Consensual non-monogamy is a surprisingly popular relationship style. Some research from North America suggests as many as one in 20 people may be in a polyamorous, swinging or open relationship – with one in five saying they’d like to try it. Although multiple sexual partners potentially brings increased exposure to sexually transmitted infections, research has shown that consensually non-monogamous people are very good at practising safer sex.
They’re more likely to discuss safer sex with their multiple partners. And, they test for sexually transmitted infections at significantly higher rates than monogamous people do. Being able to access sexual healthcare is of great importance for consensually non-monogamous people.
But many continue to face barriers when accessing sexual health services , as our research has shown. In line with other research , we found stereotypes, myths and a general lack of understanding about consensual non-monogamy all act as potential barriers to healthcare. For instance, when they go to their GP or clinic for testing, it’s not unusual for them to be met by doctors and nurses who either don’t understand their relationships or who actively stigmatise them.
Approximately a third of our participants either never, or only sometimes, revealed their relationship style to medical professionals. Assumptions might be made about their relationship, with one participant saying: “I was not asked ‘Do you have multiple partners?’ but ‘do you h.
