Just 10 years ago, only 12.5% of 16 – 24 year olds in the UK were engaging in anal sex. Now, that number is at 28.5%. That’s a big increase! It basically means 3 out of every 10 women in the UK are taking it in the butt. As reported by The Guardian, this surge has led to a fresh influx of injuries and health concerns.

According to two NHS surgeons who reported their findings in the British Medical Journal, the consequences of anal sex include incontinence and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as well as pain, bleeding and bodily trauma. The report found that women who take it in the butt are at greater risk from it than men who take it in the butt:

“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.

Women have less robust anal sphincters and lower anal canal pressures than men, and damage caused by anal penetration is therefore more consequential.”

Obviously, this news isn’t exclusive to the UK. Over in the US, 30% – 45% of both sexes admit to having taken a trip to brown town. Which are pretty surprising numbers TBH. Might’ve been good for The Guardian or British Medical Journal to hand out some pointers or maybe some anal sex safety advice in their reports. For example, how deep can you go? How fast? How often? Does diet play a role? If you go too hard, can it result in permanent anal damage? I feel like these are things we need to know before proceeding as a society that is having increasing amounts of anal sex.

At the end of the day, it’s up to the couples themselves to decide whether a bit of butt fun is worth the risk. As long as they’re taking the obvious precautions (condoms, lube, etc) then I guess it’s up to them to weigh up the enjoyment vs any potential damage. The study also notes that “anal intercourse is considered a risky sexual behaviour because of its association with alcohol, drug use and multiple sex partners”, so that’s something to keep in mind too. Stay safe, folks!

For the woman who fell pregnant ‘through anal sex’, click HERE. Wait, what?