Don’t Try This At Home: The Sex Injury Edition
Okay, try it…just be careful
Usually, when we think of safe sex, we think about using condoms to protect us from sexually transmitted diseases. But in some cases, even with protection, sex can still be unsafe because we just get too carried away. And when this happens, it can lead to injuries.
In fact, it happens a lot more than you may think. According to a survey by Superdrug Online Doctor of about 1,600 people in the United States and Europe, 62 percent have had a sex-related injury — and in around 13 percent of cases, the injury was so serious that they had to be admitted to the emergency room.
“While our findings suggest sex can lead to injuries fairly often, you don’t need to feel you’re rolling the dice with each intimate encounter.”
And what sex positions were most likely to cause an injury? The survey found:
- Doggy style (15.9 percent men, 20.5 percent women)
- Missionary (19.2 percent men, 16.3 percent women)
- Switching between positions (6.3 percent men, 9.4 percent women)
- Cowgirl (7.7 percent men, 5.7 percent women)
- Standing (8.1 percent men, 4.5 percent women)
- Holding legs up (2 percent men, 5.5 percent women)
- Reverse cowgirl (5.9 percent men, 1 percent women)
- Anal sex (3.8 percent men, 2.9 percent women)
- 69 standing up (4 percent men, 2.4 percent women)
- Oral sex (3.6 percent men, 1.8 percent women)
Passionate Hearts Lead to Aching Bodies
Since lovemaking injuries from various positions were reported, it’s not surprising that people had different kinds of injuries from doing the deed. Among men, the most common injuries were:
- Back pain (41 percent)
- Cramped muscle (34 percent)
- Sore penis (18 percent)
- Sprained body part (18 percent)
- Accidentally punched, kicked, or injured by partner (16 percent)
- Tripped, fell, or stumbled (16 percent)
- Bruised body part (14 percent)
- Rug burn (14 percent)
- Shortness of breath (7 percent)
- Slipped in the shower (7 percent)
For women, the most common injuries were:
- Sore vagina (57 percent)
- Cramped muscle (35 percent)
- Back pain (31 percent)
- Bruised body part (29 percent)
- UTI or STI (29 percent)
- Vaginal tearing (28 percent)
- Rug burn (25 percent)
- Accidentally punched, kicked, or injured by partner (18 percent)
- Tripped, fell, or stumbled (16 percent)
- Sore nipples (16 percent)
After going through something like this during sex, it can be embarrassing for the partners involved — particularly if they have to explain their injuries to medical professionals when they seek treatment. So how did survey respondents handle it?
“As with most sexual matters, the key to safety and shared enjoyment is communication.”
Despite whatever embarrassment they may have felt, most of them reported that they told the truth. In fact, 58 percent of men and 61 percent of women responded “I told the truth, that it was related to a sex injury.” Others were not so forthcoming and gave the following answers:
- “I lied and said the injury was related to a non-sexual event.” (26 percent men, 17 percent women)
- “I said I would prefer not to say.” (9 percent men, 4 percent women)
- “I didn’t say anything” (7 percent men, 18 percent women)
Superdrug Online Doctor points out that although these situations sound like definite “don’t try this at home” moments, they don’t have to be. With open communication and understanding, many of these sex injuries can be avoided.
“While our findings suggest sex can lead to injuries fairly often, you don’t need to feel you’re rolling the dice with each intimate encounter. Nor should you steer clear of positions you and your partner enjoy just because others have hurt themselves attempting them,” explained the blog post detailing the study. “As with most sexual matters, the key to safety and shared enjoyment is communication. Expressing your preferences and concerns with your partner can help prevent injury — and likely improve your pleasure as well.”
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Source:
Intimate Injuries. Superdrug Online Doctor. https://onlinedoctor.superdrug.com/intimate-injuries/