Cunnilingus, also known as ‘going down’, or ‘eating out’ is the act of performing oral sex on someone that has a vulva. For individuals with a vulva, Cunnilingus can be extremely pleasurable, and in some cases it’s one of the best ways for them to experience an orgasm.

This is because Cunnilingus involves direct stimulation of the vulva (the external part of the vagina) with someone’s mouth and tongue. The giver is able to also directly stimulate the receiver’s clitoris, which can result in intense, full-body orgasms which other forms of sex (like penetration) more often than not can’t do. The clit has over 8000 nerve endings, so it’s understandable why so many individuals prefer oral sex to penetration or enjoy a combination of the two.

Like all other forms of sex, the goal isn’t necessarily an orgasm. If that’s what you and your sexual partner want and mutually agree on that’s great, but that isn’t the point of sex, and Cunnilingus is no different. Oral sex is a great way for someone to experience very high levels of pleasure and intimacy without the pressure or need to orgasm. Now that you know a little bit more about what Cunnilingus is, below we have five ways to practice safe oral sex:

1. CONSENT always comes first!

With ALL sexual acts consent is the number one priority. Make sure your sexual partner has given their FULL consent to oral sex – whether they’re the receiver or the giver. Consent needs to be constantly reaffirmed throughout the sexual act too until you both agree that it’s over.

2. Get tested for STI’s:

Yes, it’s still possible to transmit or get infected with an STI through oral sex. STIs like gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis can be spread through Cunnilingus. If you’re about to get sexually active with a new sexual partner getting tested for STIs together is always a great idea and should be completely normalised, no matter how ‘fresh’ things are.

3. Use a dental dam:

Dental dams are a form of barrier protection like condoms. This means they protect the person’s genitalia from direct contact with the giver’s mouth and tongue. This is also an excellent way to protect against the spread of STIs, especially in those moments when the sex is unplanned. We have an entire post on dental dams here.

4. Communication is king:

If you’re the one performing oral sex, don’t be afraid to ask your sexual partner questions! More often than not they will know exactly what they want, the speed, the position etc, so asking will benefit everyone involved and remove unnecessary pressure. Consistently re-affirming consent throughout oral sex is a great form of communication, especially if you’re thinking of trying something different with your mouth or tongue, or if you want to incorporate your fingers or a sex toy.

5. Take your time:

There’s no need to rush, remember this is about pleasure not a race to the orgasm finish line. Taking your time will allow you to get in tune with your sexual partner and how their body is responding to what you’re doing.