Should I swallow vaginal fluid during oral sex?

This article was first published on 08/09/2023. Last updated 27/06/2025.

At Better2Know, we talk to all sorts of people who are worried about STIs. One topic that frequently comes up during our consultations is the concern surrounding vaginal fluids. Many people wonder how safe these substances are and how they should interact with them during sex.

In this blog, we’ll look at what vaginal fluid is and whether you should worry about STIs.

If you want to protect your sexual health, keep reading!

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What is vaginal fluid?

Let’s start with the basics: what is vaginal fluid?

Is swallowing vaginal discharge dangerous?

In general, swallowing vaginal fluids during sex is nothing to worry about. Vaginal fluids are completely natural and there is no need to be afraid of them.

However, no matter what kind of sexual intercourse you are having, there is always a risk of STIs.

What about STIs?

STIs, or sexually transmitted infections, are infections that tend to be spread through sexual intercourse. However, full intercourse isn’t required for someone to get an STI. You can get an STI in all sorts of ways, from anal sex and oral sex to sharing sex toys and needles.

Vaginal fluids, in a person infected with an STI, may be contaminated with viruses and bacteria that could be transferred to a sexual partner.

Your throat contains a mucous membrane that is very vulnerable to infection. If you ingest infected vaginal fluids, you will be at risk of getting an STI.

Vaginal fluids are secretions discharged by the vagina during arousal and orgasm. The cervix and vagina produce these vaginal secretions to help with lubrication during intercourse. These fluids can vary in texture, colour, and scent depending on a range of factors such as menstrual cycle, hydration levels, and diet.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a common STI caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It often doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms, which means many people may not realise they have it. When symptoms do occur, they can include unusual discharge, burning during urination, and pain in the lower abdomen or genitals. If left untreated, Chlamydia can lead to serious health issues, including infertility.

Symptoms of Chlamydia in the Throat:

Sore throat: This is a common symptom, but can be mild and mistaken for a cold or other viral infection.
Redness in the mouth or throat: This can be a sign of inflammation.
White spots on the tonsils: These can appear similar to strep throat.
Swollen lymph nodes: Swollen glands in the neck can be another indicator.
Cough: A persistent cough may also be present.
Difficulty swallowing: Some individuals may experience discomfort while swallowing.
Mouth sores or blisters: These may resemble cold sores.
Low-grade fever: A slight fever may also accompany the infection.

You can get Chlamydia from oral sex if you come into contact with the bacteria through the penis, vagina, or rectum of an infected person. For example, if you perform oral sex on a partner who has Chlamydia in their genitals, the bacteria can be transmitted to you.

Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It can affect various parts of the body, including the genitals, rectum, throat, and eyes. Many people don’t experience symptoms, but when they do, they might notice:

Pain or burning when urinating
Unusual discharge from the penis or vagina
Sore throat (if the throat is infected)
Pain or discomfort in the rectum (if the rectum is infected)

Transmission through oral sex can occur when someone performs oral sex on a partner who has Gonorrhoea in their genitals or anus. The bacteria can infect the throat without causing symptoms, making it easy to pass on unknowingly.

Symptoms of throat Gonorrhoea:

Sore throat: A persistent sore throat is a common symptom, but it can be mild and similar to other throat irritations.
Swollen lymph nodes: Swollen lymph nodes in the neck can be a sign of infection.
Difficulty swallowing: Some individuals may experience difficulty swallowing, although this is not always present.
Redness or swelling in the throat: The throat may appear red and swollen as a result of the infection.
Other symptoms: In some cases, fever or high temperature may also occur.

Herpes

Herpes is a common viral infection caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), which comes in two main types:

HSV-1: Often causes cold sores around the mouth but can also cause genital Herpes.
HSV-2: Typically causes genital Herpes but can also infect the mouth and throat.

Transmission through oral sex can happen in either direction. Performing oral sex on someone with a genital Herpes infection may make you susceptible to getting cold sores in and around your mouth.

HPV

HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is a very common group of viruses that affect the skin and mucous membranes. There are over 200 types of HPV, and while most don’t cause problems, some can lead to Genital Warts or certain types of cancer, including cervical, anal, penile, and some head and neck cancers.

HPV spreads through skin-to-skin contact, including oral, vaginal, and anal sex. You can contract HPV in the mouth or throat if you perform oral sex on someone who has the virus in their genital area. This is known as oral HPV, and while it often causes no symptoms, it can sometimes lead to mouth or throat cancers.

HPV can be passed on even when the infected person has no symptoms, and it’s possible to carry the virus for years without knowing it.

Syphilis

Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It develops in stages—primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary—and can cause serious health problems if left untreated. Early symptoms may include:

Painless sores (chancres) on the genitals, anus, or mouth
Skin rashes, especially on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet
Flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and swollen glands
White patches in the mouth or wart-like growths around the genitals or anus

Syphilis can spread through direct contact with a Syphilitic sore, which can appear on the genitals, anus, lips, or inside the mouth. You can also get it during normal sexual activities, like vaginal sex, anal sex, and oral sex, even if a sore isn’t present. If you perform oral sex on someone who is infected with Syphilis, you can get it yourself. Likewise, if someone has a sore in their mouth and performs oral sex, they can transmit the infection to their partner.

What about other infections?

STIs aren’t the only infections you can get from eating vaginal fluid.

Yeast infections

While not an STI, a yeast infection can be transmitted during oral sex.

Yeast infections are caused by Candida bacteria, which live naturally on most people’s genitals. When they overgrow, they can cause a yeast infection. These infections tend to be caused by stress, hormone imbalances, antibiotics, pregnancy, and irritants like douches, soaps, deodorants, and spermicides.

It’s possible to get a yeast infection in your throat if you ingest vaginal discharge from someone who has a yeast infection. Such an infection can usually be cured with medication.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

One exception to all these infections is UTIs. The bacteria that cause UTIs don’t typically cause throat or mouth infections, so performing oral sex on someone who has one shouldn’t transmit anything.

How can I stay safe?

When engaging in any kind of sexual activity, you should always practice safe sex.

In the case of oral sex, it’s important to communicate with your sexual partner (or sexual partners) about your sexual histories and discuss anything that may be concerning you. Regular testing for STIs is the best way to know if you become infected. You may want to consider using dental dams during oral sex if you have access to them.

If you think you may have been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection, get tested as soon as possible with Better2Know. Our dedicated team will help you choose an STI clinic and screen that’s right for you.