Mutual monogamy

Mutual monogamy is a form of monogamy that exists when two partners agree to be sexually active with only one another.
Being in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship reduces the risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted infection (STI).[1] It
is one of the most reliable ways to avoid STIs.[2][3][4] Those who choose mutual monogamy can be tested before the sexual
relationship to be certain they are not infected. This strategy for the prevention of acquiring a sexually transmitted infection
requires that each partner remain faithful and does not engage in sexual activity with another partner.[5]

Mutual monogamy differs from serial monogamy which is a current monogamous relationship that has not been established in the
past and may not continue into the future. Serial monogamy may not result in the reduced risk of contracting a sexually
transmitted infection because the past sexual exposures to infection are brought into the new relationship, even though it may be
exclusive of other sexual partners. The risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted infection while in a serial monogamous
relationship is the same as the risk of those who have concurrent partners.[6] Those with a greater ability to communicate about
their commitment are likely to sustain the relationship.[7] When individuals are mutually monogamous, and are free from
STIs/HIV when they enter the relationship, the risk for being infected with STI/HIV acquisition from sexual intercourse is very
low.[8] A mutually monogamous relationship lowers the risk of HIV, cervicitis, and other sexually transmitted infections.[9]

A mutual monogamous sexual relationship often includes a pledge to stay with the partner and includes the desire for the
relationship to last, a psychological attachment and the lack of being able to find another partner. If these conditions remain a
priority for both, the "couple is likely committed and mutually monogamous."[8]

Being in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and has negative STI test lowers the
chance of acquiring gonorrhea.[10] It is also effective for lowering the risk of syphilis, chlamydia and pubic lice.[11][12][13][14]

The lack of a more precise definition of mutual monogamy in the literature confounds the ability to statistically assess its
effectiveness.[15]

References
1. "Girlfriends' Health" (https://www.cdc.gov/features/girlfriendshealth/index.html). Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. 22 April 2017. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
2. "Final Evidence Review: Gonorrhea: Screening - US Preventive Services Task Force" (https://www.uspreventives
ervicestaskforce.org/Page/Document/final-evidence-review40/gonorrhea-screening).
www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org.
3. "Evidence Synthesis Number 114, Behavioral Sexual Risk Reduction Counseling in Primary Care to Prevent
Sexually Transmitted Infections: An Updated Systematic Evidence Review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task
Force" (https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Home/GetFile/1/1703/sties114final/pdf). U.S. Preventive
Services Task Force. September 2014. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
4. "Pelvic Inflammatory Disease - CDC Fact Sheet" (https://www.cdc.gov/std/PID/STDFact-PID.htm). www.cdc.gov.
2017-10-04. Retrieved 2018-01-06.
5. "Many Men Choose Monogamy To Prevent Sexually Transmitted Diseases" (https://www.guttmacher.org/news-rel
ease/2005/many-men-choose-monogamy-prevent-sexually-transmitted-diseases). Guttmacher. 22 September
2005.
6. Norman, Robert A. (25 June 2010). "Preventive Dermatology" (https://books.google.com/books?id=sdD4RS0Dq
UYC&pg=PT491&lpg=PT491&dq=Mutual+Monogamy&source=bl&ots=ZpebpEnuXs&sig=Q_wrDZWWE1mACFY
lvJYYZ6XZoqw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjLiYrZ6IbYAhUE8IMKHRzHBQ84ChDoAQhKMAw#v=onepage&q=
Mutual+Monogamy&f=false). Springer Science & Business Media – via Google Books.
 7. Warren, Jocelyn T.; Harvey, S. Marie; Agnew, Christopher R. (13 December 2017). "One love: explicit monogamy
agreements among heterosexual young adult couples at increased risk of sexually transmitted infections".
Journal of Sex Research. 49 (2–3): 282–289. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.1015.1725 (https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/
summary?doi=10.1.1.1015.1725). doi:10.1080/00224499.2010.541952 (https://doi.org/10.1080%2F00224499.20
10.541952). PMID 21191869 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21191869).
8. Towner, Senna L.; Dolcini, M. Margaret; Harper, Gary W. (1 May 2015). "Romantic Relationship Dynamics of
Urban African American Adolescents: Patterns of Monogamy, Commitment, and Trust" (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.
gov/pmc/articles/PMC4681523). Youth & Society. 47 (3): 343–373. doi:10.1177/0044118X12462591 (https://doi.o
rg/10.1177%2F0044118X12462591). PMC 4681523 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4681523).
PMID 26691404 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26691404).
9. "Cervicitis" (https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/cervicitis.page). New York City Health
Department.
10. "Gonorrhea" (https://www.hhs.gov/opa/reproductive-health/sexually-transmitted-infections/gonorrhea/index.html).
Health and Human Services. 17 August 2016. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the
public domain.
11. http://www.health.pa.gov/My%20Health/Diseases%20and%20Conditions/Q-
T/14242L/Pages/557969.aspx#.WjEVQ0qnE2w
12. "Syphilis" (https://www.hhs.gov/opa/reproductive-health/sexually-transmitted-infections/syphilis/index.html).
Health and Human Services. 17 August 2016. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the
public domain.
13. "Chlamydia" (https://www.hhs.gov/opa/reproductive-health/sexually-transmitted-infections/chlamydia/index.html).
Health and Human Services. 17 August 2016. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the
public domain.
14. "Crabs - IDPH" (http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/crabs).
www.dph.illinois.gov. Illinois Department of Health.
15. Calsyn, Donald A.; Campbell, Aimee N.; Tross, Susan; Hatch-Maillette, Mary A. (1 September 2011). "Is
monogamy or committed relationship status a marker for low sexual risk among men in substance abuse
treatment? Clinical and methodological considerations"
(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3238678). The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse. 37
(5): 294–300. doi:10.3109/00952990.2011.596874 (https://doi.org/10.3109%2F00952990.2011.596874).
PMC 3238678 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3238678). PMID 21854271 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.
nih.gov/pubmed/21854271).

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