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I would think that an open relationship is more risky in terms of sexually transmitted infections and HIV? Or am I missing something here? Please set me straight!

There are at least 2 answers to your post:

1. No. People do not get STI/STDs by the type of relationship they are involved in.
BUT
2. Yes, if their openness includes making choices that put them at risk for STI/STDs they are more likely to catch one than, say, a person who doesn't have additional sexual partners.

Anyone else have another answer?

I think there are too many factors to give a single correct answer.

The bottom line statistic of infection is related to the NUMBER and frequency of different partners. But that doesn't always translate into certain infections.

For instance there is also what you do. Mutual massage and J/O are like zero risk even with a person with something. Oral likewise is not as risky. You can go on and on and the risk is different. Maybe a couple has a particular person they are involved with most of the time.

I know couples who have been together 15 years open and both are negative.

Also you can't really get anything from someone who is not infected either no matter what you do.

For sure monogamy can be be safer, but consider this -- what if you are in a monogamous relationship with a person who is HIV ? My first boyfriend was positive and we were together about 1.5 years. 10 years later and 3 bf's later I am still negative. Never had any STDs. I am as careful as I can be. I ask a persons status and get tested.

I am not judging either open or monogamy but things are not always as clear and simple as they seem.

Contracting an STD is basically a numbers game
if you're in a monogamous relationship...you only need to worry about one man...yours
if you're single or even worse in an open relationship because it increases the odds by a factor of 2
when you have sex unless you see the guy's blood test results he had done yesterday you're relying on his word and the fact theat he himself knows he has none
...also has or does the men you have sex with practice safe sex? All of these things come into play in a modern gay man's sex life.

The more people you have sex with the more likely you will contract an STD. Oral and anal sex both carry risk for developing STD, though the risk in anal sex is much higher, because the mucosa lining is thinner. Having all you patners tests is one way of limiting you chances of getting an STD, but remember that even test can be wrong. There are so things as false - thought these are rare. Safe sex also decreases the transmission of STDs but this is not 100% effective. You just have to be careful.

GQjock,

I never thought about the x2 factor and makes lots of sence!

answer=YES

gentlemen I am new to this scene, I met a guy on a business trip, we had dinner and I let him suck my cock (no condom)2 or 3 times a day for 4 days, and he rimmed me 2x and finger fucked me 2x, we also kissed a lot, but I did not suck his cock....am I much at risk for catching anything?

yes mike- not trying to scare you but chlamydia(which can cause PID in woman), herpes,gonorrhea,pubic warts and hepatitus to name a few. Hiv in rare occasions where there would have to be mouth abrasions, bleeding gums and exchange of body fluids- blood saliva. If you do not know the person from a hole in the wall they make ultra light condoms- better than no protection at all- Also u can cut the top off a condom and cut it up the length wise to make a square and use it as a dental dam for mouth anal. My ex worked for a Dr. in an std clinic. So I have heard too many stories about the traveling businessman's sorrow.

MIKEMIKEMIKE:

so you know saliva does not transmit HIV

chung -I wrote blood saliva.

read up chungo- HBV Hepatitus B can be transmitted via sweat. knowledge is power. Or would you like to debate that one also??

blood and saliva are different things and I said nothing about anything but HIV.

"Hiv in rare occasions where there would have to be mouth abrasions, bleeding gums and exchange of body fluids- blood saliva"

that statement would imply that HIV can be transmitted by saliva which it cannot.

If HIV could be tramsmitted by saliva, we'd all be dead. The entire world. But I think you're both right. I think what he meant was that HIV can be transported in the mouth, via saliva, into an open wound, where it then has access into the body. The big factor being the open wound, not the saliva.

That is exactly what I meant Volley. Thank-you for actually READING my post. I know it cannot be transmitted by saliva only. I never said that!!

The obvious answer is...Yes
if you're in this type of relationship ground rules are VERY important
trust has to be the number one concern
and safe sex -- even with your partner

rksportswear saidI would think that an open relationship is more risky in terms of sexually transmitted infections and HIV? Or am I missing something here? Please set me straight!

Yes, open relationships are more risky. Any time you have personal contact with another person you are at risk for contracting any number of diseases if they are infected, and many diseases are contagious without any visual signs or symptoms, even with just skin-to-skin contact (body contact, mutual touching, kissing, masturbation, etc..). So a person might think they are disease free when they are not and infect other people without realizing it.

The laws of probability dictate yes. If you are in a monogamous relationship and both of you are faithful, then I don't see how you could contract a STI, unless one of you had a cold sore on the lips, did not know it and passed it on to your partner's genitals.

Yes, of course it does. If you were to have sex with multiple partners (in addition to having a boyfriend) then the possibility would exist.

Duh.....!

It is less risky to be in an open relationship with an honest man than in a monogamous one with a dishonest man.

Close shop.

And masturbate from time to time.