CATEGORY 1 ~ Male Person with a Penis

CATEGORY 1a: Receiving Oral Sex - Male Person with a Penis

This category is the lowest risk for catching STI’s. It is statistically impossible to catch HIV when receiving oral sex and there are no cases that have been tracked.

Although cases are rare, it is possible to get Chlamydia and Syphilis from someone’s mouth. For circumcised men, chances are even lower. The second study (CATIE), published in 2020 estimated the risk to be 00.10% (or one-tenth-of-one percent - 1 chance in 909 exposures) for circumcised men. For uncircumcised men chances are slightly higher but still very low at 00.62% (1 chance in 161 exposures).

It’s worth noting that Chlamydia and Syphilis are easily treatable. If you have a serious allergy to penicillin, there are alternative antibiotics. One safe and effective alternative is a pill called doxycycline.

CATEGORY 1b: Anal Sex on Top - Male Person with a Penis

This is a very low risk category for catching STI’s. It is statistically zero in that there are almost no cases tracked in the study. The risk is even lower for circumcised men. The first, published in 2019, calculated the risk to be 0.06% (equivalent to one transmission per 1,667 exposures) to contract Hepatitis C, Chlamydia and Syphilis. The risk is even lower for circumcised men although a specific separate study was not performed. This risk is statistically insignificant and is less than one 20th of one percent. It it much more likely, for example, to impregnate a woman while wearing a condom. NOTE: This risk level is only for Anal sex and only on Top

It’s also worth noting that Hepatitis C, Chlamydia and Syphilis are easily treatable which makes this category low risk. Fortunately, there are easy treatment options and most people can be cured with 1-3 weeks of medication. If you have a serious allergy to penicillin, there are alternative antibiotics and private medications.

CATEGORY 1c: Performing Oral Sex - On a Vulva, Front Hole or Anus

This is a medium risk category for catching STI’s as the mouth is an open receptacle that can hold infections for hours or even days. This is the most common source of STI’s on top males or males having sex with women. If you perform oral sex on a vagina or anus it is recommended you use mouthwash immediately after to reduce your risk. These are the most common category transmitted to mouth:

• Chlamydia

• Herpes

• Syphilis

• Gonorrhea

• Trichomoniasis

• Hepatitis B

• HPV (warts)

From the second study, published in 2020 estimated the risk of contraction to be 7.44%. For men with mouth or tongue piercing chances are slightly higher at 9.62%.

Most of these infections are treated with antibiotics. Usually gonorrhea is treated with two antibiotics: one is given as an injection, and the other is an oral medication. If you are prescribed antibiotics, take all of the pills, even if you feel better before you finish the prescription, so the bacteria is completely wiped out.

You should not have sex for one week from when you start antibiotics. If you still have symptoms after you've completed the treatment, it's important to go back to your provider for a checkup.

CATEGORY 2 ~ Female Person with a Vagina

CATEGORY 2a: Receiving Oral Sex - Female Person with a Vagina

This is a medium risk category for catching STI’s as the vagina is an open receptacle that can hold infections for hours or even days. This is a common source of STI’s for females. If you receive oral sex on your vagina or anus it is recommended you wash immediately after to reduce the risk. These are the most common category transmitted to mouth:

• Chlamydia

• Herpes

• Syphilis

• Gonorrhea

• Trichomoniasis

• Hepatitis B

• HPV (warts)

From the second study, published in 2020 estimated the risk of contraction to be 11.12%. The risk is higher for women who have piercings in this area.

Most of these infections are treated with antibiotics. Usually gonorrhea is treated with two antibiotics: one is given as an injection, and the other is an oral medication. If you are prescribed antibiotics, take all of the pills, even if you feel better before you finish the prescription, so the bacteria is completely wiped out.

You should not have sex for one week from when you start antibiotics. If you still have symptoms after you've completed the treatment, it's important to go back to your provider for a checkup.

CATEGORY 2a: Receiving Vagina Sex from a Male Penis - Female Person with a Vagina

Females are at a high risk category for catching STI’s as the vagina is an open receptacle that can hold infections for hours or even days. This is the most common source of STI’s for females. Males are at a much lower risk since a penis is a closed receptacle. These are the most common category transmitted to vagina by penis:

• Chlamydia

• Herpes

• Syphilis

• Gonorrhea

• Trichomoniasis

• Hepatitis B

• HIV

• HPV (warts)

From the second study, published in 2020 estimated the risk of contraction to be 11.12%. The risk is higher for women who have piercings in this area.

Most of these infections are treated with antibiotics. Usually gonorrhea is treated with two antibiotics: one is given as an injection, and the other is an oral medication. If you are prescribed antibiotics, take all of the pills, even if you feel better before you finish the prescription, so the bacteria is completely wiped out. HIV can be treated by PrEP or other means.

You should not have sex for one week from when you start antibiotics. If you still have symptoms after you've completed the treatment, it's important to go back to your provider for a checkup.

CATEGORY 2c: Performing Oral Sex - On a Vulva, Front Hole or Anus

This is a medium risk category for catching STI’s as the mouth is an open receptacle that can hold infections for hours or even days. This is the most common source of STI’s on top males or males having sex with women. If you perform oral sex on a vagina or anus it is recommended you use mouthwash immediately after to reduce your risk. These are the most common category transmitted to mouth:

• Chlamydia

• Herpes

• Syphilis

• Gonorrhea

• Trichomoniasis

• Hepatitis B

• HPV (warts)

From the second study, published in 2020 estimated the risk of contraction to be 7.44%. For men with mouth or tongue piercing chances are slightly higher at 9.62%.

Most of these infections are treated with antibiotics. Usually gonorrhea is treated with two antibiotics: one is given as an injection, and the other is an oral medication. If you are prescribed antibiotics, take all of the pills, even if you feel better before you finish the prescription, so the bacteria is completely wiped out.

You should not have sex for one week from when you start antibiotics. If you still have symptoms after you've completed the treatment, it's important to go back to your provider for a checkup.

CATEGORY 3 - Male or Female Bottom

CATEGORY 3a: Receiving Anal Sex as a Bottom

This is a medium high risk category for catching STI’s as the anus is an open receptacle that can hold infections. Note: there is low or now risk to the top however because a penis is a closed receptacle. These are the most common category transmitted to anus:

• Chlamydia

• Herpes

• Syphilis

• Gonorrhea

• Trichomoniasis

• Hepatitis B

• HIV

• HPV (warts)

From the second study, published in 2020 estimated the risk of contraction to be 6.44% for the bottom.

Most of these infections are treated with antibiotics. Usually gonorrhea is treated with two antibiotics: one is given as an injection, and the other is an oral medication. If you are prescribed antibiotics, take all of the pills, even if you feel better before you finish the prescription, so the bacteria is completely wiped out.

You should not have sex for one week from when you start antibiotics. If you still have symptoms after you've completed the treatment, it's important to go back to your provider for a checkup.

Click Here to research other categories.