Sexual risk-taking higher after breakup
13 May 2011
A relationship breakup may have important health implications, with a study showing those newly single are at 3 times the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and twice as likely to have an abortion.
In a sexual behaviour survey of a random sample of 4800 women and 4000 men aged 18–44 years, about a third of those who were sexually active had experienced a breakup in the past 5 years.
The French study found 3 per cent of the individuals in the breakup group tested positive for chlamydia, compared with 1 per cent whose relationship status had not changed.
Women who had separated from their partners were nearly twice as likely to have had an abortion (9 versus 5 per cent) and men who had experienced a breakup were also more likely to report their partner had an abortion.
The study showed women were less likely than men to have used a condom with a new partner (76 versus 82 per cent), "suggesting gender asymmetry in negotiation skills for condom use".
"This study shows that relationship dissolution is associated with higher sexual risk taking, especially among middle-aged adults," the researchers said.
Last Reviewed: 13 May 2011
- 1. Moreau C, Beltzer N, Bozon M, Bajos N; CSF group. Sexual risk-taking following relationship break-ups. Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care 2011; 16: 95-9. Epub 2011 Jan 31. doi:10.3109/13625187.2010.547263. http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/13625187.2010.547263 (accessed May 2011).
