Can Vigorous Lovemaking Really Cause Injuries?

Sex is supposed to feel good, but a few wrong moves beneath the sheets could leave you in pain. Anything from a rug burn to a penile fracture is possible if you get too rough or move too fast. Sex injuries happen more often than you might think – so you should be aware of the most common ones (mostly so you can figure out what to do if they happen to you…). Let’s have a look at the 9 most common sex injuries, how you can minimize them and what you should do if you’re on the receiving end of one of these:

1. Vaginal Tears

You know it’s happened when you’re bleeding down there after the deed, or it simply really, really hurts. The reason tearing happens is that you’re too dry down there, meaning the fix is pretty simple: Be sure you’re lubricated enough before he enters you. This can mean going slower during sex, or simply using lubricant. If you do all of this and you still experience tearing on the regular, see your gynecologist, who can prescribe certain antibiotics.

2. Carpet Burn

Go you for being adventurous and not just sticking to the mattress! Seriously, a round of applause. However, switching up where you have sex can cause painful carpet burns due to friction. Fixing these are pretty simple. Wash the infected area with cool water and antibacterial soap. If the skin is actually broken – as in, there is a physical cut as opposed to just irritated redness – then clean it with antiseptic and apply antibacterial cream before putting a bandage on top.

Of course, the best advice is to go on a pre-emptive strike and put a soft throw down if you’re having sex on a rough surface. Just be sure it’s one of your backup blankets, as things could get a little, well, you know.

3. ‘Foreign Objects’ in the Vagina

I’m about to get graphic here, but the two most common “foreign objects” doctors encounter are forgotten tampons (hey, it happens) and lost condoms. And yes, medical personnel actually refer to them as “foreign objects”. Now you know.

How to deal with it? Start by taking a deep breath and stop freaking out; it happens and you can totally get that thing out. The best course of action is to wait 10 or 15 minutes after you’ve had sex, since that’s the time it takes for your vagina to get back to its normal, unaroused size – and it’s a lot easier to reach up there in its normal state than when it’s all engorged from sex.

Just relax, and insert two fingers to try to get it out. If you can’t, call your doctor ASAP and they can fish it out for you.

4. …or Anus

While it’s pretty common for things to get lodged up in your vagina, it’s also possible for anal play to go south (er, north?). While there’s no shame in sticking things up your butt during sex, it’s probably best to steer clear of things like softballs and food, which can easily get lost up there or cause infection.

5. Back Injury

Not to knock a good sex move, like reverse cowgirl or the butter churner, but sadly those “She did what?!” skills can also wreak havoc on your back. Okay, now time for damage control. Put an ice pack on your lower back to relieve inflammation. Then, once the inflammation subsides, use a heating pad to soothe your muscles. Finally, pop an ibuprofen and rest for a couple of hours.

6. Food Irritation

Sure, it’s totally sexy to bring strawberries and whipped cream into the bedroom. And, in a pinch, foods like coconut oil even make for decent lube. But in most cases, food is not a sexy friend.

When in doubt, keep food far away from your vagina. And if either you or your partner have eaten or cooked with spicy foods (like hot sauce or peppers), you should probably avoid orally or manually stimulating each other right away. Nothing kills the mood quicker than a burning sensation in your nether regions

7. Urinary Tract Infection

Anyone who’s ever gotten one of these knows they’re a real pain. And sadly, you can get them from having lots of sex. The best thing to do is to make sure you’re lubricated enough at all times, whether that’s by actually using lube, or just being sure that your partner doesn’t enter you too early or go too rough. That helps prevent tears or irritation, which makes UTIs more likely.

And if you notice a burning sensation when you pee or have to go constantly (signs of a UTI), go see your doctor to confirm the diagnosis. They’ll get a prescription for antibiotics to beat the infection, ASAP.

8. Yeast Infection

While sex does not cause yeast infections, they more commonly occur in women who are sexually active. Most women who get yeast infections from sex get them either from receiving oral sex or from having sex with a guy who has some saliva on his penis (i.e., after you’ve gone down on him)

Mitigating this involves making sure that his penis is clean when he enters you. If this means having him go to the bathroom after foreplay, then so be it. And if you do suspect you have a yeast infection, make an appointment with your doctor (it’s never a good idea to self-diagnose). They’ll likely give you a prescription for an anti-fungal medication to be taken intra-vaginally or orally.

If you get yeast infections more than four times a year, you may simply be more prone to getting them in general – so talk to your doctor about that, and they can decide the best course of action.

9. Broken Penis

To set the record straight, you can’t literally break a penis, since it doesn’t contain bones. But you can severely bend a penis, to the point that the two tubes of blood that fill it during an erection actually rupture. There’s usually a snapping sound when this happens, followed by severe pain, a bruised penis and swelling.

These injuries almost exclusively occur during super-rough sex. Of course, this doesn’t mean you should resort to vanilla sex for the rest of your life. Instead, just be mindful – and, if this does occur, go to the emergency room ASAP. And, whatever you do, do not put ice on it. Treatment involving icing, compression, etc., runs a high risk of penile scarring and impotence.

So in conclusion, yes – vigorous lovemaking can definitely cause injuries. We hope this article has given you some insight into behaviors to avoid when getting frisky. Share your own views and experiences with us in the comments below. And until next time, be safe.