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Could I Get an Infection From Fingering or Oral Sex?

I'm a virgin, but my boyfriend fingers me and gives me oral sex. For a couple of weeks, my vagina has been itchy and red, and it hurts when I touch it. What's going on?

Friction and pressure from fingering or oral sex can cause irritation in the sensitive genital area. But itching and redness that lasts for a couple of weeks also could be a sign of an infection that could get worse if it isn't treated. So you should get checked out by a doctor or nurse practitioner . Tell them about your itching and discomfort. Girls can have vaginal infections for all sorts of reasons that have nothing to do with sexual contact — such as stress, for example.

Even if you're not having intercourse, fingering and oral sex can lead to infection. Ask your boyfriend to wash his hands before touching your genitals. And if either of you has a cold sore, don't have oral sex. The virus that causes cold sores can transfer to the genitals and become genital herpes. You also could ask him to use finger condoms (also called finger cots).

To avoid STDs (and pregnancy, if you do start having sex) always use a condom. Whenever you get oral sex, your partner should use a dental dam. When you give your partner oral sex, he should wear a latex condom — or, if either of you are allergic to latex, a polyurethane condom. Also, there are flavored condoms made specifically for oral sex.

Reviewed by: Amy W. Anzilotti, MD
Date Reviewed: Oct 8, 2018

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