5 Advantages and Disadvantages of Casual Sex: Should You Do It?
Have you ever had casual sex? The most accurate definition would be to maintain intimate contact with someone in very specific situations. This is what happens, for example, when someone has a “friend with benefits.” However, this type of sexual relationship can occur with strangers at a given moment, such as when going out to a party or to a discotheque.
Casual sex is recommended as long as it generates satisfaction. However, like everything, it has its advantages, but also has its disadvantages. Would you like to know what they are?
Well, we invite you to keep reading, because if this kind of relationships has generated some discomfort or has made you feel bad, perhaps this type of sex is not for you…and you know what, that’s totally okay!
Casual sex has always existed
You may think that there’s more casual sex nowadays than ever; however, this isn’t true. What’s really happening is that we’re living in an era where many taboos regarding sex and sexuality have been broken. Therefore, there’s no longer any reason to hide the fact that people prefer to have causal relationships and enjoy sexuality without the need to have a partner, for example.
Sometimes, there are couples who seek to have casual sex with other people. This is the case for those who go to swingers clubs, for example. However, in this article, we’re focusing on the people without a partner who have casual sex. They’re people who seek to enjoy their sexuality through this type of sex, but to what extent do they get advantages or disadvantages for this?
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The advantages of casual sex: It’s a stress inhibitor
Casual sex has certain benefits. For example, it inhibits stress. This is because you release oxytocin and endorphins that reduce your stress and increase your sense of happiness when you have an orgasm.
In addition, these hormones leave you with a feeling of extreme relaxation, so having sex is not contraindicated for your health. Quite the contrary- it’s very pleasurable and healthy.
Another advantage of casual sex is that you avoid commitments you may have with a partner. It may be that at this time of life you want to meet several people, enjoy your sexuality, and not be immersed in any relationship. Therefore, sex allows you to enjoy all its advantages without having to be tied to a relationship with someone.
A third advantage of this type of sexual relationship is that you get to experience and learn a lot about sex. You can discover what you like, practices that turn you on, and try new things that allow you to experience your sexuality in a totally different way. Casual sex can help you discover a lot about your own sexuality and how to enjoy it.
The disadvantages of casual sex: Risky behaviors
The advantages of this type of sex are clear, but what about the disadvantages? To talk about them, we must refer to a study, Sexual debut in the context of casual sex and its association with sexual and reproductive health risk behaviors in adolescents. In the study, it highlights that there are risky behaviors that can turn casual sex into a very negative behavior.
For example, having sex without a condom or latex barrier can increase your risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases or infections. One of the most frequent is papilloma. The Ministry of Health warns that “the frequency of HPV infection in women in Spain is 14.3%, and is 29% in young women aged 18-25.” This is just an example, of course.
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Another risk of having casual sex without adequate protection is having an unwanted pregnancy or being exposed to taking the morning-after pill more than once, with the risk that this entails for one’s health. Therefore, given that many times you don’t know if the person you’re sleeping with protects himself or herself in their relationships, it’s best to take precautions.
Are you trying to fill voids with casual sex?
Despite the advantages and disadvantages mentioned above, we want to make a final note about casual sex and the need to fill voids. Many times, engaging in these types of relationships can leave you feeling lonely and dejected, and even guilty afterward. This is a red flag. This means that you’re doing something you don’t really want to do, but are doing it because you may feel lonely.
Sometimes, sex is an escape route, and if you don’t enjoy casual sex, it’s essential that you put yourself in the hands of a professional. Not everyone enjoys this type of sex because they need to connect with the other person or have a higher level of intimacy or even a relationship with them.
If you have casual sex and you’re comfortable and enjoy it, don’t forget to protect your health during sex. Otherwise, if this type of sex makes you feel sad or uncomfortable afterward, it’s best to see a professional. There are definitely parts of you that deserve to heal and that will allow you to have other types of relationships that fit you better and make you feel good.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- González A., Electra, & Molina G, Temístocles. (2019). Inicio sexual en contexto de sexo casual y su asociación a comportamientos de riesgo en salud sexual y reproductiva en adolescentes. Revista chilena de obstetricia y ginecología , 84 (1), 7-17. https://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0717-75262019000100007
- Espada Sánchez, J. P., Quiles Sebastián, M. J., & Méndez Carrillo, F. J. (2003). Conductos sexuales de riesgo y prevención del sida en la adolescencia. Pap. psicol, 0-0.
