High-Risk Sexual Behavior
Overview
High-risk sexual behavior is sex that puts you at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unplanned pregnancy, and being in a sexual relationship before you're mature enough to know what makes a healthy relationship. Teens and young adults are at higher risk than adults.
Examples of high-risk sexual behavior include:
- Unprotected intercourse without male or female condom use, except in a long-term single-partner (monogamous) relationship.
- Unprotected mouth-to-genital contact, except in a long-term single-partner relationship.
- Early sexual activity, especially before age 18.
- Having more than one sex partner.
- Having a high-risk partner. (This is a partner who has more than one sex partner or other risk factors.)
- Having anal sex or a partner who does, except in a long-term, single-partner relationship.
- Having sex with a partner who injects or has ever injected drugs.
- Exchange of sex (sex work) for drugs or money.
Credits
Current as of: November 22, 2021
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
H. Michael O'Connor MD - Emergency Medicine
Current as of: November 22, 2021
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & H. Michael O'Connor MD - Emergency Medicine