral-sex-stis/x

4. https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/risk/oralsex.html

5. http://www.nhs.uk/chq/pages/1685.aspx?categoryid=118

6. http://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/features/4-things-you-didnt-know-about-oral-sex#2

7. http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa065497 

8.  http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/love-sex/oral-sex-gonorrhoea-rise-sti-condon-use-decline-antibiotics-no-symptoms-a7874656.htmlx

 

Written by:
                  James Mckeown Amoah (BSC. RGN.)
                   Nursing Officer, Department of Medicine (Korle Bu Teaching Hospital)