There are risks with sexual intercourse and other sexual activities. Most obviously, is that of pregnancy. Unprotected, and even protected, sex can lead to pregnancy.
Other possible "dangers" of sex include emotional pain. One might find that his or her partner wanted only sex and then leaves. Sex might be used as a way to control or hurt another. Oftentimes, sex makes a relationship more serious or committed and fighting or breaking up after sex has become a part of a relationship can be much more painful than before sex occured. Because of sex one might feel used, belittled, insecure, worthless or otherwise have a negative self image. Sex often coincides with a rush of new emotions with which it can be difficult to cope.
Furthermore, actions might be taken against those who are not supposed to be having sex, such as teachers and students, employers and employees, minors and adults, etc. These risks range from jail time to fines to termination to public scandal and alienation to police records and beyond.
Sex outside of a marriage or relationship can mean the end of the relationship/marriage or it could mean the loss of trust and communication, eventually leading to the end. If children are involved, this would affect them negatively as well and it would put strain on families.
Sex can be physically painful. Whether or not it's your first time, sex can lead to soreness and, usually embarassing, injuries.
Additionally, when one engages in sex, one should be aware of the many STI's/STD's, or sexually transmitted infections (formerly known as Sexually Transmitted Diseases) - such as the ones listed below - which can be conctracted from , not only sex, but sexual contact.
| STD/STI | Description | Treatment | Contracted by |
| AIDS - HIV | fevers, night sweats, weight loss, fatigue, oral yeast infections, swollen glands (especially in the neck and armpits), vaginal infections (especially yeast), easily acquired PID, susceptibility to other diseases and infections. | Drugs such as AZT can help to lengthen and improve the quality of life but death is inevitable. | Anal/vaginal sex, sharing needles, blood transfusion, childbirth, breast feeding, accidental needle pricks |
| Chancroid | Painful, ulcerated, open sores or ulcerations on the genitals, swollen lymph nodes | Antibiotics | Vaginal/oral/anal sex |
| Chlamydia | discharge, itching, low-grade fever, and bleeding between periods, Discharge from the penis and/or burning and itching when urinating | Oral Antibiotics | Vaginal/anal sex, oral sex(rarely), hand-eyes contact(rarely), birth canal to fetus |
| Gardnerella | Veginal itching, burning, and discgarge | Antibiotics | Douching, tampons, intrauterine contraceptive devices, diaphragms, contraceptive sponges, and products containing nonoxynol-9 which can disrupt the pH balance in the vagina. |
| Gonorrhea (The Clap) | Discharge, bleeding, painful urination (male), sore throat (if oral), swollen Lymph nodes | Antibiotics | Vaginal/anal/oral sex, childbirth |
| Hepatitis B | Weakness, loss of appetite, fevers, headache, muscle pain, dark urine, jaundice, vomiting | No cure. Supportive therapy and bed-rest help. Possible cause of liver probles or cancer. | Kissing, vaginal/anal/oral sex, unclean needles, sharing hygiene utensils, accidental needle pricks, |
| Hepatitis C | Weakness, loss of appetite, fevers, headache, muscle pain, dark urine, jaundice, vomiting | No cure. Rest and proper diet help. Possible cause of liver cancer, can lead to death. | Rarely through sexual contact |
| Herpes | Blister like sores, swollen glands, fever, flu-like symptoms, periodic outbreaks | Antiviral drugs treat and help heal outbreaks and prevent future outbreaks. | Vaginal/anal/oral sex, touching herpes lesions/secretions, kissing |
| Human papilloma virus/Genital Warts | small, hard painless bumps appear around genitals/anus, sometimes causing itching or irritation. | Surgery can remove visible wars, Creams helps prevent the spread, but the virus is incurible. The warts can block genital openings and HPV is linked to certain genital cancers. | Vaginal/anal/oral sex, childbirth |
| Lice/Crabs | Visible nits/lice, genital itching, fever, irritability | Creams/shampoos applied from stomach to knees, discaring of bedding and clothing | Intimate/sexual contact, anal/oral/vaginal sex, contact with infected linen (bedding, clothing, furniture) and toilet seats |
| Molluscum contagiosum | While pearly "blister-like" spots, sometimes with an indentation in the middle | Blisters removed surgically, | Skin-to-skin contact, intimate/sexual contact, shared items, scratching can spread infection |
| Pelvic Inflammatory Disease | swelling of the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, or the covering around them, pelvic pain, nausea, fever, vomiting, headaches, discharge, long or painful periods, | Untreated PID can lead to sterility, ectopic pregnancy, scarring, and chronic pain. | Sometimes caused by other STI's, douching, medical instruments, IUD's. |
| Scabies (The Itch) | Scratches, itching, small bumps, rash | Using medicated lotion over the entire body | Any contact (intimate or casual), contact with infected linen (bedding, clothing, furniture) |
| Syphilis | Chancre on or around vagina, vulva, mouth or anus, flu-like symptoms, non itchy rash, swollen glands, hair loss, loss of appetite, | Antibiotics. If not treated, can lead to heart and nervous system damage. | Vaginal/anal/oral sex, through the placenta to a baby, open skin touching sores, kissing |
| Trichomoniasis | Itchy dischage, itching, burning after urination/ejaculation (male) | 5-notroimidazole drugs | Direct sexual contact, sharing toys/linen, vaginal intercourse |
| Yeast | Itching, burning, painful urination, cottage cheese like discharge, | Antifungal creams | Broad-spectrum antibiotic use, Diabetes mellitus, douching, AIDS, IUD's, pregnancy, feminine hygiene products, steroids |
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