Oral sex may not be right for everyone, but you may be surprised to hear that there can be some health benefits of oral sex for a woman – whether she’s on the giving or receiving end.
There can be differing opinions on oral sex for a woman. For instance, many years ago, while sitting in a church service after a weeklong conference on sex and intimacy, the pastor and his wife spoke about oral sex, saying it was inappropriate. The pastor said, “As for me and my house, even married, my wife and I don’t do it.”
Out of nowhere, his mother-in-law, who was easily in her 70s at the time, said, “Well, that’s you and your house.”
Please pardon the pun but, “Let the church say … AMEN.”
The bottom line about oral sex is it is up to you and your partner whether you partake. If you’re unsure if the act is for you, it might help to look deeper into the benefits. For instance, along with serving as an act of intimacy and a way to spice up your relationship, there can also be surprising health benefits of oral sex.
Not convinced? Let’s dive in (no pun intended).
More from CafeMom: 10 Tips for Rediscovering Your Sexuality After Having Kids
Receiving: Oral Sex Makes Orgasm Easier
Studies show that although men reliably orgasm from penis-in-vagina sex, only 21-30% of women do. Add in some clitoral stimulation to that intercourse, however, and the number bumps up to as high as 60%.
Cunnilingus or oral sex for a woman can help her to orgasm much easier because it provides direct clitoral stimulation.
And orgasms for a woman come with a variety of health benefits. For instance, a woman’s orgasm can:
- Reduce stress levels
- Increase intimacy with a partner
- Boost immunity
- Decrease pain levels
- Improve sleep quality
- Increase productivity
That being said, while orgasm is great and oral sex can help a woman get there, no one should assume that just putting their mouth on their partner’s private parts will automatically lead to orgasm.
So, make sure to communicate with your partner about what your needs are and take things one step at a time.
Giving: Sperm Contains Nutrients
Now for fellatio, oral sex that a man receives. The overall assumption is that all men love oral sex, but it’s reported that 1 in 4 men fake orgasms, too, so as always, be sure to communicate with your partner first.
If that blowjob is greenlit, you may be happy to know that sperm has a surprising number of nutrients in it.
For starters, the protein levels in sperm and semen (the fluid that carries sperm) are high. Sperm also contains nutrients such as:
- Zinc
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Calcium
- Fructose
- Amino acids
Although you can certainly get these nutrients elsewhere, doesn’t the thought of receiving them during oral sex sound a whole lot more fun?
Receiving: Oral Sex Reduces Stress
Stress has been called a modern-day epidemic, with many people experiencing post-pandemic trauma, illnesses, and worry over things such as money, work, and relationships.
Add in everyday worries like bills, hectic schedules, kids and their needs, and relationships outside of the home, and it’s no wonder we are all stressed.
Fortunately, there is a free antidote to stress and that’s an orgasm. Whenever you orgasm, your body releases the natural hormone oxytocin. Oxytocin is often called the “love hormone” because it increases feelings of bonding and love. It also helps to decrease your stress levels.
The less stressed you are, the calmer you become and the easier it is to handle all potential stresses headed your way. (Which might be an argument for the benefit of morning sex sessions!)
Giving: It Can Do Wonders for Your Moods
Ever heard of the song “Breathe” by R&B artist Raheem DeVaughn? The song starts with the lyrics “The ultimate pleasure is giving pleasure” – and I couldn’t agree more.
Ask any couple who has a consistently fulfilling sex life and you’ll most likely hear that one of their secrets is finding satisfaction in pleasing each other. In other words, sex can be more than just about your needs; it’s also about meeting your partner’s.
Making your partner feel good can make you feel good.
This is true from a biological level as well, thanks to dopamine, another natural hormone that’s released during sex and climaxing.
Dopamine is what helps your body to experience feelings of desire and pleasure. It also boosts motivation and satisfaction levels.
Receiving: Oral Sex May Come With Health Benefits
Sperm contains nutrients, like vitamins and minerals, because it has a job to perform. After ejaculation, those little swimmers have a long way to travel to reach a potential egg, so they’re powered for the long haul.
As a result, there are claims that sperm can help:
- Boost cognitive function
- Reduce hair loss
- Whiten teeth
- Keep skin looking younger
- Decrease anxiety and lower depression-related symptoms
- Improve mood
- Increase longevity
- Sleep easier and for longer periods of time
That being said, these are really just claims and no true health benefits of consuming or using sperm have been found. But still, the potential is there and it’s fun to imagine, right?
As always, if there is any risk with your partner, use protection with oral sex to avoid the risk of a sexually transmitted infection.
Giving: It’s Great for Your Tongue, Jaw, and Neck (No Joke)
Did you know that mouth and tongue exercises can help improve mild cases of snoring?
Adding to that, when you don’t exercise your jaw, it can lead to a less defined jawline, which could affect your appearance and in some cases, function.
Yes, there are tongue and jaw exercises you can do to keep both parts of your body in shape. But if you’re down for being a giver (wink), you won’t need to do them nearly as much because fellatio requires that your tongue and jaws get in on the action.
Receiving for Him: A Woman’s Fluids Are Probiotic
Aside from the fact that enjoying being a giver as much as a receiver is one of the key points to being a great lover, many men don’t know that female fluids can be a probiotic.
In fact, there are as many as 100,000 to 100 million Lactobacillus cells per gram of vaginal fluid. And because Lactobacillus is considered a probiotic, or a good bacteria, you could venture that it could have health benefit potential.
For instance, probiotics can do everything from protect gut health and boost immunity to improve one’s mood, strengthen one’s heart, and even fight against skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
So it might be safe to say that it can only do your husband’s body good to, well, do your body good. Let him know that as soon as he gets home tonight, OK?
Shellie R. Warren is a marriage life coach, doula, and the author of Inside of Me: Lessons of Lust, Love, and Redemption.
