In Ghana, discussions on sexual health often focus narrowly on pregnancy prevention and penetrative sex, leaving other intimate practices largely overlooked. This silence has fostered a risky assumption that certain sexual acts carry no health consequences—an assumption contradicted by evidence. Increasingly, oral sex has become a common fantasy, with many men desiring it from female partners and many women seeking it from male partners, primarily for sexual gratification.
But is this practice without concern? For some, sexual pleasure feels most natural through penetration, while other forms may seem unconventional. Beyond personal perspectives, however, there is a pressing need to examine oral sex—commonly referred to as “blow job” and “licking”—through the lens of public health, responsibility, and long-term implications.
This need is particularly urgent in Ghana, where cultural stigma, limited access to routine testing, and restrictive norms often make open, honest conversations about sexual practices difficult to pursue
Acts involving oral contact with another person’s genitals are often discussed casually and presented as harmless substitutes for penetrative sex. Yet, medical evidence consistently shows that they carry risks similar to vaginal or anal intercourse. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that oral sex can transmit sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis, herpes (HSV-1 and HSV-2), and human papillomavirus (HPV). While HIV transmission through oral sex is considered rare and far less likely than through unprotected vaginal or anal sex, the risk is not zero.
Doctor of Pharmacy, Dr. George Anagli, emphasises that oral sex should not be mistaken as risk-free. He explains that infections can still spread through oral contact, particularly when cuts, sores, gum disease, or existing infections are present in the mouth or throat. As he puts it, oral sex is “lower-risk sex, not no-risk sex”—a distinction many people overlook.
A major concern is that many of these infections do not always present visible symptoms, particularly in the throat. A person may be infected, feel completely fine, and still pass it on without knowing. Throat infections such as gonorrhoea can also be harder to detect and treat, allowing silent transmission to continue.
Dr. George confirms this from clinical experience, noting that most patients do not suspect oral sex as a possible source of infection. Many are surprised when they test positive for throat-based infections and learn that oral sex is the likely route. While some infections may cause sore throat, pain, or discomfort, he notes that many cases present no symptoms at all, making undetected spread far more likely.
Importantly, these practices are not foreign to Ghanaian society. A peer-reviewed study among women working in food and recreational facilities in Ghana found that 42.3 per cent reported ever engaging in oral sex. This challenges the assumption that such acts are rare or confined to “other cultures” and reinforces the need for open, context-specific conversations grounded in local realities.
These behaviours are also not limited to adults. A study among senior high school student athletes in the Upper East Region reported that about 12 per cent had engaged in oral sexual activity. While this was a specific sample and broader youth prevalence may vary, cultural taboos around sex suggest under-reporting is likely. Younger people are often less informed about sexual health risks, less likely to seek testing, and more vulnerable to long-term consequences if infections go undetected, especially in areas with limited healthcare access.
Several myths continue to shape how people approach oral sex.
One common misconception is that oral sex qualifies as “safe sex.” Medical evidence and clinical experience confirm that although the risks are lower compared to penetrative intercourse, they remain significant. Another mistaken belief is that the absence of penetration eliminates the possibility of infection. In reality, pathogens can be transmitted through the mouth, throat, and even minor cuts or sores. A further myth is that only people with multiple partners are at risk. The truth is that anyone who is sexually active—including those in committed relationships—can be exposed.
Correcting these misconceptions is not about fear; it is about accuracy.
Beyond infection transmission, there are immediate physical risks that are rarely discussed openly. Ejaculation coming into contact with the eyes, for instance, can cause irritation or infection from bodily fluids, even though such cases are relatively uncommon. These examples highlight a broader point: oral acts expose sensitive body parts not biologically designed for such contact to potential harm.
According to Dr. George, the long-term consequences of untreated oral STIs can be serious. These include spreading infections to sexual partners, persistent infection in the body, increased risk of HIV transmission, and complications such as infertility, particularly with chlamydia and gonorrhoea. He also points out that some strains of HPV are linked to cancers of the throat, making early detection and prevention critical.
The ripple effects of engaging without caution extend beyond the physical. They include the silent spread of infections driven by the misconception that oral contact is “safe sex”; emotional distress and mistrust when partners later discover health issues they were unaware of; and relationship strain arising from pressure, regret, or the absence of informed consent. These consequences often last far longer than the momentary pleasure that preceded them.
There is also an important conversation to be had about consent and power dynamics. In some relationships, oral sex is expected rather than discussed, leaving partners, often women, feeling obligated rather than willing. True consent requires information, choice, and the freedom to say no without fear of conflict, guilt, or judgment. When silence replaces conversation, consent becomes blurred.
International health authorities, including the CDC, emphasise that no sexual activity is entirely risk-free. However, risks can be significantly reduced. Dr. George advises avoiding sexual activity when there are sores or infections in the mouth or genitals, maintaining good oral health, and seeking medical attention early when unusual symptoms appear. He also stresses the importance of regular STI testing, especially for people with multiple partners, as well as the use of protection such as condoms and dental dams during oral sex. HPV vaccination, he adds, remains an important but underutilised preventive tool.
In Ghana, persistent stigma means routine screening is often overlooked, and access to protective measures or private testing remains limited. Nonetheless, STI testing and counselling services are available at teaching hospitals, selected Ghana Health Service centres, and private clinics. Expanding throat-based screening and normalising its request should be treated as a national priority.
This discussion is not about promoting or condemning oral sex practices such as fellatio or cunnilingus. Rather, it is about acknowledging their presence in society, recognising the evidence of potential consequences, and calling for greater responsibility. Every sexual act carries possible outcomes. Making informed choices requires more than desire—it demands awareness, honesty, mutual respect, and caution.
REFERENCES
Doctor of Pharmacy with Top Up Pharmacy, Dr. George Anagli .
Agbemenu, K., et al. 2019. “Oral sex practices and associated factors among women at high risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infections in Ghana.” Reproductive Health 16 (72). https://reproductive-health-journal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12978-019-0722-9
Alhassan, R. K., et al. 2016. “Sexual behaviour and health risk among senior high school student athletes in Ghana.” Sports 3 (1): 3. https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5118/3/1/3
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. n.d. “About STI risk and oral sex.” https://www.cdc.gov/sti/about/about-sti-risk-and-oral-sex.html
Source: Jeffrey Annan
