From “ghosting” and “bun” to “love bombing” and “damping,” smart netizens are hard at work categorizing new behaviors that people may encounter when they go online.
While all of these new terms may have emerged in recent years, they describe actions that have long been common among couples in love. Labeling these behaviors can help us better understand confusing situations and give us tools to respond to them.
So, what is “snowmanning” and how does it relate to STDs?
Continue reading to learn more.
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What are STDs?
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections you can get through sex – mainly through unprotected vaginal, anal and oral sex.
Some STDs are known. Infections such as Chlamydia, Gonorrheaand HIV are routinely tested for in most sexual health tests.
However, other, lesser-known infections can also harm sexual health. Infections such as Hepatitis B, Trichomonasand Mycoplasma it can be spread easily and it can be difficult for infected people to know they have it.
This is why Better2know encourages all our patients to get regular STD tests if they are sexually active. You may want to consider getting tested if:
- Unprotected sex with a new partner
- You have started a sexual relationship with a new partner
- Sex with multiple partners
Many people also choose to be tested for STDs as part of a regular health check-up. Sometimes, you never know what you have until you try it.
This leads us perfectly to the “snowman”.
What is snowmanning?
“Snowmanning” is a term used to describe a courtship dynamic where one person’s interest in another “melts” over a short period of time, usually a few days or weeks.
This dynamic is nothing new. Interest in a new partner could fade very quickly in many relationships. There is nothing problematic about this in itself. Sometimes, romantic and sexual interest doesn’t last.
The term tends to describe relationships that form quickly and intensely in the winter months, especially during the holidays, before disappearing quickly and permanently in the new year.
However, it can be problematic when these temporary romantic interests overlap with a sexual encounter.
How are STIs related to snowmanning?
A large proportion of adults in the UK regularly have unprotected sex and do not perceive much risk associated with the activity.
In one study published in 2018, 64% of men and 73% of women in the UK perceived that they were at no risk of STDs. Additionally, more than 70% of men and over 85% of women were classified as having unsafe sex in the past year. Those who had a prevalent STD also perceived themselves to be at no or no risk of getting another infection. From 2022, 394,453 new STDs were reportedwith large increases in gonorrhea and syphilis infections in the past decade.
Engaging in sexual activity with a new partner, especially unprotected sex, can increase the chance of unwanted STDs. If you have sex and this new person slips out of your life, you could be left with a nasty infection.
If you experience an avalanche, you may not necessarily get an STD, but it may also increase your exposure. If you get caught up in an intense sexual relationship, you may be tempted to engage in unsafe sexual behaviors, which may put you at greater risk of contracting an STD.
Such a scenario can be very common during the holiday seasonwhen people are more likely to contract STDs due to increased drug and alcohol use, joining new sexual networks and reduced condom use.
How can I protect my sexual health?
You can protect your sexual health by taking the following precautions:
- Use a condom during every sexual intercourse, unless you are in a committed monogamous relationship
- When sharing sex toys, cover the toy during each use with a fresh condom. Do not reuse condoms that you have already used
- Have open and honest conversations about the state of your sexual health
- Carefully weigh the risks and benefits of any sexual intercourse
And, of course, one of the most important things you can do for your sexual health is to get regular sexual health exams.
Final thoughts
Navigating the modern dating world can be difficult. You may never know how to act, react and think in certain situations.
But staying safe should always be your first priority. Maintaining your sexual health is vital to ensuring your overall health and the health of the people you care about.
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