QUESTION
I’m thinking of swallowing the cum of my she-male lover when I give her oral sex. Am I at risk in any way? I am a male. If we both had a check for STDs beforehand and came out all clear would this help?

ANSWER
Yes. Getting tested for both HIV and other STDs beforehand would be extremely helpful—if mutually monogamous (neither partner has other partners) partners test negative for syphilis, HIV, herpes, chlamydia and gonorrhea, there is no risk of spreading those infections. Some infections are spread through the ejaculate (HIV and hepatitis B) but in others, swallowing or not does not matter (gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis and herpes) because the germs are on the skin of the penis or inside the urethra (opening of the penis) and can spread during oral sex.

We found that some men who give oral-penile sex to other men, do have throat infections and do not know it. Regular screening of the throat for gonorrhea and chlamydia is recommended for men who perform oral sex with more than one partner.

In general, the risks from oral sex are much lower than anal sex but can include herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. See a similar question: http://www.sfcityclinic.org/drk/stdprevention42.asp.

To your health,
Dr. K