Survey finds many teens are abstaining from intercourse, partaking in oral sex

A new report by the National Survey of Family Growth found that many teens are experimenting with oral sex before having intercourse.

More than 40 percent of teens under the age of 17 had oral sex before intercourse, the survey results showed.

Of respondents between the ages of 15 and 17, 10 percent of males said that they had only partaken in oral sex, and 7 percent of females said the same.

Some adolescents may believe that oral sex is safer than intercourse, but sexual acts with multiple partners can add to a person's risk of becoming infected with a sexually transmitted disease (STD).

"Traditionally, people tend to focus on vaginal intercourse, but they sort of forget about other types of sexual behavior," lead study author Anjani Chandra told U.S. News and World Report.

The survey also found that more than 5 percent of teens between the ages of 15 and 19 had more than four sexual partners within the past year.

Individuals who are considering having oral sex with a new partner should use condoms to protect against the transmission of body fluids that may contain STDs.

Those who would like to be screened for the infections may consider using online testing services.