6 Common Sex-Related Injuries

As much as we love sex, it undoubtedly comes with more risks than any other physical activity that we can engage in, even if you haven't experienced one of these sex-related injuries.

Yes, it brings about life, feels good, raises your endorphins, improves sleep, boosts your immune system, and lowers your blood pressure.

But the truth is, it can also bring on diseases upon diseases, emotional damage, and physical injuries. Sex-related injuries are actually a lot more common than you think.

Here are 6 very real sex-related injuries, and how you can practice sex the safe way:

6. Penis Fracture

A penile fracture is the rupture of one or both of the tunica albuginea. The tunica albuginea is what helps trap the blood in the corpora cavernosa, to sustain an erection in the penis.

Penile fractures are usually caused by rapid blunt force to an erect penis, usually during vaginal intercourse, or aggressive masturbation. A penile fracture is actually a rare type of sex injury and is more likely to occur in a position where the woman is on top.

To ensure this doesn’t happen:

Make sure to be extra cautious when you engage in this sex style.
Never engage in rough sex that is too strenuous or forceful on the body.
When masturbating, try not to be too rough and always use lubrication.

5. Vaginal Cuts and Tears

Vaginal cuts and tears, in general, are never good and are one of the more common sex-related injuries to occur. These surface cuts in sensitive vaginal skin often occur when a woman engages in intercourse but isn't wet or lubricated enough and tears or abrasions can result.

Thankfully, vaginal tears generally heal pretty quickly, sometimes within hours after sex. However, if a day or two passes and the uncomfortableness, pain, or any bleeding doesn't subside, make sure to get checked out immediately.

To ensure this doesn’t happen:

Make sure you're fully wet or lubricated naturally.
Engage in foreplay before intercourse, like nipple play or oral sex.
Or get help with a store-bought lubricant to create vaginal moisture and ease.

4. UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections)

Along with many other causes of UTIs, having sex can introduce bacteria into the urinary tract. The same as spreading bacteria if you do not wipe your genitals correctly after a bowel movement, UTIs can spread like a wildfire.

Urinary tract infections are typically more common in women and usually occur in the bladder or urethra, but more serious infections can involve the kidney. UTIs may cause pelvic pain, increased urge to urinate, pain with urination, and blood in the urine.

To ensure this doesn’t happen:

Urinate before and after sex. This clears your urethra of bacteria and relieves bladder pressure.
Make sure to always engage in sex when you are freshly showered and clean.
Wash your hands before and after sex, and after contact with the rectum.
Drink lots of fluids. Upping your fluid intake, especially water, can help flush out any bacteria.

RELATED: 5 UTI-Fighting Smoothies

3. Sexual Headaches

Sex headaches are brought on by sexual activity, especially an orgasm, and are very common among sex-related injuries. Some people who experience a thunderclap headache during sex may not go on to suffer from a stroke, however, sexual activity can be a serious risk factor for those who have a brain aneurysm, which is a type of abnormally shaped blood vessel in the brain.

If you’re experiencing a sex headache, you may notice a dull ache in your head and neck that builds up as sexual excitement increases. Or, more commonly, you may experience a sudden, severe headache just before or during orgasm.

To ensure this doesn’t happen:

If you or your partner has had head trauma in the past, always consult with your doctor about intercourse after.
Make sure to stop sexual activity before you reach an orgasm.
Take a more passive role during sex may help.

2. Stroke

Sex and orgasm-triggered strokes are relatively rare but not unheard of in young women and men. These types of strokes actually require a rare combination of factors and events, which are highly unlikely to occur at the same time but are one of the sex-related injuries that still happen.

One in 4 adults actually has this minor heart defect, called a patent foramen ovale or PFO.

Blood flow through a PFO increases when a person strains, such as bearing down during a bowel movement, breathing out with the mouth closed and nostrils pinched shut, can definitely happen during sex and particularly during an orgasm.

To ensure this doesn’t happen, know the signs of stroke:

Difficulty speaking, slurring words, or inability to speak.
Sudden severe headaches.
Feeling weak, loss of coordination or numb suddenly on one side of your body.
Seeing double or difficulty focusing on people and objects.

1. Heart Attack

The most serious of all sex-related injuries is of course a heart attack. Many heart attack victims (especially men) actually experience their first one during a sexual encounter. Signs to look for include a sudden tightening of the chest or pressure in the chest, as well as nausea, dizziness, and shortness of breath. However, signs of a heart attack are not always clear.

To ensure this doesn’t happen:

Clean eating and regular exercise can reduce your risks.
If you’re experiencing any kind of chest pain, postpone the action until later.
If it persists or worsens, call 911.

Tia Muhammad, BS, is an award-winning freelance content & media creative, copywriter, blogger, digital designer, and marketing consultant. She owns the boutique content and digital media company, jackieGLDN|studio.

By Tia Muhammad | Published February 15, 2023