by Rebecca Adele Scarlett

Created on: October 10, 2010

When speaking of "weighing the risks" of something, it often implies that there is some gain to be had, and one is weighing the potential risks against the potential gains.

When it comes to having unprotected sex, there are so few potential gains, and such high potential risk, that it is downright foolish to choose to go unprotected. Unfortunately people often choose to have unprotected sex anyway, mostly because the potential gains are immediate, whereas the potential risks seem far away and unlikely.

Potential Gains

Many people, especially men, claim that sex "feels better" without a condom. This may be true for some people, and is likely an individual matter. It seems to be true that the skin-to-skin contact creates endorphins, but surely enough of the rest of your skin is touching? Recent studies suggest that the testosterone absorbed by the woman from the semen ejaculated by the male can elevate mood. So, the very small potential gains from unprotected sex may include a slight increase in pleasure (which can be accomplished by using a specialty condom and lubrication) and a temporary elevation in mood for the female partner, which would surely occur after a satisfactory encounter anyway.

Potential Risks

1 in 4 people aged 15-24 have or have had some kind of sexually transmitted disease or infection. Most people are aware of the horrible consequences of catching HIV: if the virus progresses to AIDS a person's days are limited. Other STDs and STIs can have side effects ranging from the unpleasant and uncomfortable to the deadly; several STIs can cause infertility by scarring the fallopian tubes and/or ovaries, and HPV can lead to cervical cancer. Unwanted pregnancies can also result from unprotected sex.

When weighing the risks of unprotected sex, a person needs to seriously consider the fact that it can kill. The only safe unprotected sex is with a partner who can show you a recent, disease-free test, and with whom you are in a committed and monogamous relationship. Obviously if there was no unprotected sex there would be no children, so if you are trying to conceive you will be foregoing the condoms, but it is in your best interests to ensure that your partner is disease and infection-free before you do. There is really no good reason for those in more casual relationships to risk unprotected sex, and the consequences are just not worth it. If you catch a disease from a casual partner, it may make it impossible to have children with your "forever" partner once you decide to settle down, because you will risk infecting him or her. For the sake of your future, and the sake of your future partners, don't risk it.

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