STI Facts

Emotional Impact

The physical risks of sexual activity outside of marriage is not the whole story. Sex is a powerful and intimate act that affects the emotional and spiritual parts of men and women.

Young people having sex outside of a marriage relationship often have emotional difficulties such as:

  • Regret - 2 out of 3 sexually active teens say they wished they had waited to have sex.
  • Anger - 1 out of 5 young people ages 15-24 get an STI each year. Often they experience anger with their partner after contracting the STI.
  • Guilt - After sex young people often feel guilt for letting down people who are close to them. They may also experience guilt directed toward themselves if they had wanted to wait until marriage before having sex.
  • Depression - Sexually active teen girls are more likely to feel depressed than girls who have remained abstinent. They are also far more likely to think about or attempt suicide.

Source: "It's just sex, right?" The emotional impact of early sexual activity. 2007 The Medical Institute brochure.