Opinion about giving oral sex

Big ones are a pain in the jaw!

Getting to the heart of the matter with oral sex is complex, because there's more than just physical sensations in play — there's also a complicated power dynamic at work. Sometimes, the person on the receiving end of oral sex is being pleasured, but also feels very vulnerable; and the giver, though performing an act that usually won't provide them with any direct physical pleasure, holds almost of the power in the situation. For some people (even those who don’t particularly care for the act itself), it’s that power imbalance inherent in oral sex that gets them off ― further proof that sex is not just physical, but also about our emotional impressions and sensations. But other times, that power dynamic is reversed— especially when women feel obligated to perform oral sex on their partners, even though they're not actually that interested. These are just a handful of the reasons why oral sex may one of the most emotionally complicated sex acts around. Recently, I asked women their thoughts on receiving oral sex, and their answers stretched all the way across the spectrum, from passionate love to disinterest and disdain. 

Whether you love it or hate it, you almost definitely have an opinion about giving oral sex. Sometimes you’re into it, sometimes you’re not, and sometimes, it’s all about just focusing on trying not to gag.  

If you're like many women, you might even love it and hate it at the same time. Sixteen women tell how they feel about giving oral sex — and why. 

1. Hannah, 26 "I am not a fan of giving oral sex. I hate it. A lot of guys just expect it. I honestly don't want your genitals in my mouth. Especially if the guy is one of those ones who push the head down and try to force you. Never works. However, I have come across two guys, and two only, that I have had absolutely no problem doing it for. It usually means I'm very, very, very into them." 

2. Yese, 23 "I love doing it to my boyfriend! Especially because I know he loves it." 

a little one is a lot easier to please!

3. Joy, 35 "In this case ONLY, the smaller the penis, the better. I hate gagging while giving head! 

I hate sucking on big cocks! It would be easier if the penis was interchangeable in regards to sucking dick and having sex. I could swap out the small one after giving a blowjob for a big one for the sex! I just think trying to suck on a big dick makes me look stupid and rarely works out well for the guy" 

4. Sabrina, 34 "I actually really love it, and when it's great with a partner, it's a staple. Currently, it's not much of a staple in my sex life, and it really bums me out. It feels like something major is missing. It's not left out of our sex life by my choice, but by his preference (I know it's not for lack of skill on my part!)...he told me he just doesn't enjoy it that much, he said it was the same with his ex-girlfriends, too...I'm happy that he enjoys intercourse, but without head on the table, it definitely can make sex seem stale. I mean, there's only so many ways [you can have sex.]" 

Sometimes there is more licking than sucking involved

5. Mieko, 34 "I would be happy to do it if it's someone I am in love with; would adore doing it. But for someone I am not that into, hell no! there are no "just dating" blowjobs or one night stand blowjobs ever! Having sex and having oral sex are a bit different. Oral sex is little more personal." 

6. Sonya, 44 "Oral sex, which for me means going down on my husband who has a penis, is something I do because it turns him on. There's no intrinsic fun in it for me, except that I love him and I want to make him feel good, you know? I never had much understanding for women who love there flowers licked but are unwilling to give a blowjob, seems selfish. 

7. Tea, 30 "Under the right circumstances I love it ― love the reaction it gets, love the power and gratification that comes from giving someone else pleasure. I also actually like the experience of it, as long as I'm in the mood to be doing it. I also think I like it because, honestly, I've been told by multiple partners that I'm good at it. And it's a pretty big turn-on to be told that, and to go into it with the confidence that you're going to rock somebody's world, as it were. 

Adding some technique to the act can sometimes save your jaw from the pain

However, when I was in college, I used to give blowjobs to pretty much every guy I had sex with, largely because I felt like it was expected of me and not a 'big deal' compared to having sex. And I am very, very, VERY wary of this kind of thinking now. 

I think it dawned on me sometime in my 20s how much entitlement there is in our culture regarding male-centric sexual pleasure generally, and blowjobs specifically— and how many times in my life I've personally given head because I felt like it was what I was supposed to do, not because it was what I particularly wanted to do and I was not on the receiving end many of those times. 

And needless to say, in most of the situations where I felt that way, I wasn't really enjoying the sex that much. I've come to really chafe at the idea that this is an 'expected' part of sex for men, so while I'm 100 percent psyched to do it for the right partner, I'm only going to do it if actively want to." 

8. Dana, 29 "When my now-husband and I were dating in college, I’d give him blowjobs almost every night of the week. I loved to do it, because I loved him. I still love him, obvs, but I just don’t have a taste – no pun intended – for it anymore. I don’t know what happened (maybe I gave too many back then?), but now he gets one maybe once every six months, if he’s lucky, and I have to be drunk. Naturally, this means he reminds me of those college night blowjobs all the fucking time.” 

9. Ilana, 24 "Oral sex, for me, is measured by the enjoyment of my partner. I love it when I can tell my partner is enjoying it. If I can't tell, I get nervous and flustered and feel sexually inadequate. If he goes limp or never gets hard it freaks me out! I know it's probably not me but things can go awry quickly when it comes to sex. 

Some big ones can be jaw breakers - lol

Hence my general preference for partners who are either verbal or at least use their vocal chords during sex. When there's silence, and I can't tell if I'm giving pleasure to my partner, it totally takes me out of the moment. I am usually completely unselfconscious during sex (the only time I am ever unselfconscious), but the moment I start to worry that my intuition is not as good as I think it is, I stop enjoying giving oral sex." 

10. Becky, 29 "I enjoy making my partner moan and squirm, so in that way, it is fun. On the other hand, I have a very small mouth and a somewhat easily triggered gag reflex, and have met too many dudes that feel entitled to blowjobs, so this is not something I do for guys when we FIRST get together. 

It is a lot of work for me and quite frankly and the bigger the dick the less inclined I am to really suck on it. with big guys it ends up more of a handjob than a blowjob when you can;t get much past the head. I'm not doing it unless I feel I am getting something in return.  I tend to prefer it as a warm-up rather than the main event. It's hot to see your partner so turned on, but then I tend to get impatient and want to jump to other things." 

11. Holly, 29 "For years, I avoided it with my first boyfriend, because there was just a funky smell coming from that part of his body. Like, even when he had just gotten out of the shower. But in my new relationship, there’s no funkiness at all, so I love giving him head. I know he loves it, so I just love it, too." 

12. Catherine, 26 "My attitude on blowjobs is basically: the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Some days, I feel super confident doing them; a lot of people say it, but it really is a turn-on to see the effect it has on my partner. That said, I have a sensitive gag reflex and a jaw that tends to cramp up, so I usually can't entirely finish him off. Still, it's fun to get him pretty close before climbing on top of him." 

13. Kerry, 25 “If I never suck another dick again, I definitely won’t miss it. But — and I think a lot of women will agree — there’s something really hot about making your partner feel that turned on. All I have to do is mention that I might give him a blowjob later and he’s already seconds from coming in his pants. There’s a sense of power that comes with that feeling, and I love that power, but I do hate cum.” 

It's more hands than mouth with big ones

14. Samantha, 32 "I can’t stop gagging whenever I do it, which is sad because I do love it. My boyfriend has got a long penis so this does not help but I think maybe I don’t relax enough or something. I’d do it more if I could just stop gagging.” 

15. Kate, 25 "I am actually a big fan! I guess it's because it's kind of playful. I don't feel a lot of pressure, because most guys love them, right? Or at least I've never had a complaint! I guess I just find them fun? I'm not very squeamish about sex, really, and I think it's quite a turn-on to be that intimate. It doesn't bother me if there are fluids involved, because I only put penises in my mouth that belong to guys I find really hot. I think being that intimate with someone is really hot!" 

16. Caitlin, 28 "I actually really enjoy giving blow jobs. There's a power in your sexuality when you give head, and it can be really fun if you embrace it. And if I'm with a good partner, it makes me happy that I'm giving them so much enjoyment. I'm in a long-term committed relationship and we both love giving and receiving, and pretty much start off that way before we have sex every time."