Love hurts: Seven common sex injuries

Love may be a contact sport, but it does not come with a warning label.

And while most bedroom bruises may be dismissed in the name of naughty fun, sex-related injuries can instantly turn passion into pain.

And it’s not something you’d want to explain at the office water cooler chinwag the next day.

Medical practitioner Dr Jonathan Redelinghuys said that sex injuries are not as rare as people like to think.

“The emergency room sees a fair number of these cases. People often do not talk about it, but it happens more often than anyone realises,” he said. “And these kinds of injuries are entirely preventable.”

Broken Penis

There is no bone, but a penis can still be fractured.

“It usually happens during vigorous sex or when the angle is wrong and force is applied. You will hear a pop, followed by immediate pain, bruising and swelling,” Dr Redelinghuys said.

What happens is that the sponge-like chambers that fill with blood to create an erection can tear. It is as painful as it sounds.

“It is important to treat it quickly. If left alone, scar tissue can form, leading to permanent bending and sexual dysfunction,” he added. Get medical attention as quickly as possible, he added.

‘I slipped and fell on it’

Missing Objects

The old “I slipped and fell on it” line might get a raised eyebrow, but it is a story heard often enough in trauma units, said Dr Redelinghuys.

Objects become stuck in the rectum and beyond more often than people think.

Objects not designed for anal use, such as deodorant cans, remote controls, and even lightbulbs, can get stuck where they should have been.

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“The rectum works a bit like a vacuum. Once something is inside, the muscles can pull it further in, and it gets harder to retrieve,” said Dr Redelinghuys.  

If it does not have a flared base, it can disappear.

“Doctors do not care how it got there; we just want to get it out safely. But prevention is simple: use toys that are actually designed for the job,” he said.

Bad backs and pulled muscles

Sex can be a workout. And like any exercise routine, it comes with a risk of injury.

Showers, slippery tiles, overambition, and surprise lifts of a partner are the usual suspects.

“Sex-related back injuries usually involve muscle strain, but we do see herniated discs from time to time,” he said.

While most strains settle with rest and painkillers, Dr Redelinghuys said numbness, tingling or shooting pain could be a sign of something more serious.

“Listen to your body. If it feels wrong, stop.”

Good lubrication is a non-negotiable

Friction burns and grazes

When things get dry or a little too enthusiastic, abrasions can happen.

“Insufficient lubrication is a big cause of vaginal tearing, and that can make sex very painful long after the fact,” Dr Redelinghuys said.

“We also see penile abrasions, especially from teeth during oral sex.”

Most minor grazes heal on their own, but if they become swollen, red, or start weeping, they might be infected, and antibiotics may be needed.

Dr Redelinghuys also warned that not using lubrication appropriately can lead to vaginal or anal tissue tearing when lust overrides common sense.

Allergic reactions

Latex condoms are often the cause, but not the only one.

“Redness, itching, swelling and even blisters are possible. It can affect both partners and reactions can be immediate or delayed,” Dr Redelinghuys said.

Other common triggers of allergic reactions include flavoured lubricants, scented oils and even laundry detergent residue on bedding.

“If it burns or tingles and not in a good way, it is probably an allergy.” Treatment ranges from antihistamines to emergency care if it escalates.

More than just a love-bite?

Tongue, lip and love bites

It can be all fun and games until someone bites too hard. Passion can result in lapses of self-control, said Dr Redelinghuys.

“Split lips, bitten tongues, even cracked teeth. We have seen it all,” he said.

Most heal quickly, but he said anything that bleeds uncontrollably or exposes nerves needs medical care.

Then at its opposite, there are love bites that get out of hand, through to bumping into furniture or headboards. Hectic sex can leave visible evidence.

“Bruises are not unusual. Most are harmless, but internal swelling and deep tissue bruising should be checked out if painful or persistent,” he said.

Infections

Be careful when you have sex, said Dr Redelinghuys. Always practice safely and use protection, because nobody wants to receive the gift that keeps on giving: a sexually transmitted disease or infection.  

Also, especially common in women, UTIs happen when bacteria sneak into the urethra during sex.

“Burning when you urinate, a constant urge to go, and lower abdominal pain are signs,” he said. Drink water, see a doctor and do not ignore it because it can turn into a kidney infection if left untreated.

 “Most of these injuries and infections are preventable,” said Dr Redelinghuys.

“Use the right tools, communicate, do not rush, and if something feels off, there is no shame in pausing or drawing a hard stop. Good health is more important than a roll in the hay, with ouch. It’s a passion killer.”

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