Having more than one sexual partner over a period of time or having more than one partner during the same time frame can qualify one as having “multiple sexual partners.”

In as much as sexual activity has benefits which include but are not restricted to:
• Improved sleep: A research done in 2019 has found that orgasms help promote sleep.

• Improved immune function:  Older research from 2004 found that people who had sexual intercourse once or twice a week had higher levels of IgA, an antibody that fights pathogens.

• Release of oxytocin: This hormone can positively impact anxiety and how people process negative experiences.

• Reduction in cortisol: This hormone is connected to stress, and elevated levels can have a negative effect on physical and psychological health.

• Improved physical health: Sexual activity counts as physical exercise.

There are a lot of disadvantages to both men and women but we’ll focus on women’s health. These disadvantages include:

*    Increase risk of exposure to sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis B and C, HPV(human papilloma virus)infection, Herpes Simplex Virus infection, etc.

*     These viral infections could further predispose to cervical cancer (from HPV infection), liver cancer (from hepatitis B and C virus infection), oral cancer (from herpes simplex virus infection).

*      Others include Syphilis(leading to mouth and genital ulcers), gonorrhea and chlamydia leading blockage of fallopian tubes and eventually, infertility.

THE WAY FORWARD

*   Stick to one faithful sexual partner who does not have other partners, else the aim of your sticking to just that one is already defeated.

*    Carry out viral screenings as often as possible(for the couple) and better still before you begin sexual encounters with that person.

*     Go to the hospital as soon as you notice any abnormal vaginal discharge, itching, pain or growths. Begin treatment at a good health facility as soon as you test positive for any of the viral infections.  Also, get your partner treated in any of the cases above.

*     Best option remains abstinence until marriage and sticking to one partner within marriage.
If you don’t trust your partner, use a condom(but remember that condoms do burst).