Oral sex, HPV and how only girls are protected (for now)

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 In the words of Salt ‘N’ Pepa, let’s talk about sex, baby.

According to a survey, the average number of sexual partners in a lifetime is 7.7 for women, and, perhaps not surprisingly, 11.7 for men. This is only an average of course, and there are some people (I’m thinking anyone who has visited Sunny Beach for a week) who are significantly higher. Twenty years earlier, this was only 3.7 for women and 8.6 for men. Our attitudes to sex are changing with the times, and while this might make for some serious time in pleasure town, it also has its ramifications.

In 2008, the cervical cancer jab for girls aged 12-13 was introduced to protect against the second most common cancer in women under 35. What you may not know is that the jab is called the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, and it does more than protect against cervical cancer.

The HPV virus is responsible for genital warts, some STIs, anal and penile cancer, but of more concern to the sexually-liberal ones among us, it’s responsible for one of the few cancers on the rise.

When Michael Douglas told the world his cancer was HPV-related, it immediately set alarm bells off in newsrooms around the world. It wasn’t because of a ‘cancer lottery’, it was because of something more touching. And by touching I don’t mean a heartfelt tale of woe, despair and triumph, I mean mouth-to-second-lady-lips-touching.

Yes. that’s right. His oral cancer was caused by oral.

Cases of oral cancer have doubled in the last 30 years, coinciding with the rise of HPV, and strengthen the argument that there is not enough awareness of the risks we take when we're thinking about who to take home. Not to pigeon-hole our friends from across the pond, but the lack of knowledge (and promiscuity) is reflected in the fact almost EVERY OTHER WHITE WOMAN UNDER THE AGE OF 25 had the HPV virus.

In the UK one in five cases of oral cancer are associated with this virus, yet the general awareness surrounding it still comes up woefully short. Experts predict HPV will be the leading cause of oral cancer in a decade, predominantly because of this very subject. More than one in five men in the UK are under the impression HPV can be transmitted like man flu, which speaks volumes for just how little we know about HPV, as well as how dumb boys are.

It isn’t all their fault though. The vaccine for girls protects them from a range of diseases and cancers, but what about the boys? What if they want to send YOU to pleasure town? After all, they aren’t protected, and you are.

The HPV jab for boys has yet to be commissioned by the Government. Until it is, boys will be at greater risk of developing some of the nasties we’ve previously mentioned than the fairer sex. Does that put you off going down on him? Does it put you off going the whole nine yards without the safety net of Durex’s finest? Should it make you think twice about letting him head south?

These are all very valid questions. Let’s be honest, it’s a passion killer to ask him to pop a condom on his tongue, or for him to pop one on his Viking.

So what are our options?

Well, limiting the number of partners we have is a start. There is no shame in only ever having one partner, so don’t be afraid to tell him. You could also ask him about the number of partners he has had. His answer should give you an idea of how your sex life can pan out. Finally, you could always pop along to the clinic with him. If you’re serious about the relationship but not 100% comfortable with his Lothario past, pluck up the courage and ask. But at the end of the day, it really is up to you.

Ladies, we want you to tell us about your experiences. Are you unsure of your man’s history and don’t fancy bringing it up? Or have you approached him and things haven’t quite gone to plan? Get in touch (use the anon feature if you’re scared!)