How to Get More Comfortable Swallowing During Oral Sex

Swallowing oral sex blowjob

The most common reason people gag during oral sex is holding their breath, and relaxing your breathing can change everything about the experience.

Why It Works

The gag reflex is triggered by the pharyngeal muscles contracting in response to touch at the back of the throat, and tension in the jaw and throat amplifies that response. Slow exhalation activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which lowers muscle tension and dampens the sensitivity of the reflex arc. Relaxed breathing also reduces the stress response that makes people feel panicky, which is itself a major driver of gagging.

How To Try It

  1. 1. Before any oral contact, take three slow breaths through your nose and let each exhale run longer than the inhale.
  2. 2. Keep your jaw loose and your tongue relaxed and flat on the bottom of your mouth rather than pressed up or tensed.
  3. 3. Use a slow, steady rhythm with your partner's pace matched to your breathing, pausing if you feel tension building.
  4. 4. Breathe out steadily through your nose while your partner is at the depth you want, which keeps the throat open and relaxed.
  5. 5. When you're ready to swallow, take a gentle breath in, swallow in one smooth motion, and let your partner know how you feel afterward.

Pro Tip

Pro tip: Practicing throat relaxation alone, through slow breathing and gentle jaw release, builds the same control and makes the reflex far less sensitive over time.

Dr. Bloom is a private coach for couples. Free to start on iPhone and the web.