As attitudes toward sex and sexuality have relaxed in the last few years, maintaining multiple sexual partnerships has become both more common and more acceptable. This rejection of sexual monogamy can not necessarily be described as promiscuity, especially if your partners are aware that they are not the only person whom you are seeing or you haven’t mislead one or more of them to believe that you don’t have multiple partners. Regardless of whether your partners are aware of each other or not, there are some considerations for juggling these sexual relationships.
What to tell or not tell your partners
Those who have multiple concurrent sexual partners generally take one of two approaches: either they let their partners know they are involved sexually with other people and are not looking for a monogamous relationship, or they keep hidden this preference and hope they are not found out. If you choose to be polyamorous and decide to share that information with your partners or potential partners, understand that there is a good chance of your being rejected. Sex is a very personal act for most people, and the idea of sharing a lover with others is not always an attractive prospect for men or women. (One study, for instance, shows that fewer than 10% of men have multiple concurrent sex partners.) And even if your partners are aware that you are not monogamous, jealousy can still come into play.
Practice safe sex
Whether or not you have chosen to share with your partners that you are sexually active with other people, practicing safe sex is of paramount importance. Sexually transmitted diseases can threaten your health, and many are deadly. Making sure the man wears a condom every single time you have sex is especially important when you are sexually involved with multiple partners so you can protect both your health and theirs. If you have not told your partners that you have ongoing sexual relationships with more than one person, that betrayal alone will sting once you are found out. But infecting one or more of your partners with a sexually transmitted disease you got from one of your partners is a transgression not easily forgiven even if you do make everyone aware that you practice polyamory.
Some advice just for the ladies
Additionally, women should practice not only safe sex but also reliable birth control. It seems like an obvious statement, but if you get pregnant and choose to bring the child to term there you runs the risk of entering a protracted legal battle that could involve paternity tests, custody rights, and more. Further, women should be aware that those who have multiple sexual partners are at much greater risk of contracting the human papilloma virus (HPV), which in turn dramatically increases their chances of having cervical cancer.
Why do you want so many partners?
Consider also why you choose to have multiple sexual partners. Studies show that both males and females are at higher risk of suffering from depression if they have multiple partners than those who are monogamous. As such, your decision to have multiple partners can affect your mental health as well as your physical and sexual health.
1 Reply
Ba / Woman / Likes Men / Single
OMG... the ole 'studies prove' gamut. In the real world, beyond the statistics of contrived testing, love is a growth activity... and growing is powerful. Love, power and growth do not engender depression. Though many couples do try to 'fix' things by adding other partners to the mix. Depression could be a factor in failed relationships... ya think?
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