Mutual masturbation or manual stimulation refers to sexually touching someone’s genitals by hand. In modern society, the words hand-job, oral sex and fingering seems to get the message across.

Although mutual masturbation is generally considered a safer sex practice and one of the least risky forms of sex play, it is still possible to transmit an STD, the most common being herpes, genital warts, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia. By simply touching your own genitals and then your partners, or vice versa, there is a risk of passing on an STD if there is an infection present.

The risk is extremely low, but a simple ‘fresh’ cut on the finger acts as an open door for infection to get in, via vaginal fluid or the presence of menstrual blood. Likewise for males who may contract an infection through the urethra, the small opening at the tip of the penis.

To be extra safe, some men prefer to wear a condom during mutual stimulation, although not as stimulating, protecting your health against future infections could save you from an irritating scratch or even a life-long, incurable virus.

For women, there are a number of products available at clinics or pharmacies, where you can buy a dental dam for oral sex. This is a simple square sheet of latex that is laid over the vulva. Alternatively, a finger condom can be used. These are specially designed condoms made for placing over the finger(s).

If you think you may have contracted an infection, visit your GP and ask for a test to be done. These tests need to be specifically requested, and keep in mind that symptoms, if any, may only start to appear 2-3 weeks after the sexual encounter.

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