Psychologically normal but medically unsafe, warn experts
Explaining the psychology of swingers, Dr Bryan Yeo, consultant
psychiatrist at the Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, said: "Swingers
are neither abnormal nor mentally ill. Clinically, they are
considered more impulsive than the average individual."
.
People with tendencies to swing might also have perfectly normal
sex lives but probably lack opportunities to express
themselves.
.
"Mentally, a swinger is not looking to settle down with a partner
he finds. It can be tied to a lack of personal security. In some
cases, intra-personal relationships of the subject may be affected,
but not seriously," said Dr Yeo.
.
Since swingers' parties are by invitation only, the feeling of
exclusivity adds to the allure. "Those who attended swinger's
parties purely for sexual gratification tend to take pride in the
fact that they were part of an exclusive gathering. They might
prepare themselves for future events and even look forward to it.
They treat it as their exclusive activity that distinguishes them
from everyone else," he said.
.
But after the short-term thrill, swingers may feel emotionally
empty, said experts.
.
"Some patients who need constant sexual gratification could loose
their self-esteem in the long run if they stop engaging in
promiscuous sex after getting hooked onto the habit. Patients are
treated entirely on a case-to-case basis," said Dr Yeo.
.
While counselling can address these psychological issues, there are
other potential hazards of engaging in such activities that are
more serious and warrant immediate attention.
.
Said Dr Moti Vaswani, a consultant family physician who has been
practising in Singapore for 35 years: "The chief medical hazards
are transfer of sexually transmitted diseases and Hepatitis B.
Apart from Aids, people can also be infected with gonorrhoea (a
condition characterised by discharge of pus from the penis after
sex with an affected partner, followed by a burning sensation
during urination) or syphilis, in which sores appear on the
penis."
.
The use of a condom makes such practises "safer", but it does not
eliminate the risk completely.
.
"I would say that the idea and habit of promiscuous sex is
unhealthy," he said.
Explaining the psychology of swingers, Dr Bryan Yeo, consultant
psychiatrist at the Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, said: "Swingers
are neither abnormal nor mentally ill. Clinically, they are
considered more impulsive than the average individual."
.
People with tendencies to swing might also have perfectly normal
sex lives but probably lack opportunities to express
themselves.
.
"Mentally, a swinger is not looking to settle down with a partner
he finds. It can be tied to a lack of personal security. In some
cases, intra-personal relationships of the subject may be affected,
but not seriously," said Dr Yeo.
.
Since swingers' parties are by invitation only, the feeling of
exclusivity adds to the allure. "Those who attended swinger's
parties purely for sexual gratification tend to take pride in the
fact that they were part of an exclusive gathering. They might
prepare themselves for future events and even look forward to it.
They treat it as their exclusive activity that distinguishes them
from everyone else," he said.
.
But after the short-term thrill, swingers may feel emotionally
empty, said experts.
.
"Some patients who need constant sexual gratification could loose
their self-esteem in the long run if they stop engaging in
promiscuous sex after getting hooked onto the habit. Patients are
treated entirely on a case-to-case basis," said Dr Yeo.
.
While counselling can address these psychological issues, there are
other potential hazards of engaging in such activities that are
more serious and warrant immediate attention.
.
Said Dr Moti Vaswani, a consultant family physician who has been
practising in Singapore for 35 years: "The chief medical hazards
are transfer of sexually transmitted diseases and Hepatitis B.
Apart from Aids, people can also be infected with gonorrhoea (a
condition characterised by discharge of pus from the penis after
sex with an affected partner, followed by a burning sensation
during urination) or syphilis, in which sores appear on the
penis."
.
The use of a condom makes such practises "safer", but it does not
eliminate the risk completely.
.
"I would say that the idea and habit of promiscuous sex is
unhealthy," he said. Explaining the psychology of swingers, Dr
Bryan Yeo, consultant psychiatrist at the Mount Elizabeth Medical
Centre, said: "Swingers are neither abnormal nor mentally ill.
Clinically, they are considered more impulsive than the average
individual."
.
People with tendencies to swing might also have perfectly normal
sex lives but probably lack opportunities to express
themselves.
.
"Mentally, a swinger is not looking to settle down with a partner
he finds. It can be tied to a lack of personal security. In some
cases, intra-personal relationships of the subject may be affected,
but not seriously," said Dr Yeo.
.
Since swingers' parties are by invitation only, the feeling of
exclusivity adds to the allure. "Those who attended swinger's
parties purely for sexual gratification tend to take pride in the
fact that they were part of an exclusive gathering. They might
prepare themselves for future events and even look forward to it.
They treat it as their exclusive activity that distinguishes them
from everyone else," he said.
.
But after the short-term thrill, swingers may feel emotionally
empty, said experts.
.
"Some patients who need constant sexual gratification could loose
their self-esteem in the long run if they stop engaging in
promiscuous sex after getting hooked onto the habit. Patients are
treated entirely on a case-to-case basis," said Dr Yeo.
.
While counselling can address these psychological issues, there are
other potential hazards of engaging in such activities that are
more serious and warrant immediate attention.
.
Said Dr Moti Vaswani, a consultant family physician who has been
practising in Singapore for 35 years: "The chief medical hazards
are transfer of sexually transmitted diseases and Hepatitis B.
Apart from Aids, people can also be infected with gonorrhoea (a
condition characterised by discharge of pus from the penis after
sex with an affected partner, followed by a burning sensation
during urination) or syphilis, in which sores appear on the
penis."
.
The use of a condom makes such practises "safer", but it does not
eliminate the risk completely.
.
"I would say that the idea and habit of promiscuous sex is
unhealthy," he said. Explaining the psychology of swingers, Dr
Bryan Yeo, consultant psychiatrist at the Mount Elizabeth Medical
Centre, said: "Swingers are neither abnormal nor mentally ill.
Clinically, they are considered more impulsive than the average
individual."
.
People with tendencies to swing might also have perfectly normal
sex lives but probably lack opportunities to express
themselves.
.
"Mentally, a swinger is not looking to settle down with a partner
he finds. It can be tied to a lack of personal security. In some
cases, intra-personal relationships of the subject may be affected,
but not seriously," said Dr Yeo.
.
Since swingers' parties are by invitation only, the feeling of
exclusivity adds to the allure. "Those who attended swinger's
parties purely for sexual gratification tend to take pride in the
fact that they were part of an exclusive gathering. They might
prepare themselves for future events and even look forward to it.
They treat it as their exclusive activity that distinguishes them
from everyone else," he said.
.
But after the short-term thrill, swingers may feel emotionally
empty, said experts.
.
"Some patients who need constant sexual gratification could loose
their self-esteem in the long run if they stop engaging in
promiscuous sex after getting hooked onto the habit. Patients are
treated entirely on a case-to-case basis," said Dr Yeo.
.
While counselling can address these psychological issues, there are
other potential hazards of engaging in such activities that are
more serious and warrant immediate attention.
.
Said Dr Moti Vaswani, a consultant family physician who has been
practising in Singapore for 35 years: "The chief medical hazards
are transfer of sexually transmitted diseases and Hepatitis B.
Apart from Aids, people can also be infected with gonorrhoea (a
condition characterised by discharge of pus from the penis after
sex with an affected partner, followed by a burning sensation
during urination) or syphilis, in which sores appear on the
penis."
.
The use of a condom makes such practises "safer", but it does not
eliminate the risk completely.
.
"I would say that the idea and habit of promiscuous sex is
unhealthy," he said.
