Over the weekend I came across an article on F-Listed entitled “How Many ‘Indirect’ Sexual Partners Have You Had?” I thought it was going to be a similar post to one I did a while back on whether or not the number of people you’ve slept with should be private, but I was mistaken.
British-based Lloyds Pharmacy has created what they call a “Sex Degrees of Separation Calculator.” Basically, this program allows you to see how many people you’ve really slept with based on your partners’ sexual history. The numbers are calculated by how old you are and the age of all of your partners at the time you had sex. Once all the numbers are crunched the program spits out a figure that is sure to surprise most people and hopefully put things into perspective.
Using myself as a guinea pig I decided to input my information into the calculator and was greeted with a number that toppled 4 million indirect partners. Yikes! Keep in mind the fact that I’m almost 33 years of age, have been single for the better part of the past decade, and included asterisks partners (people that I may not have had intercourse with but did exchange fluids with) played a role in the outcome. But still, that number is tres scary.
Despite popular belief, I’m not a man whore, I just had a few wild years. Yeah, I’ve racked up a few notches in my belt but I can still name each individual. However, this sex calculator includes everyone that they’ve slept with and everyone that those people have slept with too. The number grows exponentially so even a virgin that has sex with someone that’s only had two previous partners could be indirectly sleeping with hundreds, if not thousands, of people on their first time together.
If that ain’t scary, I don’t know what is.
According to the Lloyd Pharmacy homepage, “It’s important to be aware of your sexual health. Cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are on the up. Chlamydia alone increased by eight per cent between 2006 and 2008. If you do not practice safe sex you are putting yourself at risk of contracting an STI.”
While the sex calculator is merely an estimation of your number of indirect partners, it does “highlight how exposed you can be to STIs if you do not practice safe sex.” I’ve said/written it before and I’ll reiterate it here: Safe sex might not be the cure for every STI/STD but it does make for smarter sex.
Just because someone looks good/healthy doesn’t mean they are. It’s important to get tested, stay protected and most importantly talk to your partner about their past and sexual habits. I was brave enough to calculate my indirect sexual partners and put the number out there; how many of you are willing to do the same and discuss that with the next person you sleep with?
If you’re concerned about your sexual health, Lloyd Pharmacy suggests you talk to your general practitioner, pharmacist or visit your local clinic.
CLICK HERE to access the Sex Calculator.
Have you ever thought about the number of people you’ve slept with indirectly? Can you recall the name of every single person you’ve slept with? Did you fill out the sex calculator? If so, were you surprised by the number? Was it more than mine? Would you be willing to share that number with your next/current partner? Does that number or the idea of it make you change your perspective on casual sex? Do you ever ask your partner(s) how many people they’ve been with? Do you think more couples should have that discussion before engaging in sex?
Speak your piece…












{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
LoL Good ish
Nice read, and I’m sure *many* will be surprised at their number of indirects haha
I went to this website and put in the number for when I was 22 (1) and got back 92,280 direct & indirect sex partners … that means that the ONE person I had sex with supposedly had 92,279 OTHER direct & indirect partners … THAT’S preposterous!
One of my many reasons for waiting until I was 21/22 was because of the whole indirect sex thing disgusting me. I think this is a good discussion to have yet I do not think that the calculator is a good representation of a person’s promiscuity or lack thereof.