Infographic: Why Infidelity is a High Risk Sexual Behavior

Most people think of cheating as a risky behavior–risky in the sense that, if discovered, it could potentially lead to hurt feelings, severe conflict, and maybe even breakup. However, infidelity doesn’t just put the health of a relationship at risk. Research has found that it also puts the physical health of everyone involved at risk because, when people cheat, they don’t appear to be particularly likely to practice safe sex. Check out the infographic below for a look at the data.

These findings beg the important question of why cheaters don’t practice safe sex more often. We can’t say for sure, but one possibility is that cheating tends to be a spontaneous, unplanned behavior and, as such, perhaps people just aren’t prepared for safe sex when they commit infidelity. However, another possibility is that cheaters may incorrectly think of themselves as being “safe” because they’ve been in a monogamous relationship and, therefore, that they don’t need to practice safe sex.

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