We Asked Men What They Really Think About Giving Oral Sex
Who said men aren't generous in bed?!
ECOSY / Shutterstock Cunnilingus, for those of you who don’t know, is the official terminology for performing oral sex on a woman.
For women who have yet to experience this, I just have to say you’ve been missing out. You might think I just have a very special man in my life who keeps me happy (which I do), but you’re wrong thinking that he’s a rare breed of man.
Do guys like giving oral sex?
As it turns out, many guys love it!
Myth has it many men won’t perform oral sex on a woman unless she's completely shaved down there, or that most men do it out of obligation rather than actually enjoying it.
We were curious about these oral sex myths and decided to take matters into our own hands the best way we know how — surveying a group of real men. Many of their responses were shocking. Some even love it to a point that they’re aroused by giving oral.
So listen up, ladies. Lots of guys enjoy giving oral as much as we enjoy receiving it!
If you want more details about their reasons why, below are three questions we asked the guys about giving oral and the responses they gave.
Why do men like performing oral sex on women?
1. Some men say they enjoy the pleasure she gets from it.
"Definitely the pleasure it gives her, but mainly the pleasure it gives me! I am totally turned on when going down on a woman. It is by far the easiest way to get me aroused. The only thing that would make it unappealing would be bad hygiene." — Ben, 26
2. Some say giving a woman oral sex gets her ready for more.
"Gets her primed to start. Gives me a break from pumping. But in all seriousness, there’s nothing sexier than seeing a woman get turned on and know she’s enjoying herself and it’s because of you!" — Brandon, 28
3. Other men enjoy a woman's reaction.
"The way she reacts. It’s so sexy seeing a woman completely relaxed in bed knowing she’s not faking it. Basically, I like pleasuring her." — Nic, 27
4. Giving oral can get the guy turned on as well.
"That she loves it! It’s pretty awesome that I can get aroused and so turned on by pleasuring someone else. Of course, I’m there to make her feel great, but hey I need that same feeling!" — Roberto, 30
5. Men love when it makes their partner happy.
"It pleases her! Enough said! You should be doing whatever you can to give her the time of her life, and that to me is the most appealing part of it all!" — Adam, 25
6. Giving oral sex extends the whole experience.
"I really enjoy being able to do something for my woman and her knowing that I'm not only doing it for myself. It also makes the entire sexual experience much better for a couple of reasons. First, it extends the entire encounter. Second, women need to be warmed up properly and going down on them can really do the job to get them worked up physically and even mentally (relating back to my first point about doing things for her rather than myself)." — Jamal, 24
7. Some say giving a woman oral sex tastes good.
"It's a combination of enjoying the aesthetic or physical act. More often than not, I like the way it tastes and like the feeling of it. But it's likely more to do with whether my partner enjoys it. I have definitely not enjoyed oral sex, but it usually was because the person I was with wasn't really into it, so we communicated about it in some way and stopped. My enjoyment of it, then, is a reflection of the pleasure that it gives the person receiving, which begs the question of whether I'm objectifying their pleasure." — James, 31
8. Others don't like anything about it.
"In all honesty, I probably sound like a total jerk but it doesn’t work for me. There’s only so much you can get turned on. I like how she gets turned on, but it’s not like sex." — Andres, 26
9. Some say it's just hot.
"The entire situation is hot! How turned on she’s getting, and the thought that it will only get better from there is usually a huge turn-on for me." — Brian, 31
10. Men enjoy that oral sex turns her on.
"Definitely when she’s enjoying it. There is definitely no greater turn-off than when a woman is laying there and you can tell she’s not having a good time. Kills the mood." — Cam, 24
11. Performing oral sex is sexy.
"If a man doesn’t agree that it’s the pleasure it gives the woman, he’s a jerk. If that itself doesn’t turn you on, you know you’ve got issues. Just being honest. It's so sexy!" — Levi, 27
What do guys like most about giving a woman oral sex — the pleasure it gives her or the fact that it turns you on?
1. Most guys said they enjoy her pleasure.
"Most definitely, the pleasure that it gives her is what's appealing, as it's most definitely not appealing if the person isn't into it or if we're not connecting and it's not pleasurable. But to me, it's about the connection with the other person, about finding something that's mutually pleasurable and fulfilling." — James, 31
"That it gives her pleasure, even though it’s nice to get turned on. It would be too selfish to say I do it for myself, wouldn't it? Lol." — Brian, 31
"Let’s be real here! The pleasure it gives her and that it gets her wet. No man should think otherwise! You’re there for her!" — Levi, 27
"For sure it’s all about the pleasure it gives her. You’ll get your part too, so make hers worthwhile!" — Brandon, 28
2. But some do like it because of their own.
"It’s probably selfish to answer this way, but, the fact that it turns me on to do it. There’s definitely something sexy and mysterious about the way I’m getting so turned on by pleasuring someone else." — Ben, 26
3. And then there are men who enjoy giving oral sex for both reasons.
"They're equal for me, but I can see how others would lean either way." — Adam, 25
"I don't think that the two things are separable. The fact that it gives her pleasure is the primary reason that it turns me on. It can get pretty messy down there, sometimes you get a hair or two in your mouth, and you end up uncomfortably hard while in an awkward position on the bed. Getting her turned on and wanting me is what keeps me going back for more." — Jamal, 24
Do men enjoy performing oral sex on any woman, or do you reserve it for certain partners or certain circumstances?
1. Some save it for that special someone.
"For me, it's definitely something that should be saved for certain partners and circumstances. Because of the time it takes and the mess it can make, it can't always be the go-to foreplay. It's also a more intimate thing that either person might not be fully comfortable with. Sex is something that shouldn't be taken lightly and I wouldn't make myself so available for just anyone." — Jamal, 24
2. Some like to spread the love.
"Any! Everyone deserved to be pleasured in that way!" — Marcelo, 26
3. For others, their preference comes with limitations.
"Any with the exception of these three rules: No bush, yeast infections, or blood. I don’t care how messed up that sounds. Those are the three things I'm not standing for. It works for some men, not for me." — Ben, 26
4. There are men who prefer a woman who is groomed down there.
"It’s definitely not for every woman. Definitely needs to be shaved." — Brandon, 28
5. Most, but not "any."
''Any' is too broad. It's in the middle somewhere. Most women, most of the time. It's just another tool in the toolbox." — Adam, 25
6. Any — seriously, any — woman.
"Any! Honestly, it doesn't matter to me. It’s all part of the experience. I don’t even mind the blood or how shaved or not you are." —Brian, 31
7. Some will only do it after they've been together a few times.
"I think I would need to sleep with her a couple of times before performing oral sex on her. I’d like to know that she’s clean and her habits before doing so. imagine getting down there and she’s dirty. Or later on discovering her weird habits. Nah not for me. Pass!" — Nic, 27
8. Any (if she's honest about her hygiene).
"Any! I’m all about it. I really could care less. If she’s dirty, say something. I’m all about honesty. You can’t have a relationship with anyone without honesty. Even if you’re there for a one-night stand. If you want to go down on her and you don’t like something, let the girl know! Don’t see anything wrong with that." — Levi, 27
9. Any. Just do it.
"I don’t even have a long response for this! Every man's answer should be any! I don’t care if it’s a one-night stand, give it to her! Suck it up and do it. There’s no reason not to." — Roberto,30
10. Some say only when it's reciprocal.
"I mean It’s kind of a double standard. Let’s say this is your first time sleeping with her. If you want it, you’ve got to give it. I never go for it if it's the first time, but if she goes down on me, I feel pressure to do the same." — Andres, 26
11. Certain people at certain times.
"I reserve it for certain circumstances and I’m straight up about it. I can totally understand her not wanting to do the same for me because I’m not doing it for her. I just feel like it’s something more intimate that should be kept between you and someone you like, not any random person. So definitely not in a one-night stand. I’m okay with periods and hair." — Diogo, 22
12. As long as she gives consent.
"I would perform oral sex on any woman partner who was into it, who gave consent, but I think there are a lot of women who aren't particularly interested, so I've experienced that too. I have had a woman who, when I asked, said, 'I'd rather you use your fingers — I'm much more likely to have an orgasm that way.'" — James, 31
Stefanie Leonel is a freelance writer whose work has been featured in Women's Health, Thought Catalog, and more.