Marital Infidelity and STD

If married couples are asked which of the many dangers and risks of marital infidelity they are most concerned about, one of the top choices would be STD or sexually transmitted diseases. People who promote marital fidelity cite the tendency of STD to rise among couples who are unfaithful and those who have multiple sexual partners.

This risk is stronger in cheating spouses who do not use protection in their sexual encounters with people other than their partner. In many cases of marital infidelity, especially those involving casual encounters where no protection was used, the cheating spouse may increase his/her risk of bringing home an unwanted disease.

The risk of STD-related marital infidelity in migration

Proof that marital infidelity can be devastating not only to the emotions but also to health is the 2001 study presented by the paper ‘The Social Constructions of Sexuality’. The study concerns migrant Mexican communities. The research showed that there was a rise in AIDS cases in Mexican men who worked in the U.S., got involved in extramarital affairs and then came home to their wives.

The problem is further confounded by many Mexican women’s false reliance on their husbands’ marital fidelity and opting not to use protection as a means of preventing the spread of STD. The study concluded that the only way couples could be protected from STD is to target men specifically for effective prevention programs.

The connection between marital infidelity and STD is not limited to this specific group alone. In many countries in the world, the risk of STD rises in couples who engage in unprotected extramarital affairs. Whether they are in a committed relationship or not, the risk is even higher in people who have more than one partner.

Should STD be considered a deterrent to marital infidelity?
The fear of being infected with a sexually transmitted disease can be an excellent reason not to be involved in extramarital affairs. However, the reasoning behind this is flawed. It is still best for married couples to re-examine the positive reasons for remaining committed to their relationship instead of being motivated by fear.

In a study published in 2003 in the Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, a survey showed that many men prefer to practice monogamy in order to avoid STD. And they are, in fact, supportive of monogamy not only for health safety but also because it helps them make their relationships happier.

Furthermore, the increase in AIDS cases in the US from 1996 to 2000 was attributable to heterosexual transmission. This suggests that the best way to prevent STD is to avoid marital infidelity.