Can Oral Sex Cause Throat Cancer?

You don't need me to tell you about all the good stuff that comes from oral sex. Between the orgasms and endorphins, you're probably already very familiar with the more common oral-sex benefits. But like most great things in life, there's unfortunately still some risk that comes from cunnilingus and blow jobs.

In addition to STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes, which can all be transmitted via oral sex, some medical professionals claim oral sex is now the number one risk factor for throat cancer. In one video on TikTok, London-based doctor Sermed Mezher, MD, says this is because of the human papilloma virus, better known as HPV.

"Some people are vaccinated against these strains, but because of more liberal sexual habits, these viruses are getting passed around more than they were historically," he says. "Be careful out there and use barrier protection, especially with new partners."

While you should absolutely prioritize safe sex and only engage in activities that you and your partner(s) feel comfortable with, saying oral sex is the leading cause of throat cancer because of "more liberal sexual habits" risks shaming people for having sex — and that's not the answer. Instead, educating yourself about the risk so you can be more prepared and knowledgeable about oral sex is the key.

So to fact check whether oral sex can actually cause throat cancer, we spoke with Jennifer Anger, MD, coauthor of "A Woman's Guide to Her Pelvic Floor: What the F*@# Is Going On Down There?," who answered the question searched on Google more than 1,300 times a month: "can oral sex cause throat cancer?"

Yes, oral sex can cause throat cancer, Dr. Anger says. "Although smoking (and chewing tobacco) are still considered the top risk factors for throat cancer, HPV infection (which spreads through sex, including oral sex) is responsible for a large proportion of throat cancers."

For some background on HPV: HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the US, "spread through skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, and oral sex," Dr. Anger says. While there are more than 100 types of HPV, according to the FDA, "about 40 types can spread through sexual contact, including oral sex," Dr. Anger says.

But just because you have HPV doesn't mean you're going to get throat cancer.

"About 80 percent of sexually active people will have HPV at some point, and most will clear the infection on their own, Sangini Sheth, MD, associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at the Yale School of Public Health, previously told POPSUGAR.

In fact, as reported in the previously referenced article, "the vast majority of people with HPV will not get cancer" at all.

For context, there are 14 high-risk types of HPV, according to the National Cancer Institute. And "if you're infected with one of these types and your immune system doesn't fight it off within two years, the virus can turn normal cells in your body into precancerous cells. If those mutated cells aren't removed in time, they can become cancerous," as stated in a previous POPSUGAR article.

For this reason, it's still important to educate yourself on the risks of oral sex and HPV, even if the likelihood of getting throat cancer (or other cancer) is low.

Fortunately, there is an HPV vaccine that can offer protection against contracting HPV. But as Dr. Anger notes, the vaccine is recommended for children before they are old enough to have sex. "It ideally is given before the onset of sexual activity, and it is actually given to children ages 9-11."

That said, if you have not gotten the HPV vaccine, it's still recommended by Dr. Anger — even if you have already become sexually active and are older than age 9-11. "Since there are so many types of HPV, you can still be protected against many types even if you have already been exposed to some types."

For other protection methods during oral sex, Dr. Anger recommends using condoms and/or dental dams during oral sex to prevent the spread of HPV or other STIs. You can also focus on other forms of sexual pleasure with your partner that don't involve touching each other, like mutual masturbation, for example. Or you can invest in a pair of Lorals, which are wearable dental dams that look and feel like ultra-stretchy and comfortable underwear.

Of course, this information is not meant to scare you or deter you from engaging in oral sex. But by learning about the risks and preventative methods you can take, you allow yourself to be in control of the type of sex you want to have. And as we know by now, safe sex is the best — and only — kind of sex you should be having.