15 Apr Increased Sexual Health Risks For Sex Addicts And Their Partners
Due to the unfortunate nature of the addiction, there exist significant health risks for individuals addicted to sex – the partners of sex addicts, however, are also subject to these associated risks. Though the spread of diseases and infections is one that typically comes to mind, there are many other risks that can pose a serious threat to an individual and their partner’s quality of life.
The major difference between an individual addicted to sex and a non-addict lies in impulse control – the ability to exercise control over one’s own desires and actions. Through sexual stimulation, an addict faces overwhelming urges regarding excitement – these urges temporarily impair their ability to refrain from both engaging in risky sexual behaviours, and stopping unsafe sexual activities once under way. The swift, incredibly powerful sense of arousal also takes precedence over any logical or rational thinking relating to the practice of safe sex. This can lead to numerous sexual health issues that affect both the addict and their partner, including:
- serious nerve damage to both male and female genitalia sustained during rough sexual intercourse or from dangerous masturbatory techniques
- unwanted pregnancy due to unprotected sex
- exposure to sexually transmitted infections and venereal diseases through unsafe sex, such as HIV/AIDS, HPV, chlamydia, herpes simplex HSV-1 and HSV-2, gonorrhoea, syphilis, trichomoniasis, cervicitis, and at a lower risk scale hepatitis B and C.
- the continued spread of STIs and STDs to other sexual partners, due to unprotected sexual activity
- engaging in risky sexual behaviour with potentially dangerous and violent partners, such as strangers
- having unprotected sexual intercourse in unsafe locations while using drugs and/or alcohol
- injuries developed due to dangerous, sexual rituals in order to heighten arousal and pleasure – typically related to inflicting pain from physical trauma such as whipping, choking, and cutting, also consumption of recreational/prescription drug enhancers, and/or needle and tourniquet exchange
If left unchecked, sexual addiction can have lasting consequences for an addict and their partner – with sex addiction, both parties suffer.