Sex-related health problems happen more frequently than you might think. Learn the most common issues and how you can practice “safe” sex.
Sex is great for your health — it can lower your blood pressure, improve sleep, and boost your immune system. But doing the deed also has its risks.
Read on to discover six potential sexual hazards, plus tips to avoid them.
1. Penis Fracture
Can men “break” their penises even though there are no bones in the penis? Absolutely. A penial fracture occurs when the erect penis is suddenly bent, causing a tear in the tunica albuginea membrane. This membrane surrounds the core of the penis — the area responsible for erection — and if it tears, blood leaks out to the surrounding tissue. Men who experience a penial fracture will hear a cracking sound followed by severe pain, swelling, and dark bruising of the penis.
This injury usually occurs among men who are participating in vigorous sex and in some cases, aggressive masturbation. However, a penial fracture can occur anytime the penis is thrust against a solid surface like the perineum — the area between the anus and the scrotum in men and the area between the anus and the vulva in women.
If you do experience a penial fracture, seek immediate medical attention. Your doctor can usually detect a fracture with a physical exam and surgery is usually recommended. If left untreated, a penial fracture can result in erectile dysfunction and deformity.
2. Vaginal Cuts and Tears
Women who are sexually active usually experience a vaginal cut or tear at least once in their lives. These lacerations can make sex uncomfortable or painful, but they usually aren’t serious.
Vaginal dryness is the most common cause of vaginal cuts and tears. Whether you’re experiencing vaginal dryness because of insufficient arousal, hormone changes, or stress, there are ways to relieve dryness:
- Use lubricants.
- Change positions.
- Don’t forget foreplay.
If the cuts are substantial, don’t stop bleeding, or become infected, see your doctor immediately.
3. Urinary Tract Infections
Sex is a common cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women. During sex, bacteria from the genital area and anus can enter a woman’s urethra, bladder, or kidneys causing UTI symptoms like frequent and painful urination, low back pain, and abdominal pain. Prevent sex-related UTIs by practicing these tips:
- Urinate before and after sex.
- Wash your hands before and after sex, and after contact with the rectum.
- Drink lots of fluids.
4. Sexual Headaches
Headaches caused by sexual activity aren’t usually cause for concern, but sometimes they can signal serious health problems like low blood pressure, brain tumor, or bleeding into the brain.
Sexual headaches occur in both men and women typically before or during an orgasm, or immediately following sex. These headaches can feel like a sudden throbbing pain, or a dull ache that slowly builds as sex intensifies.
Consult your doctor if it’s the first time you’ve experienced this type of headache, or if it’s accompanied by other symptoms such as stiff neck, vomiting, confusion, or trouble with coordination.
5. Heart Attack
Vigorous sexual activity nearly triples a person’s heart attack risk in the hours immediately afterward, especially if the person isn’t very active, according to a 2011 analysis published in the Journal of the American Medical Association
While vigorous sex can trigger a heart attack in otherwise inactive people, it doesn’t happen very often. Here are some red flags to watch for:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular or racing heartbeat
- Other signs
6. Stroke
Sex will rarely cause a stroke, unless you have other risk factors such as a minor heart defect called a patent foramen ovale (PFO). Typically a PFO does not cause symptoms or complications, but stroke during sex can occur in people with PFO. The link between PFO and stroke is still unclear, and research is ongoing. According to the Cleveland Clinic, less than one percent of people with PFO have a stroke.
Signs of stroke include:
- Difficulty speaking
- A severe headache
- Feeling weak or numb on one side of your body
- Coordination trouble
- Seeing double
Tuesday, November 27, 2018