GITNUXREPORT 2025

Oral Sex Statistics

Most adults engage in oral sex, enhancing satisfaction and intimacy significantly.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

83% of men and 78% of women find oral sex to be a satisfying sexual activity

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About 40% of men and 65% of women believe oral sex is less intimate than vaginal sex

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37% of adults consider oral sex an essential part of a satisfying sex life

Statistic 4

About 30% of adults believe oral sex is not sex at all, often considering it an alternative activity

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62% of men and 58% of women report feeling more comfortable with oral sex with a familiar partner than a new partner

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The use of flavored lubricants during oral sex can enhance experience and is preferred by about 40% of participants

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Men who give oral sex are more likely to report greater partner satisfaction and intimacy, with approximately 65% citing improved relationship quality

Statistic 8

Approximately 20% of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are transmitted through oral sex

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The most common STI transmitted through oral sex is herpes, followed by gonorrhea and syphilis

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Oral sex can be a risk factor for HPV infection, which is associated with oropharyngeal cancers

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Oral sex is considered lower risk than vaginal or anal sex in terms of pregnancy but carries similar risks for STIs

Statistic 12

Approximately 25% of people have contracted a STI from oral sex at some point in their lifetime

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Approximately 70% of adults in the United States have engaged in oral sex at some point in their lives

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54% of men and 52% of women report having performed oral sex on a partner

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Among teenagers aged 15-19, about 48% of males and 40% of females have tried oral sex

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The average age of first oral sex is 17 years old

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Couples who engage in oral sex report higher sexual satisfaction levels

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60% of men and 57% of women have performed oral sex without a condom

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About 25% of sexually active adolescents have performed oral sex before their 15th birthday

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More than 60% of college students report having performed oral sex in the past year

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The majority of people who have performed oral sex do so for longer than 5 minutes

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70% of respondents in a survey reported that oral sex is an important part of their sexual repertoire

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Men are more likely than women to request oral sex from their partners

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65% of people who engage in oral sex also engage in other forms of sexual activity such as vaginal or anal sex

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The use of dental dams during oral sex remains low, with only about 10% of sexually active people using them regularly

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Studies suggest that oral sex can reduce stress and improve mood due to release of endorphins

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15% of men and 20% of women have performed oral sex on someone of the same sex

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Oral sex is more common among partnered individuals than single individuals, with 75% of partnered people reporting regular oral sex

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The frequency of oral sex among couples varies widely, with some reporting weekly activity and others monthly or less frequently

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55% of men and 52% of women have experienced oral sex that was pleasurable for both partners

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The global average age of initiation into oral sex is roughly 16-18 years old

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85% of women and 89% of men aged 18-24 report having tried oral sex

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The majority of individuals who practice oral sex report doing so with multiple partners over time, increasing STI risk

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In surveys, around 15% of respondents have reported that they have had difficulty reaching orgasm through oral sex alone

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The average duration of oral sex acts ranges from 3 to 10 minutes, depending on the activity and partner preference

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Women who receive oral sex are more likely to report higher levels of sexual satisfaction, with up to 75% indicating it enhances intimacy

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Key Highlights

  • Approximately 70% of adults in the United States have engaged in oral sex at some point in their lives
  • 54% of men and 52% of women report having performed oral sex on a partner
  • Among teenagers aged 15-19, about 48% of males and 40% of females have tried oral sex
  • The average age of first oral sex is 17 years old
  • 83% of men and 78% of women find oral sex to be a satisfying sexual activity
  • Couples who engage in oral sex report higher sexual satisfaction levels
  • 60% of men and 57% of women have performed oral sex without a condom
  • About 25% of sexually active adolescents have performed oral sex before their 15th birthday
  • More than 60% of college students report having performed oral sex in the past year
  • The majority of people who have performed oral sex do so for longer than 5 minutes
  • 70% of respondents in a survey reported that oral sex is an important part of their sexual repertoire
  • Men are more likely than women to request oral sex from their partners
  • 65% of people who engage in oral sex also engage in other forms of sexual activity such as vaginal or anal sex

Did you know that nearly three-quarters of adults in the U.S. have tried oral sex, a practice linked to higher sexual satisfaction and growing in prevalence among teens and young adults?

Attitudes, Perceptions, and Preferences

  • 83% of men and 78% of women find oral sex to be a satisfying sexual activity
  • About 40% of men and 65% of women believe oral sex is less intimate than vaginal sex
  • 37% of adults consider oral sex an essential part of a satisfying sex life
  • About 30% of adults believe oral sex is not sex at all, often considering it an alternative activity
  • 62% of men and 58% of women report feeling more comfortable with oral sex with a familiar partner than a new partner
  • The use of flavored lubricants during oral sex can enhance experience and is preferred by about 40% of participants
  • Men who give oral sex are more likely to report greater partner satisfaction and intimacy, with approximately 65% citing improved relationship quality

Attitudes, Perceptions, and Preferences Interpretation

While most find oral sex a satisfying and intimate facet of sex, perceptions vary—some view it as a vital component, others dismissing it altogether—yet the data reveals that comfort, flavor, and mutual satisfaction consistently elevate the experience and deepen relationship ties.

Health Risks and STI Transmission

  • Approximately 20% of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are transmitted through oral sex
  • The most common STI transmitted through oral sex is herpes, followed by gonorrhea and syphilis
  • Oral sex can be a risk factor for HPV infection, which is associated with oropharyngeal cancers
  • Oral sex is considered lower risk than vaginal or anal sex in terms of pregnancy but carries similar risks for STIs
  • Approximately 25% of people have contracted a STI from oral sex at some point in their lifetime

Health Risks and STI Transmission Interpretation

While oral sex may seem like the safer choice on paper, these statistics remind us that it's no immune to the hidden dangers of STIs—so, perhaps, a little more caution and a lot more honesty are in order on the road to safe intimacy.

Sexual Behavior and Practices

  • Approximately 70% of adults in the United States have engaged in oral sex at some point in their lives
  • 54% of men and 52% of women report having performed oral sex on a partner
  • Among teenagers aged 15-19, about 48% of males and 40% of females have tried oral sex
  • The average age of first oral sex is 17 years old
  • Couples who engage in oral sex report higher sexual satisfaction levels
  • 60% of men and 57% of women have performed oral sex without a condom
  • About 25% of sexually active adolescents have performed oral sex before their 15th birthday
  • More than 60% of college students report having performed oral sex in the past year
  • The majority of people who have performed oral sex do so for longer than 5 minutes
  • 70% of respondents in a survey reported that oral sex is an important part of their sexual repertoire
  • Men are more likely than women to request oral sex from their partners
  • 65% of people who engage in oral sex also engage in other forms of sexual activity such as vaginal or anal sex
  • The use of dental dams during oral sex remains low, with only about 10% of sexually active people using them regularly
  • Studies suggest that oral sex can reduce stress and improve mood due to release of endorphins
  • 15% of men and 20% of women have performed oral sex on someone of the same sex
  • Oral sex is more common among partnered individuals than single individuals, with 75% of partnered people reporting regular oral sex
  • The frequency of oral sex among couples varies widely, with some reporting weekly activity and others monthly or less frequently
  • 55% of men and 52% of women have experienced oral sex that was pleasurable for both partners
  • The global average age of initiation into oral sex is roughly 16-18 years old
  • 85% of women and 89% of men aged 18-24 report having tried oral sex
  • The majority of individuals who practice oral sex report doing so with multiple partners over time, increasing STI risk
  • In surveys, around 15% of respondents have reported that they have had difficulty reaching orgasm through oral sex alone
  • The average duration of oral sex acts ranges from 3 to 10 minutes, depending on the activity and partner preference
  • Women who receive oral sex are more likely to report higher levels of sexual satisfaction, with up to 75% indicating it enhances intimacy

Sexual Behavior and Practices Interpretation

Given that approximately 70% of U.S. adults have tried oral sex—often starting around age 17 and reported by couples as a pathway to greater satisfaction—it's clear that while most see it as a significant and enjoyable part of their sexual repertoire, usage remains hindered by low condom use and limited awareness of protection options, highlighting both its widespread normalization and ongoing public health challenges.