IF you're getting back into the dating game then it's likely you've been hit with a wave of buzzwords.
Fluid bonding is the latest term you need to know when it comes to dating and is just another way of describing unprotected sex.
Experts have warned that that unprotected sex could put you at a high risk of catching sexually transmitted infections (STIs) – especially with cases of a flesh-eating infections being on the rise.
Donovanosis is thought to be more common in places like India and South Africa, but cases are starting to creep up in England.
With that in mind it's important to practice safe sex by using a condom which will help protect you from infections.
Fluid bonding refers to people deliberately having sex without a condom or any other protection in a bid to achieve 'greater intimacy'.
Dr Elizabeth Boskey of VeryWellHealth said some monogamous couples believe that fluid bonding is a way to enhance their passion and connection.
She explained: "It’s important to know that fluid bonding can put partners at risk of STDs.
“That is particularly true if their prior STD testing is not comprehensive. Not all doctors test for all STDs, but not everyone realises that, so testing can give you a false sense of security.
Symptom checker: The signs you need to know when it comes to STIs
The NHS advises that you should go to a sexual health clinic if you have the following symptoms.
Women:
- Bleeding during or after sex
- Pain during sex
- Bleeding between period
- Pain in your abdomen
- Yellow or green discharge from your vagina, or discharge that smells
Men:
- Pain in your testicles
- Discharge from your penis
There are some symptoms that can also occur in both men and women and these include:
- pain when passing urine
- itching, burning or tingling around your genitals
- blisters, sores, spots or lumps around your genitals or anus
- black powder or tiny white dots in your underwear (this could be droppings or eggs from pubic lice)
"There is nothing inherently more intimate about having unprotected sex in comparison to safer sex. Many couples have great intimacy for decades without exchanging fluids.”
Dr Boskey said that most couples usually wait to explore the possibility of fluid bonding until they have been tested for infection.
She added: "Fluid bonding should never be a way of proving your love or your trust.
"Why would you even start to discuss the possibility of having unprotected sex with someone if either love or trust was a question?"
Despite this, Dr Boskey said that fluid bonding isn't just for people in monogamous relationships.
She explained that some people who engage in polyamory and other forms of consensual non-monogamy consider themselves to be fluid bonded with one or more partners.
"They may still engage in protected sex outside of those relationships. This reduces—but does not eliminate—the risk of bringing an infection into the fluid-bonded relationship", she added.
What to do if you want to become fluid bonded with your partner
If you want to become fluid bonded then it's important to weigh up the risks.
Before you commit to this it's important to have an open and honest relationship with the person you are sleeping with.
Fluid bonding will increase your risk of sexually transmitted illnesses and it's important for you to know whether or not your sexual partner is sleeping with anyone else and what arrangement they may have.
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