Date 5th Nov 2015 | Views 571
We have suspected it for years, but a new study says that monogamous couples catch STI's just as much as swingers.
A report in the Journal of Sexual Medicine says that a survey of 554 people found that monogamous couples were less likely to use condoms or gets tested for STI's.
"It turns out that when monogamous people cheat, they don't seem to be very good about using condoms," Justin Lehmiller, a psychologist at Ball State University and author of the study, told BuzzFeed News. "People in open relationships seem to take a lot of precautions to reduce their sexual health risks."
One in four of the 351 monogamous participants in Lehmiller's survey said they had done the dirty on their partners. About 1 in 5, whether monogamous or not, stated they had been diagnosed with an STD.
This is of course in marked contrast to swinging couples who almost always will use condoms during their escapades.
Regarding people in what they consider to be exclusive relationships, Lehmiller said, "this risk is compounded by the fact that cheaters are less likely to get tested for (STDs), so when they pick something up, they are probably less likely to find out about it before passing it along."
According to psychologist Terri Conley of the University of Michigan, these figures mirror her team's findings in a 2012 study that found people in open relationships were more likely to use condoms properly, in relation to their monogamous counterparts.
Absolutely Fascinating
I really did find this report fascinating. Although STI figures are notoriously unreliable, with many people convincing themselves that a struggle to piss is merely a urinary issue that will pass with time, it does say a lot about respective lifestyles.
When we go to a swingers party, we know that we will have to use condoms. That issue really isn't up for debate; you either use or you are told to sling your hook.
Now those who are merely cheating on their partner have a tendency to be a bit more blahzee about it. Then, if they do catch something, they are unlikely to know about it straight away and just head back to their partner to have more unprotected sex. It is like the Lion King's Circle of Life, just with more itching and genital warts.
So, next time you hear someone say that 'swinging is 'dirty', just let them know that monogamous couples are just as likely to get STI's. Watch them shut up faster than you can imagine.
