A Comparison of Sexual Health History and Practices among Monogamous and Consensually Nonmonogamous Sexual Partners

Abstract

Introduction

Although consensually nonmonogamous (CNM) relationships are presumed to be far riskier for partners' sexual health compared with monogamous relationships, the disparity between them may be smaller than assumed. A growing body of research finds that many partners who have made monogamy agreements cheat, and when they do, they are less likely to practice safe sex than CNM partners.

Aim

Extant comparisons of monogamous and CNM relationships are rare and have yet to establish whether rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and STI testing differ between these groups. The present research compared self‐reported STI history, lifetime number of sex partners, and condom use practices among monogamous and CNM partners.

Methods

Participants (N = 556) were recruited for an online survey of “attitudes toward sexual relationships.” Approximately two‐thirds of the sample reported current involvement in a monogamous relationship, with the remainder indicating involvement in a CNM relationship.

Main Outcome Measures

All participants completed a questionnaire that included measures of condom use practices with primary and extra‐pair partners, as well as their STI history.

Results

CNM partners reported more lifetime sexual partners than individuals in monogamous relationships. In addition, compared with monogamous partners, CNM partners were more likely to (i) report using condoms during intercourse with their primary partner; (ii) report using condoms during intercourse with extradyadic partners; and (iii) report having been tested for STIs. Approximately one‐quarter of monogamous partners reported sex outside of their primary relationship, most of whom indicated that their primary partner did not know about their infidelity. The percentage of participants reporting previous STI diagnoses did not differ across relationship type.

Conclusions

CNM partners reported taking more precautions than those in monogamous relationships in terms of greater condom use during intercourse with all partners and a higher likelihood of STI testing. Thus, although persons in CNM relationships had more sexual partners, the precautions they took did not appear to elevate their rate of STIs above an imperfect implementation of monogamy. Lehmiller JJ. A comparison of sexual health history and practices among monogamous and consensually nonmonogamous sexual partners. J Sex Med 2015;12:2022–2028.