Sex can often be a minefield. Negotiating health, emotions and relationships can tax even the most carefree person. Love, indeed, is not for the weak.
This minefield can become even more explosive when sex enters the mainstream conversation, introducing the specter of collective judgment about our most intimate actions, thoughts and feelings.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the current debate surrounding the idea of ’body measurements’.
So what’s going on here? What is a body count and why is everyone talking about it? And how does it relate to STDs?
Continue reading to learn more.
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What is a “body count”?
The term “body count”, in modern usage (especially on the internet), refers to the number of sexual partners someone has had in their lifetime.
Counting your sexual partners is nothing new. People have been doing it for a long time.
However, the term “body count” is a relatively new phenomenon that was used in the mid-2010s and further popularized after 2020 on the social media app TikTok. In practice, people were interviewing strangersoften in vox-pop interviews in some kind of public square, about their body measurements and their attitudes about them.
If you think the term is strangely aggressive to describe intimate relationships, you’re not wrong.
The term comes from military terminology to describe the number of enemy combatants a soldier eliminates during an engagement. It is likely that the term is widely used due to the popularity of online gaming – particularly multiplayer first-person games.
This terminology is easily mapped to the world of online dating – the place where most young people meet sexual partners, which has been successfully gamified by dating apps. In an online space that encourages the objectification of potential mates and the consumption of sexual experiences, terms like “body count” may be appropriate.
Why do people talk about body measurements?
For various social, cultural and religious reasons, there is great concern about the number of sexual partners one has had.
It is common, for example, for people to feel inadequate because they have not had enough sexual experiences. At the other end of the spectrum, some people may feel like they’ve had too much.
Here’s the thing when it comes to body measurements: many people feel like they haven’t gotten the “right” amount. Failure to meet this (completely arbitrary) standard can cause feelings of anxiety and shame.
These feelings can spill over into the public discourse. Sites like Reddit and Quora are full of threads and message boards about this topic, with often hundreds or thousands of people contributing to discussions, and it’s easy to find people talking about it on social media sites like TikTok, X and Instagram.
Many young people negotiate their transition to adulthood through sexual experiences alongside other milestones such as careers, buying a home, and starting a family. As with these other goalposts, people want to get these experiences “right”.
Does body measurement really matter?
It can, but not in the way most people think about these things.
People who worry about having the “right” number of sexual partners are interested in making a value judgment. However, there is nothing inherently right or wrong about having ninety sexual partners or none at all.
Other people may use body measurements to determine suitability for a romantic partner.
Some may worry that someone with a high body count may not be suitable for monogamous relationships. Others may believe that a low body count may indicate prudence or a lack of confidence.
However, such concerns tend to be based on generalizations, and those generalizations may not reflect the individual’s circumstances.
If someone has a high body count, does that mean they have an STD?
With all of the above being said, there is one area where the number of sexual partners you’ve had can have a tangible impact on your life: your sexual health.
It’s no secret that sexually transmitted infections (STDs) are spread through sexual activity. Although the best way to make sure you don’t get an STD is to remain abstinent, that’s not realistic for many people.
With every new sexual relationship you start, you run the risk of being exposed to an STD, especially if you don’t know the person’s sexual health status. Statistically, the more sexual partners you have, the more likely you are to get infected.
However, this is not the whole story.
The number of partners someone has had is only one aspect of their sexual history. Someone who practices safe sex, gets tested for STDs regularly, and communicates openly with their sexual partners will be less likely to get an STD than someone who has a small number of high-risk encounters.
You can also get STDs outside of sex. For example, you can get STDs like herpes and HPV from skin-to-skin contact. STDs such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV can also be contracted through blood transfusions, unsterile tattoo equipment, and sharing injection drug needles.
Should I have sex with someone with a high body count?
You can if you want.
However, if you are concerned about someone’s sexual history, you and your partner may want to be tested for STDs.
The examination will give you some clarity about the state of your partner’s sexual health. From there, you can decide if you want to continue the relationship.
This is a critical step in protecting your sexual health and can lay the foundation for a healthy and trusting relationship in the future.
Don’t leave your sexual health to chance. Book a sexual health test with Beter2Know today.
Are people with high or low body numbers “bad”?
No. There is nothing inherently “bad” about any number of past sexual experiences.
The number of sexual partners someone has had or hasn’t had can be the result of a complex constellation of life experiences, preferences, and cultural influences that have nothing to do with their worth. It may also have nothing to do with someone’s suitability for a sexual or romantic relationship.
If you struggle with the thought that your partner has a certain “body gauge,” you may want to ask yourself why you feel this way. Where do these feelings come from, and what might they tell you about any beliefs you may have about sex, partnership, and relationships?
Doing this introspection could reveal what you value in a sexual partner and how you want to conduct your relationship.
Final thoughts
A person’s “body number” may or may not tell you something about whether you want to start a sexual relationship. However, people with a large number of past or recent sexual partners may have a moderate risk of getting an STD.
If you are concerned about the possibility of contracting an STD, get tested today with Better2Know. Take advantage of our home test kits to test for STDs from the comfort of your own home.
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