What are three sexual health risks?

A healthy sex life is about a lot more than avoiding infections. When you ask, “what are three sexual health risks,” you are really asking how to protect your body, your mind, and your relationships. Sexual health covers pleasure, orientation, gender identity, consent, and safety, as well as conditions like sexually transmitted infections and sexual dysfunction (WHO).

Below, you will learn about three of the biggest sexual health risks and what you can do to lower your chances of problems in each area.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Sexually transmitted infections are one of the most recognized sexual health risks, but many people underestimate how common and quiet they can be. STIs are infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites that spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex and through genital skin to skin contact (CDC; MedlinePlus).

Why STIs are such a big risk

Many STIs have no noticeable symptoms. You or a partner can feel completely fine yet still pass an infection to someone else (CDC; MedlinePlus). That silent spread is part of what makes them dangerous.

Common STIs include:

Chlamydia and gonorrhea, which are bacterial infections that often have no symptoms but can lead to serious fertility problems if untreated. They can cause pelvic inflammatory disease in women, with fever, abdominal pain, infertility, and long term pelvic pain (ACOG; Urology Care Foundation).
Syphilis, a bacterial infection that starts with a painless sore and can progress to rashes, flu like symptoms, and long term damage to the heart, nervous system, and other organs, or even death, if it is not treated. It can also cause serious, sometimes life threatening problems in babies born with congenital syphilis (ACOG; Mayo Clinic).
Human papillomavirus (HPV), one of the most common STIs, which can cause genital warts and significantly raises the risk of cervical cancer and some other cancers, especially anal cancer in men who have sex with men (Mayo Clinic; WHO).
Genital herpes, caused by herpes simplex virus, which can lead to painful sores or no symptoms at all. There is no cure, but antiviral medicine can reduce outbreaks and lower the chance of passing it on (ACOG).
HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, which attacks your immune system and can be life threatening if untreated. Modern treatment helps you stay healthy and greatly reduces the risk of transmission. Pre exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, can help prevent HIV infection in people at higher risk (ACOG; Mayo Clinic).

Untreated STIs can lead to infertility, chronic pain, higher risk of certain cancers, serious infections in newborns, liver disease, and even death (Urology Care Foundation; MedlinePlus).

How sexual activities affect your STI risk

Different sexual activities carry different levels of risk.

Vaginal sex without a condom exposes you to both pregnancy and STIs. Infections can be present in pre ejaculate fluid and can spread even if there is no full penetration or ejaculation (NHS).

Anal sex usually carries an even higher risk of spreading infections because the lining of the anus is thin and tears easily. This makes it easier for infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, and herpes to enter your body (NHS).

Oral sex can also spread infections, especially if there are sores or cuts around the mouth, genitals, or anus. Herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV can be passed through oral sex (NHS).

Sharing sex toys without cleaning them properly and without using a new condom each time can spread STIs like chlamydia, syphilis, herpes, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV if blood is present (NHS).

Condoms provide significant protection against many STIs, including HIV, when you use them correctly and every time. They do not fully protect against infections that cause ulcers or sores on skin that is not covered by the condom, such as syphilis or genital herpes (WHO).

How to lower your STI risk

You can never reduce risk to zero if you are sexually active, but you can bring it way down with consistent habits:

Use condoms or other barriers like dental dams for vaginal, anal, and oral sex.
Get regular STI screenings, even if you feel fine, especially when you change partners. Many infections are silent (CDC; MedlinePlus).
Get recommended vaccines, such as the HPV vaccine and hepatitis B vaccine, if they are appropriate for you (ACOG; Urology Care Foundation).
Talk openly with partners about testing, protection, and boundaries before you have sex.
Seek prompt treatment if you notice symptoms like sores, unusual discharge, pelvic pain, burning with urination, rashes, or flu like symptoms after new sexual contacts (Mayo Clinic).

Sexual violence, coercion, and discrimination

A second major sexual health risk is not a medical condition. It is the threat of sexual violence, coercion, and discrimination that can limit your ability to have safe and consensual sex.

For sexual health to be possible, you must be able to enjoy pleasurable and safe sexual experiences that are free from coercion, discrimination, and violence (WHO). When your rights are not respected, your health can suffer in many ways.

How this risk affects your health

Sexual violence and coercion can include forced sex, pressure to have sex, sexual activity without full consent, or continuing sexual contact when a partner has changed their mind. Discrimination based on your gender identity, sexual orientation, or sexual behavior can also harm your sexual health by limiting your access to care or safe partners (WHO).

These experiences can lead to:

A higher risk of STIs and unintended pregnancy, because you may not be able to insist on protection or choose safer behaviors.
Lasting psychological effects such as anxiety, depression, low self esteem, or post traumatic stress.
Trouble enjoying sex in the future, including pain, avoidance of sexual contact, or difficulty with arousal or orgasm.

Sexual health is not just the absence of disease. It is also about your overall well being and your ability to make free, informed choices about sexual activity (WHO). When your sexual rights are violated, your health is at risk.

What you can do to protect yourself

Some factors are outside your control, so any harm is never your fault. That said, you can take steps to support your safety and assert your rights:

Practice clear communication with partners. Talk about what you want and what you do not want before things get physical.
Remember that consent must be freely given, specific, informed, and can be withdrawn at any time. If someone ignores your “no,” that is not a misunderstanding.
Know that you have the right to sexual health care without discrimination, regardless of your orientation, gender identity, or relationship status (WHO).
If you have experienced sexual violence or coercion, consider reaching out to a trusted health professional, counselor, or local support service. Getting help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

If you are in immediate danger, contact emergency services or a local crisis line right away.

Sexual dysfunction and its mental health impact

The third key sexual health risk is sexual dysfunction and the emotional distress that can come with it. This risk is often quieter and more private, but it can still strongly affect your quality of life, your relationships, and your mental health.

How sexual problems affect your well being

Sexual dysfunction can include low desire, problems with arousal or lubrication, difficulty achieving orgasm, pain during sex, or erectile difficulties. These issues are very common, yet many people feel ashamed or alone.

Research has found that sexual dysfunction is linked with higher levels of depression and anxiety. Women with low sexual desire tend to report more depression, and men with erectile or orgasmic problems often report greater psychological symptoms and lower quality of life (WHO Bulletin).

Sexual distress, meaning feeling upset or worried about your sex life, is associated with mild depressive symptoms in premenopausal women and with higher anxiety and depression in couples (WHO Bulletin). In other words, it is not just the physical problem that matters. How you feel about it has a big effect too.

Reduced frequency of sexual activity has also been linked with more psychological problems and lower mental health in adults and older adults. Infrequent sex can be both a sign and a cause of lower well being (WHO Bulletin).

Sexual dysfunction during pregnancy is another area of concern. Difficulties with sex in this period are linked with increased depression in pregnant women, suggesting that sexual health during pregnancy deserves attention and support, not silence (WHO Bulletin).

Why this counts as a sexual health risk

Sexual health is defined as more than the absence of disease, dysfunction, or infirmity. It includes physical, emotional, mental, and social well being in relation to sexuality (WHO). When your sexual function is disrupted and you feel distress about it, your overall sexual health is at risk.

This risk can affect:

Your mood and self confidence.
Your sense of closeness with a partner.
Your willingness to seek medical help or engage in safe sexual behaviors.

If you are struggling, it does not mean something is “wrong” with you. It means you might benefit from care, information, or support, just like with any other health issue.

Steps to support your sexual well being

You can take practical steps to reduce the impact of sexual dysfunction and protect your mental health:

Talk openly with your partner about what feels good, what hurts, and what worries you. Shared understanding can lower tension and improve connection.
Consider talking with a health care provider about any ongoing difficulties, especially if they cause distress. Many sexual problems, like some erection issues or pain with intercourse, can be treated or improved.
Pay attention to your mental health. If you notice ongoing sadness, anxiety, or relationship conflict linked to your sex life, mental health support can help.
Give yourself permission to redefine what satisfying sex looks like. Intimacy does not have to follow one script. Exploring other forms of touch and connection can reduce pressure and increase pleasure.

Sexual health is not about perfection. It is about feeling safe, informed, and respected in your sexual choices, and knowing you can get help when something does not feel right.

Bringing it all together

When you think about what three sexual health risks matter most, STIs, sexual violence and coercion, and sexual dysfunction with emotional distress are key areas to focus on. They affect your body, your rights, and your mental health.

By learning how infections spread and how to prevent them, insisting on consent and respect in your relationships, and paying attention to both the physical and emotional sides of your sex life, you give yourself a strong foundation for better sexual health.

If any part of your sexual health worries you right now, you do not have to handle it on your own. Taking the next small step, whether it is getting tested, booking a checkup, or starting a conversation with someone you trust, is a powerful way to protect your well being.