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SAN FRANCISCO, Apr 04, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- A U.S. study published in the April issue of Pediatrics finds teenagers believe oral sex is less risky to their health and emotions than intercourse.
Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, a University of California, San Francisco, associate professor, surveyed 580 Northern California ninth graders and found 19.6 percent reported having tried oral sex, while 13.5 percent said they had vaginal sex. About 31 percent said they intended to have oral sex within the next six months, compared to 26.2 percent who intended to have vaginal sex.
Halpern-Felsher said young teens believe oral sex to be significantly less of a health risk than vaginal sex and that it would be less likely to have negative social and emotional consequences -- such as getting a bad reputation or having feelings of guilt.
"There is not much data about the chances of sexually transmitted infections due to oral sex, but there is a real risk," Halpern-Felsher said. "When teens are engaging in or considering oral sex, they need to know about methods to keep themselves safe from physical as well as emotional risks."
Copyright 2005 by United Press International.
