How Common Is Oral Sex [Statistics & Facts]

Oral sex, a subject often whispered about behind closed doors, is brought to the forefront in this enlightening piece by the Bedbible Research Center. This article sheds light on the intricate dynamics of oral intimacy, revealing how Americans truly feel and engage with it.

But why should you trust this piece? It’s grounded in rigorous research and backed by credible sources, ensuring you’re getting a well-informed perspective. Embark on this journey to demystify one of the most discussed yet often misunderstood aspects of human intimacy.

Table of contents:

Key Takeaways

  • 59% of all women say they give oral sex regularly, in comparison just 52% of men report the same.
  • 4 in 5 couples practice oral sex.
  • 85% have tried to receive oral sex
  • On average a person gives oral sex 5.32 times per month
  • 52% of women enjoy pleasing their partners with oral sex, and only 28% of men feel the same.
  • 25-29 years old on average have oral sex most frequently.
  • The average age of giving or receiving oral sex is 16 years old.
  • 92.6% of women say that they like to give blow jobs.
  • 66% play with their partner’s body while giving oral sex
  • Oral sex is scientifically linked to throat cancer
  • You can get STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) from oral sex

How Americans Feel About Oral Sex

  • 80% of Americans find pleasure in oral sex
  • 73.5% of Americans think that oral sex is fun
  • 55.8% of Americans believe that oral sex can make them feel closer to their partners
  • 25.3% of Americans believe that oral sex makes them self-conscious
  • 12.8% think uncomfortable
  • 8.4% think it makes them feel dirty
  • 6.3% of Americans think that oral sex is gross
  • 3.5% of Americans deemed oral sex as a shameful activity
How Americans Feel About Oral Sex

What Actions Americans Usually Perform While Giving Oral Sex

  • 66% of Americans play their partner’s other body parts while giving oral sex
  • 13.3% will do nothing besides the act of oral sex
  • 11.7% choose to masturbate while giving oral sex
  • 7.4% prefer to grab their partner’s hair
Actions Americans Usually Perform While Giving Oral Sex

How Often Do Americans Perform Oral Sex (per month)

Number of Respondents: 1008 U.S. citizens; 18 years and above 

  • Overall (5.32 times)
  • Heterosexual (5.14 times)
  • Gay (5.37 times)
  • Lesbian (4.57 times)
  • Bisexual (6.77 times)
  • Men (4.97)
  • Women (5.98 times)
  • Single (5.64 times)
  • In a relationship (5.25 times)

How Often Americans Receive Oral Sex (per month)

Number of Respondents: 1008 U.S. citizens; 18 years and above.

  • Overall (5.20 times)
  • Heterosexual (5.08 times)
  • Gay (5.31 times)
  • Lesbian (8.86 times)
  • Bisexual (5.69 times)
  • Men (5.44)
  • Women (4.85 times)
  • Single (5.54 times)
  • In a relationship (5.14 times)

American Men Who Have Received Oral Sex

The following data were revealed in a survey among 975 respondents:

  • 85% of American men indulged in oral sex in their lifetime
  • 60.9% of American men received oral sex
  • 38.4% of American men stated that they had received oral sex a month before January
American Men Who Have Received Oral Sex

American Women Who Have Received Oral Sex

  • 84.6% of American women have received oral sex in their lifetime
  • 49.2% of American women received oral sex
  • 31.8% of American women received oral sex in December
American Women Who Have Received Oral Sex

American Men Who Have Given Oral Sex To a Female in their Lifetime (by age group)

  • Men aged 30-39 composed the biggest number of respondents who had given oral sex to a female (88.2%)
  • Men aged 14-15 are the least in the group of respondents who have given sex to a female in their lifetime (8.3%)
  • Other stats on various age groups reveal:
    • 16-17 years old (20.2%)
    • 18-19 years old (60.9%)
    • 20-24 years old (70. (%)
    • 25-29 years old (85.6%)
    • 40-49 years old (84.4%)
    • 50-59 years old (77.3%)
    • 60-69 years old (72.5%)
    • 70 years old and above (61.6%)
share of american men who have given oral sex to a female in their lifetime

American Men Who Have Given Oral Sex to a Male in Their Lifetime

  • On average,13% of American men aged 40-59 stated that they had given oral sex to a male in their lifetime
  • On average, 9.7% of Americans in the age group 18-24 revealed that they have given oral sex to another male in their lifetime
  • 1.6% of American men comprising the ages of 14-15 stated that they had given oral sex to another man in their lifetime
  • American men aged 70 years old and above comprised 5.3% of those who stated that they had given oral sex to another male in their lifetime
share of american men who have given oral sex to a male in their lifetime

American Women Who Have Given Oral Sex to a Female in Their Lifetime

  • American women in the age group of 20-24 and 30-39 got the same percentage as those who had oral sex with a female in their lifetime (both 14%) 
  • 12% of American women who stated that they had oral sex with another female are in the age group of 40-49
  • Other age groups and their percentages are:
    • 14-15 years old (5.4%)
    • 16-17 years old (9%)
    • 18-19 years old (8%)
    • 25-29 years old (10%)
    • 50-59 years old (7%)
    • 60-69 years old (3%)
    • 70 years old and older
share of american women who have give oral sex to a female in their lifetime

American Women Who Have Given Oral Sex to a Male in Their Lifetime

  • Women aged 25-29 comprise the 89% who said that they have given oral sex to a male in their lifetime
  • American women aged 70 years old and above made up 43% of those who said that they had given oral sex to males in their lifetime
  • Other age groups showed the following percentage:
    • 14-15 years old (13%)
    • 16-17 years old (29%)
    • 18-19 years old  (61%)
    • 20-24  years old (78%)
    • 30-39 years old (80%)
    • 40-49 years old (83%)
    • 50-59 years old (80%)
share of american women who have given oral sex to a male in their lifetime

Can You Get STDs From Oral Sex

Yes. There are many STDs and other infections that can be acquired through oral sex. 

  • You can get STDs in the throat or mouth after giving or receiving oral sex from an infected partner
  • You can get STDs in more than one area of the body at the same time. For instance, you can have an STI in the genitals and the mouth
  • Many STDs, such as gonorrhea, syphilis, and intestinal infections that are transmitted through oral sex can spread in the body
  • You can also acquire some types of STDs in the genital areas after receiving oral sex from a partner with a throat or mouth infection
  • Anilingus can transmit hepatitis A and B, as well as intestinal parasites like Shigella and E.coli

Fun facts about oral sex

  • Oral sex is linked to throat cancer.
  • Oral sex is common among teens.
  • Oral sex can enhance some adult relations, but can also strain others.