Anal sex: Women at high risk of infections, new study shows

Women are not being duly advised about the physical and psychological risks of anal sex, exposing them to infections and other health complications, new research suggests. The authors of the study who are two female NHS surgeons claimed doctors are shying away from discussing these risks with women who engage in anal sex, DailyMail reports.

Social taboo

It is estimated that over a quarter of women in Britain and the United States have engaged in anal sexual intercourse with their male partners out of curiosity or were pressured into trying it. In a paper published in the British Medical Journal, BMJ, Dr Tabitha Gana and Dr Lesley Hunt, said having penetrative sex through the anus can cause pain, bleeding, incontinence and long-term injuries.

They suggested that beyond the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, doctors are failing to inform their female patients of the other risks associated with anal sex due to ‘societal taboos’.

Increased rates of faecal incontinence and anal sphincter injury have been reported in women who have anal intercourse. Women are at a higher risk of incontinence than men because of their different anatomy and the effects of hormones, pregnancy, and childbirth on the pelvic floor.

Risk of missed/delayed diagnosis

The pair of researchers found that almost 30% of British women aged 16 to 24 say they have tried anal sex, adding that a good number of these acts were done under the influence of alcohol, drugs pressure from their partners.

The surgeons say by not broaching the subject, doctors could misdiagnose conditions related to the act when patients present with certain symptoms. They study concluded:

By avoiding these discussions, we may be failing a generation of young women, who are unaware of the risks. With better information, women who want anal sex would be able to protect themselves more effectively from possible harm.

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