If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. The pros explain whether or not that no-strings-attached connection is emotionally healthy—and if it will ever lead to more. At one time or another, many of us have been in purely sexual relationships. Whether you've agreed to be friends with benefits or it's a one-time romance with no strings attached, there are plenty of different ways to enjoy strictly physical connections with other people. But when casual sex happens with someone you care or start to care about, it's normal to think about putting down roots.
That would, of course, flip the deal on its head—and can you ever really turn casual sex into a serious relationship? If your casual partner seems worthy of marathon phone sessions, monogamous arrangements, or even falling in love, you might find yourself dreaming of ways to make it official. Luckily, it's absolutely possible—and not uncommon—for the relationship to become something more. Like all matters of the heart, starting a new relationship doesn't happen instantly, but it's easier when you're already on close terms with the person occupying your thoughts.
Meet the Expert. Below, read on to learn about more about casual sex, including the three main types, the key pros and cons, its impact on your emotional health, and whether or not it's worth transitioning into a full-fledged relationship, according to several mental and sexual health experts. We also answer your most pressing question: how to tell if, like you, your partner is open to something more. Since relationships are comprised of two individual, unique people, there's no single answer that can determine how each one will unfurl.
So rather than trying to predict the future, it's better to understand what type of relationship you have with your casual partner to decide what you want moving forward. Paul Joannides, Psy. It might be a one-night stand, or it may have its own jagged lifeline.
Specifically, a one-night stand involves a scenario where two consenting adults have sex and nothing more, says Okerayi. If your no-strings-attached relationship moves beyond a single one-night stand, maintaining open communication is key.
