'Snowmanning' is the latest dating trend that is proving to cause a lot of issues for Brits this Christmas - now doctors and relationship experts have chimed in to warn people of the dangers
Doctors have issued a stark warning over the 'snowmanning' dating trend that could riddle Brits with STIs this Christmas - oh, and unwanted babies.
Many will be driving home for the festive season with thoughts of family, food and getting on the sesh at their old watering hole on their mind.
And it looks like the latter might cause some major issues as inhibitions go out the window. Powered by booze and festive cheer, people are more likely to have casual sex this time of year and fall quickly for each other.
However, once the Baby Guinness has worn off and the mistletoe is taken down, that connection you think you've found with the boy you used to sit next to in school or the 'vibe' with the girl from your first retail job will most likely fizzle out very quickly.
This is called 'snowmanning' - when your new Christmastime beau essentially 'melts' away after the new year. While your Christmas love story was short-lived, the consequences might not be as doctors and dating experts are warning this boost of casual sex can welcome all sorts of nasty STIs - and babies - through the door.
"Christmas is a time for celebration and presents a great opportunity to socialise and find someone special," Rachael Lloyd, relationship expert at eHarmony, said.
"However, once the drinks stop flowing and decorations come down, sometimes that initial burst of chemistry wears off. Our research shows that lots of people then retreat from their new relationships, a trend we are coining 'snowmanning'."
The term was first penned back in 2019 after people likened a snowman melting away with warmer weather to people quickly growing out of their Christmas founded relationships. However, there's been an uptick in casual sex and STIs since then.
Apparently, the people most likely to be snowmanned are those between the ages of 18-34 and Dr. Crystal Wyllie, a GP at Asda Online Doctor has got a big warning for these seeking out casual sex and short-term relationships over Christmas.
“December is a time of celebration and connection, but it’s important to stay informed about sexual health," Dr Wyllie warned.
“Planning ahead with contraception, or accessing support after unplanned sexual activity, is key to enjoying the festive season while staying safe."
And apparently this is also the time of year where women are most likely to forget to take their pill. So you could be dealing with an STI or a baby at the end of your 'snowmanning' experience.
According to to gynaecological healthcare company Daye and cycle health tracking Clue, they found in a study that December sees the highest rates of women forgetting to take their birth control pill - or take it late.
Looking at the data, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve are the most common dates in the year for women forgetting to take their pills...
So if you participate in 'snowmanning' you could be left with a broken heart, a STI and a child at the end of it - 'tis the season for it!
English (US) ·