Engaging in sexual activities with multiple partners without using protection can pose health risks, especially if the health status of those partners is unknown. Contracting a sexually transmitted disease (STD) from one partner can lead to transmitting it to others during subsequent sexual encounters, and it also increases the risk of developing certain types of cancer.
Risks of Frequent Partner Switching
Frequent partner switching raises the risk of contracting STDs, including HIV/AIDS and human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. This can lead to a range of health risks, both in the short and long term. According to a study published in the BMJ Sexual and Reproductive Health journal in 2020, researchers evaluated data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, which tracked individuals aged 50 years and over who lived in the UK.
The study included 2,537 men and 3,185 women, with an average age of 64 years, and almost three out of four were married. Participants were asked how many sexual partners they had had, and categories ranged from none or one, two to four, five to nine, and 10 or more. The researchers found that individuals who frequently switched partners had an increased risk of developing cancer. Women who reported having 10 or more partners were 91 percent more likely to develop cancer than those who had no partners or only one partner.
Similarly, men who reported having at least 10 sexual partners were 69 percent more likely to develop cancer than those who had none or only one partner. The increased risk of cancer due to frequent partner switching is linked to HPV infections, which can increase the risk of developing almost all types of cancer affecting the cervix, vagina, vulva, anus, and penis.
Tips for Safe Sexual Activities
Limiting sexual activity to one partner is essential to reducing exposure to disease-causing organisms. Here are some additional tips for staying safe:
- Think twice before engaging in sexual activity with a new partner or frequently switching partners.
- Ask your partner about their history of STDs and drug use.
- Always use a condom during sexual activity.
- For oral sex, protect your mouth by asking your partner to use a condom (male or female).
- Avoid drinking alcohol or using drugs, as this increases the likelihood of engaging in high-risk sexual behavior or partner switching.
- For women, avoid douching after sexual activity, as this can spread infections further into the reproductive tract and eliminate spermicide protection.
- Get regular pap smears, pelvic exams, and STD testing.
- Observe your partner's body for any signs of sores, blisters, rashes, or unusual discharge.
- Check your body regularly for any signs of sores, blisters, rashes, or unusual discharge.
- Consider sexual activities beyond vaginal, oral, or anal sex.