Polyamory and STIs

Photo by Deon Black on Pexels

To people who go "polyamorous people must have so many STIs!" - when was the last time you got tested?

Using STIs as a way to insult non-monogamous people and accuse them of being sexually irresponsible is not the flex you think it is. Statistically, non-monogamous people are no more likely to contract an STI than monogamous people because we're more likely to be honest with our partners, use protection, and get tested regularly (Lehmiller, 2015).

Also, there is nothing wrong with having an STI, and it is a natural risk of being sexually active. I am herpes-positive (like 2/3 of the world population), and since I became aware of my status, I am honest about this with potential partners. I get tested every 3-6 months and share my results! It's not hard to do, and there's no shame in doing it.

If you found this article helpful, consider the following:

• Book a peer support session with me for further guidance and support on your non-monogamous journey

• Support me on Patreon and access exclusive posts and perks

• Subscribe to my monthly newsletter to stay updated about new resources, workshops and events

• Follow me on other social channels - I’m at @polyphiliablog, everywhere.

Comments

Join the conversation — create a free account to comment.

Join the conversation

Loading comments…