THERE could be a link formed between the “Ensure Challenge” and contracting sexually transmitted diseases, according to a medical professional.

The challenge, which features a bottle of the Ensure nutrition drink being poured on women in public spaces, became viral after the release of a popular song called, Code created by dancehall artiste Brysco.

Many have raised eyebrows to the challenges, noting that it gives a negative portrayal of women.

Further, Dr Mario Guthrie in a recent Jamaica AIDS Support for Life (JASL) social media discussion, said the product adds no medical value to oral sex.

“Outside of a couple having a desire to introduce an external food item to make oral sex a little more interesting, the popular high-calorie meal replacement shake Ensure actually provides no medical benefit in the performance of oral sex,” he said.

Dr Guthrie however cautioned that sexually transmitted diseases can be contracted from oral sex and advised that in the midst of the challenge and having fun, people should be mindful.

“The ones you can contract include chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, herpes, the human papillomavirus virus, trichomoniasis and HIV,” he explained.

Dr Guthrie said, like penetrative sex, there are barrier methods that can allow you to have safe oral sex.

“These include latex-free condoms, polyurethane or plastic condoms, or [a] dental dam which can create a barrier that prevents a transmission of an STI from mouth to genitalia or vice versa,” he said.

Additionally, Dr Guthrie stressed that proper hygiene is critical for oral sex.

“Where genitalia is concerned around oral sex, there is personal hygiene clean and there is free of disease clean. You need to ensure that you wash [those areas] and bathe and ensure that all of your genitalia is clean — especially prior to any sexual encounter — and regarding disease, you just need to ensure that you have regular check-ups and tests to ensure that you’re STI-free.

“If there is anything that is treatable, you should see your doctor and have it treated and you should follow the profiles around minimal or decreased risks of transmission of that STI to someone else.”