BBBJ's are a high STD risk, even if not for HIV.

It is better to receive than to give. The "giver" (usually the women) has vastly higher STD risks than the receiver (usually the man) BBBJ often desired by men is high risk for the women. But men can also get STD's from oral sex and DATY.

In the U.S., Canada and most of the world, HIV never has been much of a risk for heterosexual males or their female partners, as long as the women is sure the male is not bisexual, or a iv drug user, since those are the only real risks for men.

But other STD's are a much more real issue. STD's are on increase at same time HIV/AIDS is declining. We are having lots of unprotected sex, especially oral sex. While AIDS is very isolated to certain risk groups, STD's are the real issue for the majority of the population.

Most other STD's other than Herpes, are fairly easy to cure IF you know you have it. Risk is higher for women if it goes undetected and men can pass it on to women not knowing they have an STD.

For blood borne STD's (including HIV) vaginal sex and anal sex is high risk since thrusting can cause a tear on penis or vagina. This can create an open wound which allows semen or vaginal fluid to enter the blood stream. A tear from thrusting, bodily fluid mixing with blood are the STD major risks. Anal sex is especially risky if the insertive partner is HIV infected since easy access to blood sources. But heterosexual males act as a block to HIV spread since they are usually not the receptive partner, or they would be bi or gay.

Herpes can be passed by skin contact and infection although mostly when a person is having an active outbreak. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes herpes. This virus has two types, HSV 1 and HSV 2. HSV 1 (oral herpes) usually causes infections on the lips or mouth (cold sores or fever blisters). HSV 2 (genital herpes) usually causes sores and blisters in the genital area. However, virus from the mouth can infect the genitals and virus from the genitals can infect the mouth. Herpes virus can also infect other parts of the body.

Nasty Gonorrhea is spread between penis and vagina (infection rate for males 30-50%, females 60-90%), penis to mouth, penis to rectum, mouth to vagina. The same with chlamydia which lives in vaginal fluid and in semen. Chlamydia is sometimes called the ?silent? disease because you can have it and not know it. Can have serious complications in women if not treated.

Hepatitis B is a real concern for everyone since often you don't have any symptoms until there is serious liver damage. Hepatitis B is very contagious. Often it is at a subclinical level, with no symptoms but still contagious by saliva and most all body fluids. Everyone should get a Hepatitis B vaccine which consists of an initial shot and two follow-up shots. The cost should be about $150-$160 for the vaccine plus whatever the Dr. charges. But it is well worth it. The vaccine is about 70% effective. If the other 30% contract Hepatitis B, they usually will get a very mild case. Even more dangerous is the Delta strain. But it is usually only a risk if you also have Hepatitis B.

Women should get a pap smear every 6-12 months. This is vitally important, not only for STD's but for cervical cancer. The good news is that cervical cancer is very slow to grow, taking 8 years before it becomes very dangerous.

Women should also have a speculum and examine herself frequently. Many STD's, yeast infections etc. are easily seen. If you aren't totally "pink" see your doctor.

I was first introduced to speculums and the beauty of the female vagina many years ago at the Stan Dale workshops, but at that time they were controlled medical supplies that only a physician could obtain. I was thrilled to learn they are now readily available. I asked where, and someone suggested that many bondage supply exhibitors at the swing conventions had them. Yep, I brought home, from the Lifestyles Convention, both a metal and plastic version...now just need a woman to learn with. They don't look very vagina-friendly...those big tongs going in....but I'm told they aren't that bad to insert.

Looking at a vagina with a speculum can be very educational and new respect for the beauty of the organ. How many women have even seen inside their vaginas, how pink they are, different structures if you have had surgeries etc. Hard for a women to see her own without being a pretzel. Can do it with a mirror more easily.

Other Protections Options
Since BBBJs are common, those that indulge,  should do what they can to minimize the risk to them and the sexwork community. From mdderma.com:

Does washing after sex help to prevent STD?
Theoretically, yes. Soap and water can inactivate or at least wash away STD germs before they have had a chance to enter the body. However, douching is not advisable. Some doctors feel that douching upsets the normal vagina environment and makes it easier for germs to establish themselves. Douching may also push germs further up the vagina and increase the risk of infection.

 Does urinating after sex help prevent STD?
Urinating is useful in the male because the urine may help flush away any STD germs that have not penetrated the lining of the urethra (urine pipe). It is less useful in women because infection usually occurs inside the vagina and urine does not flush this area.

Yes it is easier to be a guy, but remember to do what your mommies told you. Take a pee and wash up as soon as you can.

Nonoxynol 9
I remember the days when Nonoxynol 9 was the accepted protection method against HIV and other STD's because in a test tube it killed the HIV and other STD's.  Even baby wipes had it and at Stan Dale Workshops it was promoted as the most effective way to kill HIV and STD's.

BUT by the mid 90's medical data was showing in real life (not just a test tube) it actually increased the HIV risk in women by causing small disruptions in the vaginal cell wall.  In studies released staring in 1998 (Roddy et al.) and in 2000 (Van Damme) and in 2002( ( Roddy et al.) results showed no protection against common bacterial STD's such as gonorrhea and chlamydia. As a result the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization concluded that Nonoxynol 9 products should not be promoted for STD protection.

Today Nonoxynol 9 is back to its original use - as an active ingredient in most over-the-counter birth control products for women with low HIV risk in the U.S. and Canada.  Nonoxynol 9 works well as a contraceptive because it disrupts the sperms outer membrane, thereby deactivating it.

Evidence suggests that it is safe for women at low risk of HIV to continue to use spermicides containing N-9 for birth control purposes. Women who may be at risk of HIV and who plan to use the product more than once a day should consider switching to another form of birth control.

Apparently, the irritating effects of N-9 are dependent on dose and frequency of product use. Studies that have looked specifically at vaginal irritation have demonstrated that epithelial disruption is related to the frequency of product use, with lower dose products (52-150 mg.) causing little or no disruption when used once a day or less (Niruthisard 1992; Roddy 1993; Stevens et al. 1996).

Surprisingly, the sensation of "irritation" does not correlate well with actual microscopic or laboratory evidence of epithelial disruption. Thus, not all women who experience "irritation" actually have epithelial disruption or inflammation. Likewise, a woman may have lesions or disruption but not experience a sensation of irritation.
Source: http://www.global-campaign.org/whatsup_with_n9.htm updated 10/18/05

As a Provider in Phoenix said:
I agree this BBBJ phenomenon has got to end. I know you gents love it, but when are you going to wake up and realize you can catch numberous STD's? There are several ways to have fun and be safe. I know you just can't stand the condoms, but I just can't see how you would want to be part of a vicious circle of spreading these diseases.

I had a client come to me this year with a very terrible story. He had been with his wife for 5 years, married for three and completely faithful. The last year the marriage was falling apart and they stopped having sex. After the divorce he decided to see a provider at the recommendation of a friend. So he makes an appointment with a well reviewed provider and low and behold 3-5 days and a BBBJ later he has some major uhh issues down there. He goes to the doc and low and behold Gonnorhea! OUCH! First blow job in over a year and he gets left with a very sticky memory and a dose of antibiotics and a DR Bill. Talk about a horror story! My point is wouldn't you rather be safe than sorry?
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You should also be aware of Human Papilloma Virus. Or other wise known as HPV or genital warts. Not a pleasant topic but one that should be known to hobbyists and providers alike. There is more info on how it is contracted and how to avoid contracting it at (my favorite website lol) http://www.ppnyc.org/facts/facts/stds.html
This is a great site for all types of info on STDs.

Cover Story USA Today
Welcome to the US with STD rates 50 to 100 times greater than those of any industrialized nation.

Experts say much of the blame rests on a contradictory attitude toward sex. "It seems to be easier for Americans to engage in sex than to talk about it," says Dorothy Mann, executive director of the Family Planning Council of Philadelphia.

The article talks about the huge rise in chlamydia, herpes etc while at the same time new cases of AIDS are in a steady long-term decline. It also points out that women are disproportionately effected by STD's and while they are not as prevalent in men and often don't cause any major health problems they are much more serious if undetected in women. Long-term STD prevention will require a sexual revolution - based on frank discussion of sexuality.

Another article that I now wished I had saved talked about the studies in high schools that had frank sex discussions and availability of condoms and those that did not. The results were clear - honest discussion about sex and using condoms did not result in more teenagers having sex, but resulted in a dramatic decrease in STDs' among students who had honest sex education and for whom condoms were made available.

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