The Risks of Casual Sex Relationships for Women

Casual relationships can seem like a great idea at first. All of the fun with none of the messy romantic side! You may be considering this arrangement with a friend or companion, but there are some things you should know before you get involved. Men and women respond to sex very differently. Of course, we all know that sex is a very enjoyable experience. No one can deny that! But there are some elements to it that affect women more than they do men, and that is where the risk comes in.

Men are very carnal creatures, and can have sex with virtually anything without getting attached. They are not as emotional as women and are not built to be so. For some reason, guys are able to completely separate sex from their emotions, so they have less to worry about in casual relationships. It's arguable that the "friends with benefits" scenario is the ideal relationship for a lot of guys.

Women are different, though. While you may believe that you are emotionally strong enough and want this arrangement badly enough that you can handle the situation, your hormones don't agree. The female body produces oxytocin during sexual relations, a chemical that will make you feel attached and affectionate towards whoever you are sharing the experience with. No amount of pre-arranged "no strings attached" discussions can stop oxytocin from being released during sex. It can be close to impossible for a woman to avoid having feelings for the man she is sleeping with, especially if it is on a regular basis.

This is not to say that having a casual sex relationship with someone is a terrible choice, only that it can be risky for a woman. Knowing that you are entering into an agreement with someone who has no romantic feelings for you is fine, but you must also acknowledge the possibility that you may develop feelings for this man and he is very, very unlikely to reciprocate those feelings.

If you are still determined to have a friend with benefits, use caution. If you feel yourself getting attached, pull away from the situation. This can be especially tricky if the person you are having casual sex with is an actual platonic friend that you care about. You have to recognize that you might be doing damage to the friendship as well as risking heartbreak on your end. Think it through before agreeing to the casual relationship, and if you have any doubts, stay away!