Heavy drinking, and more particularly binge drinking (that is, consuming large amounts of alcoholic over a short period of time with the clear intention of becoming drunk) is often accompanied by casual, unprotected sex, thus increasing the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and unwanted pregnancy. An American study by Ingersoll and others came to this conclusion after conducting research with 2 012 female university students.

Roughly two-thirds of the female students drank more than the recommended safe limit for alcohol consumption, and an equal number had indulged in the previous 90 days. Almost all the sexually active women use one or another form of contraceptive, but 18% of them used it carelessly, hence the risk of unwanted pregnancy. According to the researchers, 44% of these women ran a potential risk of contracting an STD because of non-use or ineffective use of condoms.

Excessive drinking makes ineffective use of contraceptives and condoms all the more likely. Higher education institutions should therefore encourage the use of contraceptives and condoms for prevention of STDs and, so say the researchers, will have to coordinate their drives against excessive alcohol consumption with campaigns for reproductive health.

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