KEY POINTS:
Indigestion, hangovers, lingering gossip and debauched career-ending moments are all possible outcomes from the office Christmas party.
And now a Waikato doctor says you can add unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.
Dr Jane Morgan, who is a sexual health physician with the Waikato District Health Board, said December saw a sharp increase in people "wanting to be sure" they were not pregnant or had not contracted a sexually transmitted infection or disease after dalliances with colleagues at the end-of-year office bash.
"There's a definite increase in the number of visits this time of year... we have more people coming in for check-ups at this time of year probably than any other.
"People come in after their office parties saying, 'Oh, I need to be sure'."
Dr Morgan said these visits normally peaked around the New Year.
"But in terms of checking up for infections we would probably start getting busy in January when people start arriving back from the beaches."
Her claims appear to be backed up by a recent survey of 1168 workers by a condom maker which found 49 per cent would like to have sex at an office Christmas party given the chance.
Private investigator Kerrie Pihema said a combination of alcohol and reduced inhibitions could lead to infidelity up to and during the Christmas and New Year period.
"If you suspect your spouse of being romantically involved with someone at work, we strongly recommend you attend the office party. Do not be put off by your partner suggesting the Christmas party is a 'closed shop' or that you will not know anyone there. Arrange for a babysitter if you have children, wear your fancy attire and turn up."
She said that if people had genuine concerns about their partner and their workplace fling, Christmas parties were a source of information "too valuable to your relationship to miss".
Family Planning spokeswoman Sue Reid could not confirm Dr Morgan's claims but encouraged appointments with sexual health clinics or local GPs to ensure people had the correct contraception and sufficient supplies for the holiday period.
She said July was the busiest month for dispensing the emergency birth control pill.
Dr Morgan said adults tended to be more gung-ho about their sexual safety than adolescents, with many believing they were less likely to pick up an STD.
"But given that one in 10 people have chlamydia and one in five people have herpes and 70 per cent have wart viruses, you probably don't have to have sex with that many people."
