All Types of Sexual Activity Carry Some STD Risk

September 9, 2008

CDC 9-8-08

UNITED STATES: " All Types of Sexual Activity Carry Some STD Risk "

Reuters (09.02.08)

An expert panel of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

(ACOG) is advising doctors to have frank discussions with patients about all of

their sexual activities and counsel them on STD risks.

Many people engage in " noncoital " sexual activities such as oral sex, anal sex,

and mutual masturbation to limit their risk of STDs and prevent pregnancy, the

experts noted. But all of these activities carry some degree of STD risk.

" Noncoital sexual activity is not necessarily 'safe sex,' " said Dr.

Guido and colleagues in the report. While oral sex is generally safer than

vaginal or anal sex, the panel said, the viruses that cause genital herpes,

genital warts, and hepatitis can all be transmitted through oral sex. The same

is true of bacterial STDs like syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.

Receptive anal sex carries the highest risk of HIV transmission, followed by

receptive vaginal sex, according to ACOG. However, there have been HIV cases

linked to oral sex.

While talking about sexual activities and their corresponding risks " is a

sensitive issue to address for both patients and physicians, it's important to

discuss sexuality frankly and without judgment so that we can help our patients

fully protect themselves against STDs, " the report said.

" Correct and consistent " condom use for all types of sexual activity should be

stressed, but especially for vaginal and anal sex. Staying in a mutually

monogamous relationship and getting tested for STDs before starting a new

relationship are other ways to limit exposure. Another precaution is to clean

sex toys between uses, the panel said.

The authors recommend that all sexually active women age 25 or younger be

screened for chlamydia annually, while all sexually active teenagers be tested

for gonorrhea. The panel said lesbians should be screened on the same basis as

heterosexual women. " Most lesbians have been sexually active with men at some

point, " said Guido. " Even without this sexual history, there are some STDs that

can be transmitted between two women during sexual activity. "

The report, " Addressing Health Risks of Noncoital Sexual Activity, " was

published in the Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology (2008;112(417):735-737).

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