Understanding what are five unhealthy sexual behaviors can help you protect both your physical and emotional wellbeing. When you recognize patterns that put your health or relationships at risk, you are in a much better position to change them or reach out for support.
Below, you will find five common types of unhealthy sexual behaviors, how they might show up in your life, and what you can do instead.
Unprotected sex with partners
Having sex without a condom or another barrier method is one of the most common unhealthy sexual behaviors. It can put you at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancy.
Why unprotected sex is risky
When you have unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex, you increase your chance of:
- Getting or spreading STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV
- Becoming pregnant or causing pregnancy when you are not ready
- Passing on infections you do not know you have
In 2022, young people aged 15 to 24 made up half of all reported STIs in the United States (CDC). Young people aged 13 to 24 also accounted for 19% of all new HIV diagnoses (CDC). These numbers show how common unprotected sex and other sexual risk behaviors are.
Unhealthy sexual behavior can also include having sex with multiple partners without condoms, which raises your risk of infections like HPV, the main cause of cervical cancer (Health Knowledge).
Signs this might be a problem for you
You might be relying on unhealthy patterns if you:
- Often skip condoms because you feel awkward bringing them up
- Have sex while drunk or high and struggle to remember what protection you used
- Worry about STIs or pregnancy afterward, but still repeat the same choices
- Avoid getting tested because you are afraid of the results
Healthier choices you can try
You do not need a perfect record to improve your sexual health. Even small changes help:
- Keep condoms or other barrier methods where you can reach them easily
- Talk about protection before things get heated, when you can think more clearly
- Learn how to use condoms correctly and check expiration dates
- Get regular STI testing, even if you feel fine
- Remember that abstinence from vaginal, anal, and oral sex is the only 100% effective way to prevent STIs and pregnancy (CDC))
If a partner refuses to use protection or pressures you to have unprotected sex, that is a sign of disrespect for your boundaries and health.
Sex without honest communication
Another unhealthy sexual behavior is ignoring communication and consent. Sex should be based on mutual agreement, respect, and clear understanding, not on pressure, secrets, or silence.
What unhealthy communication can look like
Unhealthy patterns around communication and consent can include:
- Having sex because you feel pressured, guilty, or afraid to say no
- Not telling a partner that you have an STI
- Letting a partner remove a condom without your consent
- Agreeing to sex when you are too intoxicated to think clearly
- Staying silent about what you are comfortable with because you want to please someone
Failing to tell a partner about an STI can lead to unknown transmission, serious health consequences, and even legal issues in some places (Health Knowledge). Sexual coercion or abuse is also an unhealthy sexual behavior, and it has long term emotional and physical effects (Health Knowledge).
How to notice this in your own life
Ask yourself:
- Do you feel you can change your mind about sex at any time?
- Can you tell your partner what you do and do not want to do?
- Do you know your partner’s STI status, and do they know yours?
- Do you ever feel you owe someone sex because they paid for something or were “nice”?
If your honest answer makes you uncomfortable, that is important information, not something to ignore.
Ways to build healthier communication
You can make sex safer and more respectful by:
- Practicing phrases like “I am not ready for that” or “I want to use a condom”
- Talking about boundaries and protection when you are clothed and calm
- Being upfront about your STI status and expecting the same in return
- Remembering that consent must be enthusiastic, ongoing, and can be withdrawn
If you have experienced sexual coercion or abuse, none of that is your fault. Reaching out to a trusted friend, a support line, or a mental health professional can be an important part of healing.
Risky sex influenced by mental health
Your mental health plays a big role in your sexual decisions. Depression, anxiety, stress, and low self esteem can all push you toward unhealthy sexual behaviors, such as unprotected sex or sex you do not truly want.
How emotional struggles affect your choices
A study of adolescents in Spain found that:
- Higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress made condom use less likely. Each increase in depression or anxiety scores raised the probability of not using condoms by 19% (PMC).
- Low self esteem independently increased the risk of not using condoms. About 61.8% of participants had low self esteem, which made it harder for them to insist on safe sex (PMC).
- A history of partner violence and behavioral problems, such as school expulsions, was also linked to more unprotected sex (PMC).
Although this research focused on Spanish adolescents, the patterns are relevant for many people. When you are feeling low, it can be harder to speak up, negotiate condom use, or walk away from risky situations.
What this might look like for you
Your mental health might be affecting your sexual behavior if you:
- Use sex mainly to feel valued, accepted, or distracted from difficult feelings
- Agree to sex even when you feel unsafe or disrespected
- Avoid protection because you are afraid your partner will get upset
- Notice a pattern of regret or shame after sex, especially when your mood is already low
Steps that support healthier patterns
You can support both your mental health and your sexual health by:
- Talking with a therapist or counselor about how you relate to sex and relationships
- Practicing saying no in low risk situations so it feels more natural later
- Building self esteem in other parts of your life, such as hobbies or friendships
- Staying aware of how alcohol and drugs affect your choices and considering cutting back if they lead to more risky sex
You deserve sexual experiences that feel safe, respectful, and chosen, not a quick escape from emotional pain.
Compulsive or out of control sexual behavior
Sexual desire is a normal and healthy part of being human. It becomes a problem when it feels out of control, causes distress, or harms your health, relationships, or daily life.
This is often called compulsive sexual behavior, hypersexuality, or sexual addiction.
What compulsive sexual behavior means
According to the Mayo Clinic, compulsive sexual behavior involves an intense focus on sexual fantasies, urges, or activities that you struggle to control. These behaviors continue even when they cause problems in your health, job, relationships, or other areas of life (Mayo Clinic).
Examples of sexual behaviors that may become unhealthy include (Mayo Clinic):
- Excessive masturbation
- Being sexually aroused mainly through online or computer communication
- Having sex with multiple partners in ways that feel unsafe or impulsive
- Using pornography so often that it interferes with your life or relationships
- Paying for sex when it creates financial, emotional, or legal problems
These behaviors are considered unhealthy when they are difficult to manage and become a constant focus, not simply because you enjoy sex.
Signs you might be struggling in this area
You might be dealing with compulsive sexual behavior if you:
- Spend a lot of time thinking about sex or seeking sexual experiences
- Break promises to yourself about cutting back on certain sexual activities
- Hide your sexual behavior from partners or loved ones
- Feel ashamed or distressed after sexual activity but still feel driven to repeat it
- Notice that your work, school, finances, or relationships are suffering because of sexual behavior
Compulsive sexual behavior can affect people of any gender or sexual orientation, although it is more commonly observed in men (Mayo Clinic).
What you can do if this feels familiar
If you feel that your sexual behavior is out of control or is hurting you or others, reaching out for help is a strong and healthy step. The Mayo Clinic notes that this behavior often gets worse without treatment, so early support matters (Mayo Clinic).
You can:
- Talk to a mental health professional who has experience with sexual health or addiction
- Look for support groups in your area or online
- Set small, realistic goals for change instead of expecting overnight transformation
- Focus on building a life that includes connection, hobbies, and rest, not only sexual stimulation
You are not alone in this, and support is available.
Sex that ignores your overall health
Your general health habits also play a role in your sexual wellbeing. Choices around alcohol, smoking, stress, food, and weight can all influence your sexual function and satisfaction.
When these habits become extreme or unmanaged, they can turn into unhealthy sexual behaviors because they affect how your body responds to sexual activity and how you feel about yourself.
How lifestyle habits affect sexual function
Research from the University of Iowa Health Care highlights several ways lifestyle choices can interfere with sexual function, especially erections in people with penises (University of Iowa Health Care):
- Excessive alcohol use can weaken erections in both the short and long term, even though moderate drinking might seem relaxing in the moment.
- Smoking increases reactive oxygen species that interfere with nitric oxide production, which your body needs for healthy erections. Quitting smoking can reduce this impact.
- High stress levels cause blood vessels to constrict and limit blood flow, which is necessary for sexual function, and can even cancel out the benefits of medications like Viagra or Cialis.
- Poor diet and uncontrolled blood sugar spikes, such as in diabetes, increase substances that interfere with nitric oxide and damage sexual function.
- Being overweight can raise inflammation and further reduce nitric oxide effectiveness, which can affect arousal and performance.
When this becomes an unhealthy pattern
You might be falling into unhealthy sexual behavior linked to lifestyle if you:
- Often rely on alcohol or drugs to feel comfortable enough to have sex
- Notice ongoing erection problems or low desire but avoid seeing a doctor
- Use sex mainly as a way to feel better about your body, rather than taking care of your health more broadly
- Ignore medical advice about conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease that are affecting your sexual function
Steps toward a more supportive lifestyle
You do not need a perfect lifestyle to improve your sexual health. Small, steady changes make a difference:
- Cut back on alcohol, especially before sex, so you can stay clear headed and in control
- Consider reducing or quitting smoking, with support if you need it
- Build simple stress relief habits like walking, stretching, journaling, or talking with a friend
- Talk to a healthcare provider about any ongoing erection or arousal issues so you can address the underlying causes
You deserve a sex life that works with your body, not against it.
Bringing it all together
When you ask yourself “what are five unhealthy sexual behaviors?”, you are really asking how to protect and improve your sexual health. Based on the research above, five key patterns to watch for are:
- Having unprotected sex or sex with multiple partners without condoms
- Skipping honest communication and consent, including hiding STIs
- Letting mental health struggles guide you toward risky sexual choices
- Engaging in compulsive or out of control sexual behavior that harms your life
- Ignoring how alcohol, smoking, stress, diet, and weight affect your sexual function
If you notice yourself in any of these areas, it does not mean you are broken or beyond help. It simply means you have clear places where change can make a real difference.
You can start with one small step, such as:
- Getting tested for STIs
- Practicing a boundary phrase out loud
- Making an appointment with a doctor or therapist
- Cutting back on alcohol before sexual situations
Your sexual health is an important part of your overall wellbeing. You are allowed to ask questions, seek help, and make choices that support the kind of intimate life you want.
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