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Sex Q&A: Any advice for enjoying oral sex?

Q.

I feel self-conscious about giving oral sex. advice for me that might help me to enjoy it more?

A.

The Nest Q&ANews flash: You probably aren't bad at it...you just need more practice. Here are some tips to get you feeling more comfortable with going "downtown": Shower together in a sensual way, slowly soap each other down, and start to caress each other. Then towel yourselves dry to get ready for foreplay. Smear something tasty like chocolate sauce or whipped cream over his package and lick it off gently. This baby step will at least get you more comfortable with his south-of-the-border region.

Part of your squeamishness may come from being afraid to swallow. So don't!. When he's ready to climax, slip a Kleenex in place to catch his semen. He shouldn't be expecting you to swallow when you feel this way. Then kick back so he can giv eyou oral sex in return!

Nestpert Dr. Pam Spurr, author of Make Love All Night & Talk to Him in the Morning and Naughty Tricks and Sexy Tips: A Couple's Guide to Uninhibited Sexual Pleasure

Click here for answers to the 50 sex questions you were too afraid to ask!

-- The Nest Editors

Jul 27, 2009

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My DH and I have been together for over 8 years and for 5.5 of those years I was never able to make him climax with oral sex. My jaw would hurt, my mouth would go dry, etc. You need to find the position that works best for you; you need to be comfortable. I started to enjoy it when I heard him groan and pant, it meant that I was actually getting the job done (no pun intended). Also, don't over-think what you're doing. It will distract you from your goal.

by loreleimarsh on Dec 30, 2008

I totally agree with the whole swallowing thing. I have a terrible gag reflex (I gag when I brush my teeth!) so there is no question of me swallowing. He should understand that and be ok with it. If you can find a comfortable way to do it in the shower (him standing, you sitting on the edge of the tub) then you can switch and use your hand when he is about to finish and you don't have to worry about a tissue or washcloth. You have to remember too: having you do that at all will make him happy. And if you're not sure you're doing it right, ask.

by dramaqueen3 on Apr 14, 2009

My whole thing with oral sex doesn't have anything to do with my husband, or being comfortable with him. It does have everything to do with a past boyfriend a long time ago, and being forced into something I didn't want to do. Now, I can't even go down on my husband because of this. Him and I have talked about this, and he understands the situation, but it still makes me feel like a horrible person, but the whole previous experience was an equally as horrible and terrible an event. Any tips or advice here?

by mboon01 on Apr 15, 2009

Get a product called, "Happy Penis" or "Good Head." Or just get flavored condoms so it taste better and when he does climax it doesn't get in your mouth.

by nmorera on Jul 31, 2009

mboon... if something happened to you long ago then it is completely understandable that you would feel uncomfortable doing it to your husband. You may even have post traumatic stress disorder from it. I have a friend who suffers from this because of a similar situation. If it is something that you want to try to move past to please your husband then I would suggest seeing a counselor. Therapy is a wonderful thing and could help you process what has happened to you and somewhat put it behind you. I'm sure your husband would be very supportive of you which would be a huge help. I hope this gets better for you! Dealing with sexual abuse is not easy, but healing is very possible.

by Liv4HIMsinger on Nov 18, 2009

I was the same way! My jaw got sore and I was rather nervous about the whole swallowing thing. He was totally understanding, and at one point I decided to just go ahead and try swallowing. It was not unpleasant as I had expected and I could swallow easily (no gagging, or letting it sit in my mouth, etc.). I enjoy giving him oral sex because both of us like it, plus he is really good at reciprocating. Guys like if you try, or at least are willing, and I think the most important thing is being willing to try oral sex etc., because if you aren't into it, he will totally know

by wifey323 on Mar 03, 2010

Pure Romance carries a product that is called Great Head it relaxes the gag reflex that might me causing problems or fears in a lot of women.

by laura011981 on Mar 05, 2010

I love going down on my husband. just remember to take it out of you mouth so that the saliva can circulate and prevent your mouth from being dry. Donot focus on it just imagine you suc a lolipop or licking an i cecram

by janelD28 on Mar 10, 2010

Then dont' do it and your partner needs to respect that. I have been married to my husband for 17 years. Yes he would like it. I don't. I'm good at it! As he expressed to me, if I like him watching me in bed with another and it does nothing for him, he would hope I can live without that in our lives.

by SeriouslyWhy on Jun 03, 2010

I only swallow on the rarest of occasions... most of the time we just put "going south of the border" into our foreplay. I don't care to do it... but I do it b/c he loves it. I promise you... even if you do it just for a moment, he'll love you. Work yourself into it, and you'll be fine. And to moonb - I'm sorry that you have such a horrible experience with this. I know I've had a few in my day. Just remember... no matter what, your husband is NOT this ex... work thru it together, that's what he's here for. My hubby and I have a LOT of issues regarding exes and we're slowly working thru each one of them, and I LOVE it! You have a great husband for understanding... but I'm sure you'd like to give him all of you... just trust him. Trust that he won't be forceful, that he won't hurt you... you'll have a MUCH better bond with your husband when you do!

by mrsdixon926 on Jun 22, 2010

I recommend a product called "Great Head" by Pure Romance. You can get it online through their website, by going to or hosting a Pure Romance party, or looking up a consultant in your area & she'll hook you up. "Great Head" comes in several flavors, is completely safe, & numbs just your gag reflex so you can "69" w/out gagging.

by HeatherMHayes on Jun 25, 2010

True story: when we were dating and I couldn't get used to oral, I put peanut butter on his penis and it totally worked (killed the unusual taste). But now I'm more used to it I don't need to use my "food aide" anymore. :-P I have a strong gag reflex too - I can let him come in my mouth but then I go spit in the bathroom sink. I'm trying to work on swallowing a tiny bit to gradually get used to that too.

by biliz on Jun 30, 2010

I feel uncomfortable because I think he expects it to much. When it replaces our love making together then I feel he is controling and selfish, so I steer away from the subject anymore.

by Sammi33 on Oct 18, 2010

Ok, i feel the Dr. but that answer was to tecnical. 99.9% of man, love, enjoy, want oral sex 100% of the time; that's a fact. Yeah! they'll take it from their wifes if is not good, but they will always be expecting you to get better. So, my advise to you ladies is; do your best, try different kinds of strockes, move around untill you find a comfortable position for you. Of course guys will much rather have you swallow, but practice a trick of not to swallow but don't pull back either, just let it flow all out, it might be messy but it could also be worth it...anything for the king right! ;)

by 173eli on Oct 20, 2010

I have REALLY bad TMJ and have had it since I was a little girl... I can't chew gum or drink a thick milk shake through a straw... EVERYTIME I chew my jaw pops and drives my Mom CRAZY! So needless to say, when I try to orally please my husband, he can tell I am in pain... He reallys likes when I do it, and I really would like to but I also have a problem with Pre-Cum... holy cow... This grosses me out worse than anything! so not only is the jaw pain miserable but the pre-cum makes me want to gag! I really really want to do this for him b/c he loves to orally please me! I would love to spice it up! We have only been married for like 2 months and I am losing sex interest! this can't be good for our marriage! HELP!!!!!

by old-n-newMorgans on Nov 12, 2010

The thought of giving (and receiving) oral never really appealed to me, but it was something that my husband wanted to try. He and I were both virgins when we met, so I felt very insecure about not doing it right, but we talked through our worries and now it's a frequent part of our foreplay. When we first started out, I would just lick instead of having him completely inside my mouth. It helped me get used to it, and he is very loving and undemanding, which makes me eager to please.

by waitingellipsis on Nov 28, 2010

I don't think oral sex is something a man has any right to expect... and I really don't enjoy having it performed on me... I don't know why women feel obligated. I don't remember to love and to blow being a part of my vows.

by jessielynne84 on Feb 03, 2011

Or you could just, I don't know, not do it. Here's another "news flash" for you: you don't have to enjoy something just because it's popular, and you should NEVER be pressured into doing something you don't like doing, especially when sex is involved.

by misternobody on Mar 05, 2011

My fiancee really wants me to perform oral on him but I'm a little afraid to. I was a virgin when we got together and I've never done that before either. He's a lot older than me has had many partners and has even been engaged before so I'm worried I won't measure up or I won't be good enough. I'm also uncomfortable with the thought of semen in my mouth. Can anyone give me any advice?

by brittsons90 on Feb 03, 2012