Self-help Articles

by Dr. Al Cooper and Dr. Coralie Scherer

Yours is certainly a question for the 90s with all the talk and advertising campaigns that promote monogamy as one of the ways to reduce the risk of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The risk of having multiple partners is the increase of the pool of people who may harbor one or more of the bacteria, viruses, or parasites that, when snuggling in the harbor of a warm, welcoming (though unsuspecting) host or hostess, can flourish into a full blown and sometimes deadly STD (see a previous question & answer).

So the answer to your question is that the STD has to exist within a partner (or contaminated blood products from a needle exchange or transfusion) in order for transmission to take place. While multiple partner sex does not create an STD -- and monogamous sex does not guarantee (because one can be absolutely sure only about one's own fidelity) protection from an STD -- the gamble is clearly greater with more partners.

About the Author:

Dr. Al Cooper, was the clinical director at the San Jose Marital and Sexuality Centre (408-248-9737) and ran the training program for Counseling and Psychological Services at Stanford University. Dr. Cooper was internationally known for his work in sexuality.

Dr. Coralie Scherer coordinates online services for the Centre and specializes in sexual trauma, women's issues, and marital therapy.