OK, we admit it's a funny name! But a dental dam can help prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) through oral sex between partners. But only Sheer Glyde Dams have been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use during oral-vaginal sex ("cunnilingus") or oral-anal sex (also known as "rimming").

A Sheer Glyde Dam is a thin, natural rubber latex sheet, 10 inches by 6 inches. Before performing cunnilingus, you lay the Dam flat against the entire vulva--the vaginal opening and the clitoris. For rimming, you lay it against the anus. Always use a new Dam for each act of oral sex.

 
During oral sex, both people are at risk for STDs, although the chance of getting or giving some STDs during oral sex is less than vaginal or anal sex. Many STDs want to infect warm, wet places, like your mouth, urethra, vulva, vagina, penis, and/or anus. This means that many STDs can be passed from your mouth to genitals and vice versa.

 
The STDs that can be passed during oral sex are herpes, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, and syphilis. There is a very small risk for getting and giving HIV through oral sex, too.

 
This doesn't mean that you can't enjoy oral sex. But it does mean that you need to plan ahead, talk to your partner, and use protection.

 
You can find Sheer Glyde Dams at a local clinic, or you can buy them through the official Web site. It can be difficult to find Sheer Glyde Dams at pharmacies, but you can try.

 
Got a question about STDs? Call the CDC's National STD Hotline at 1-800-227-8922, open 24/7.