Sleeping with the wrong person can leave deep emotional scars. What starts as “a rush of passion” can quickly fade, replaced by regret when intimacy is shared with someone who does not “genuinely respect, value, or care about you.” Instead of joy, people are left with emptiness, questioning their worth and struggling with insecurity.

Separating sex from emotions is rarely simple. For many, “the two are intertwined,” turning casual encounters into tangled feelings of confusion, longing, or resentment that can linger for months. Closure is difficult, and future relationships may be approached with fear or mistrust.

The damage often extends beyond private emotions. If someone is already committed, the fallout can “devastate lives far beyond the individuals directly involved,” shattering trust and friendships. Even without betrayal, gossip and judgment can lead to public shame and damaged reputations.

Expectations also clash. One partner may hope for more, while the other sees it as temporary, leaving “at least one person feeling misled or abandoned.”

Physical risks add further weight—sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancies, and lifelong responsibilities. As the article notes, intimacy with the wrong person “is never just about one moment.”