Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Question
Published: November 25, 2003
Dear TeenHealthFX,
My girlfriend wants to swallow my semen, but I have chlamydia. Tomorrow I am getting medicine for it, but she wants to do this tonight. Can she catch it from my by swallowing? Or does it have to be through vaginal sex?
Signed: Chlamydia From Swallowing Semen
Dear Chlamydia From Swallowing Semen,
There is a very slight chance that your girlfriend can get Chlamydia from swallowing your semen during oral sex, though it is pretty unlikely and definitely less likely than getting it through vaginal sex. However, it's important to remember that unprotected oral sex puts your partner at risk for contracting other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like gonorrhea, syphilis, cancroids, herpes, hepatitis B and HIV. Some of these diseases do not have any symptoms in the early stages when they are most treatable, and unfortunately, some of them cannot be cured. If you haven't already, it's a good idea for you to get a complete STD screen done by your doctor or a teen health center, as having one STD puts you at risk for having multiple ones and you don't want to be passing anything on to your girlfriend.
Even though Chlamydia can be treated with antibiotics, some of the other STDs cannot be cured, so it's important for you to practice safer oral sex in the future and if you decide to engage in vaginal sex, you need to do it safely as well.
It might be a good idea for you and your girlfriend to both have complete STD screens done depending on your past sexual histories and whether or not either of you have ever engaged in unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex, just to make sure that neither of you are carrying any other STDs that need to be treated. If you want, you can go to a teen health center where they can see you without your parent's permission and on a low/no cost basis. If you live in Northern New Jersey, please call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center For Health for an appointment at (973) 971.6475. In all other areas, please call your local Planned Parenthood.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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