Healthier Scotland. Scottish Government

Group Sex

What are the risks to health from group sex?

The more people you have sex with, the greater the risks are of catching a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

With group sex sessions, the chances that someone will forget to practise safer sex techniques are greatly increased. Even practising safer sex, a condom or dam could slip or break and allow infectious bacteria or viruses through.

Even if you do use protection, viruses like Herpes and parasites like Trichomonas can be present on the skin in areas not covered by condoms or dams. Bacterial infections like gonorrhoea can also be present in the throat.

In a group sex session, it's possible that just one person with an STI could infect the rest of the group. If sessions are anonymous, anyone who does find they have an STI will not be able to contact others in the group to let them know they should get a test.

Visit the clinic to read more about sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

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Feelings and relationships

Sex of any kind is linked to powerful emotions. Anyone contemplating group sex should also consider the risks to their feelings and relationships.

Although the prospect of a group sex session may well be exciting for some, the reality can be difficult to cope with.

Even if they agree and are willing to take part, partners can become upset at the thought or sight of the person they love having sex with someone else.

Afterwards, people can feel guilty, confused and vulnerable.

Couples who pursue group sex as a means of 'spicing up' their sex lives may well find that it damages their relationship beyond repair. No kind of sex can be a substitute for good communication.

Meanwhile, it can be very difficult to know ahead of time that everyone involved in group sex session will treat each other with respect and that they are taking part of their own free will.

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Reducing the risks from group sex

The risks to physical health from group sex can be reduced if:

• group sizes are kept as small as possible
• everyone agrees to practise safer sex techniques
• everyone gets tested for STIs

The health risks can be further reduced if everyone leaves a gap of several months between group sex sessions in order that any STIs that have been passed on will have a chance to show up in tests.

It's also a good idea to maintain some method of contacting others involved in group sessions so that everyone can be alerted should someone find out they may have passed on an STI.

The risks to relationships and feelings can be reduced if:

• everyone talks through what will happen beforehand
• clear ground rules are set out as to acceptable behaviour
• partners are clear that both feel it's okay to do this

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Safer sex alternatives to group sex

There are plenty of ways to have safer sex.

Oral sex or vaginal sex with a condom and masturbation are all less risky.

Find out more about safer sex alternatives.

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