Dr. Fulbright,
Are there any health risks or hazards associated the oral consumption of semen? Thank you so much and I hope that you have a wonderful day.
Sincerely,
—Zach

Dear Zach,
This is often a matter of debate for lovers, especially since oral sex has been misrepresented as a low risk form of sex. Anytime semen is deposited into the mouth, there is a risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection. Possible infections include gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, herpes, hepatitis B, human papilloma virus (HPV), and CMV. To reduce the risk of infection, a latex condom should be worn over the penis.

Do you have a question about sex? If so, foxnewshealth.com wants to hear from you! E-mail your questions to drmanny@foxnews.com

Dr. Yvonne Kristín Fulbright is a sex educator, relationship expert, columnist and founder of Sexuality Source Inc. She is the author of several books including, “Touch Me There! A Hands-On Guide to Your Orgasmic Hot Spots.”

Dear Yvonne,
My girlfriend enjoys me giving oral sex, but has to shower before I pleasure her. How can I make her realize she doesn’t have to shower? I understand her wanting to be as fresh as possible, but I don’t mind. I even prefer that she not shower. Any suggestions? Thanks!
—Rob

Dear Rob,
Let your girlfriend know how much you love pleasuring her, and how much you like her in her “au natural” state. As you pleasure her, and then again during after play, express how much you enjoy her taste and smell — how much it turns you on, and more so than shower fresh. Given most females are raised with the idea that their genitals are “dirty,” it may take a while to undo the damage that has been done. Positive reinforcement over time should, however, help your cause.

Do you have a question about sex? If so, foxnewshealth.com wants to hear from you! E-mail your questions to drmanny@foxnews.com

Dr. Yvonne Kristín Fulbright is a sex educator, relationship expert, columnist and founder of Sexuality Source Inc. She is the author of several books including, “Touch Me There! A Hands-On Guide to Your Orgasmic Hot Spots.”

Dear Yvonne,
What are the dangers of oral sex without using a condom?
—Sissie

Dear Sissie,
As discussed in my first book, The Hot Guide to Safer Sex, unprotected oral sex is a high-risk sexual behavior. You can get sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, or HIV, from performing oral sex on a man or woman. Another thing to keep in mind is that when someone has the common cold sore (a.k.a. oral herpes — HSV-1) and goes down on you, you could contract genital herpes, or HSV-2.

To protect yourself, use a dental dam, which is a rectangular latex barrier that is placed over the vulva (or anus) during cunnilingus (oral sex on a female), or a non-lubricated, non-spermicidal condom during fellatio (oral sex on a male). You can also use a sheet of non-microwavable Saran Wrap if a dental dam is not available, or cut a condom lengthwise for a square.

Dr. Yvonne Kristín Fulbright is a sex educator, relationship expert, columnist and founder of Sexuality Source Inc. She is the author of several books including, “Touch Me There! A Hands-On Guide to Your Orgasmic Hot Spots.”

Dear Yvonne,

I would like to ask my boyfriend to perform more oral sex on me, especially since he likes it when I give it to him. Should I guide him down there or talk to him about it first?

-Clarissa

Dear Clarissa,

Encouraging your boyfriend to kiss you below your navel is one way to clue him into some action farther south. As he works his way down your abs, gently push his head closer to your pelvic area. Allow your breathing and moaning to become faster and more intense. Getting more excited shows him that you’re getting more aroused.

Back up plan: Suggest little kisses on your upper thighs or even on your bum as well. If he doesn’t eventually take a hint and hit the bull’s eye, you can broach cunnilingus by asking him general questions like, “Does it turn you on to think about going down on me?” With questions like this, you’re not making a request, but are feeling him out on the matter. If he has a problem with it, use this as an opportunity to find out what sexual behaviors he is and isn’t comfortable with and why. You can let him know what turns you on and off as well, including that you’re into oral sex. Don’t be shy in letting your desires be known – most guys think it’s hot! Furthermore, if he’s into fellatio, but won’t reciprocate the favor, don’t be afraid to make issue out of it. After all, fair is fair…

 Dr. Yvonne Kristín Fulbright is a sex educator, relationship expert, columnist and founder of Sexuality Source Inc. She is the author of several books including, “Touch Me There! A Hands-On Guide to Your Orgasmic Hot Spots.”

Dear Yvonne,
My husband & I have been married for 29 years and are just now opening up sexually, REALLY opening up. He gets back from Afghanistan in 45 days, and after 6 months gone, I can’t wait. He loves getting oral sex and I love giving it to him, but I wanted to know if there are any foods he can eat that will change the taste of his semen. 
- Noreen

Dear Noreen,
To improve the taste of his semen, eat acidic foods, like fruits, for a sweeter taste. So citrus (especially lemon), cranberry and pineapple, as well as juices made from such, are often recommended. Cardamom, cinnamon, and peppermint are also said to make him tastier. Certain vegetables can work to his benefit in the taste department, for example, celery and parsley, but broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus and beets will NOT work.

Foods that can further affect his taste for the worse are red meat and fish, since these are alkaline-based. Garlic, onion, chemically processed liquor, drugs and nicotine tend to affect his taste for the worse. The high bacterial content of dairy products also has a negative effect on his semen’s taste. Lastly, your husband should be mindful of consuming strong tasting foods and spices, which end up getting secreted by his body, changing his flavor and overall odor.

Dr. Yvonne Kristín Fulbright is a sex educator, relationship expert, columnist and founder of Sexuality Source Inc. She is the author of several books including, “Touch Me There! A Hands-On Guide to Your Orgasmic Hot Spots.”

Researchers say teenagers are not using oral sex as means of preserving their virginity, the Washingtonpost.com reports.

A federal survey of more than 2,200 males and females aged 15 to 19, found that teens who described themselves as virgins were less likely to say they had tried oral sex than those who said they were not virgins.

More than half of the teens included in the survey, which was released Monday, said they’d had oral sex.

“There’s a popular perception that teens are engaging in serial oral sex as a strategy to avoid vaginal intercourse,” Rachel Jones of the Guttmacher Institute, a private, nonprofit research organization based in New York, who helped do the study, told the Washingtonpost.com. “Our research suggests that’s a misperception.”