Porn culture has led to women suffering injuries during sex

But those who aren't informed of the risk, can't give informed consent.

The issue raised in this article is that people are ignorant of the risks. Men have grown to expect it, and women aren't aware of the damage they could be experiencing.

Tbh I think 'sexual liberation is a bit of an oxymoron', I think the end result is sexual slavery.

I have worked in the field of sexual health for almost 20 years and had never previously heard about an increased risk to women due to anatomical difference- interesting and I will do more research, as it is possible a lot of educational resources need to be updated.

We seen no end of damage, to both men and women, upon whom anal sex has been forced, and/or who have consensually engaged in anal sex without adequate knowledge of how to do it safely.

Equally we see younger and younger girls and boys wanting to try it and believing it is standard sexual practice- so the messages we try to drive home are around safely, consent, choice, and we talk a lot about the impact of porn on expectations and norms.

One of the key messages I would give to parents is that young people often watch porn for education; yes they do at times enjoy it, but they often want to know how to do things, what sex is, what their bodies should look like, how to please their partner, etc. so rather than all of this pearl clutching around "oh my god anal", I'd say the best thing you can do is try and counteract the shite they see on porn with real, up-to-date knowledge and information. It's critical from a much younger age than you would expect. The porn industry sadly isn't going anywhere and so we as parents (and in my case as an SRH expert) we need to intervene regularly, early, and responsibly.

Only if they are informed of the consequences. And currently they are not.

Pretty sure this has been a problem for women (boys/slaves/children) since the beginning of time so all our issues and attempts to outlaw it were probably 'progress'. We will eventually come back to the same conclusions that it's physically unhealthy, dangerous and a form of sexual coercion for women. Liking it doesn't mean squat in the bigger scheme of things - if you normalise it culturally there are consequences.

We just go round in circles. Sexual liberation and back again.

Except no one owes you validation of that, or to normalize it for you.

I am not going to pretend it comes under the remit of “everyone does it” putting my own children at risk of (a) physical damage and (b) coercion so that you can think your something special or interesting when, frankly, you’re neither.

If you have to address this for women and girls - you too have to address it for young gay men. So we can't, because it is verboten.

Me & DP like it.
Not all the time, maybe once a month

I had been warned by a gay friend about the risks for women so I'm very mindful of that

People should be able to choose their sexual practices and not feel shamed (like on this thread)
If there are 2 consenting adults who enjoy it then MYOB

Their body, their choice

Pushing the boundaries all the time, that's what porn culture does. Vaginas are so last century - get with the programme and shut up and enjoy risking long term injury. Same with choking - shut up and enjoy it you prude.

If you have the stomach for it (massive trigger warning) take a look at the We Can't Consent to This website. Women who have been murdered by men claiming the "rough sex" defence.

I tried it when I was about 19 because my ex boyfriend went on and on and on and on about it and wouldn't let it drop, even though I didn't want to and in the end I gave in to the pressure. It was absolutely horrible, it felt literally like doing a shit backwards. I never allowed it again. And thankfully my current DH has never once suggested it in our 17 years together - he would run a mile. I will be making damn sure my DD knows not to give in pressure from any partners she has in the future. That, and the craze for choking which is even worse imho.

@11GrumpsaGrumping - I believe in the article the colorectal surgeon says that women are more at risk of injury due to the anatomy of the pelvic floor, different dimensions, hormones, childbirth.

These factors in addition to men going in without preparation (even if they have gained consent) make it a bad situation. Like for STIs, Better information for women and men on the risks and how to reduce them, will allow them to make informed decisions and practice as safely as possible if they wish.

I've never had a problem and have been doing it since my teens but if you're not comfortable with it then don't do it.

"Women's anuses are no different than men's- what nonsense!"

Thats' not what the British Medical Journal is saying.

However, women who engage in anal sex are at greater risk from it than men. “Increased rates of faecal incontinence and anal sphincter injury have been reported in women who have anal intercourse,” the report said.

“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.

Women's anuses are no different than men's- what nonsense!

But they are different (unless I misread your comment). From the article:

However, women who engage in anal sex are at greater risk from it than men. “Increased rates of faecal incontinence and anal sphincter injury have been reported in women who have anal intercourse,” the report said.
“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.
“The pain and bleeding women report after anal sex is indicative of trauma, and risks may be increased if anal sex is coerced,” they said.

I sort of knew it could cause long term issues but I didn’t know that physiologically women were more likely to suffer injuries than men. Teens absolutely need to be educated in that because the expectation now is that girls will be having vaginal and anal sex with their boyfriends.

The article specifies it is more dangerous for women than for men.

I'd imagine, the changing cyclical levels of hormones (as is known to affect sports injuries in women), the greater vulnerability of the pelvic muscles that need to both contain an extra organ- that gets pretty damn heavy during pregnancy- and also allow the baby out. So it's a sling with a designed weak area.

I don't think it's right to deny the additional risk for women.

This.

Sometimes I am so bloody glad I'm old.

I agree.

I did not know that Women have less robust anal sphincters and the education for young women seems so critical given the potential impact.

I remember watching a porn or prostitute documentary when I was in my teens & one women was quite badly incontinent from anal sex, tbh it put me off for life. I then thought that maybe the doc was extreme as it's never discussed.

No, I don’t think it was ‘good’. I mentioned my memory and experience because the shift from it being illegal and taboo to being a “normal” and commonly-accepted part of sex feels like it has happened really quickly. I’m a little surprised at how much and how quickly the culture around sex has changed.

@TeaStory also, could you clarify, you do think it was good that anal sex was illegal for heterosexual couples? If so, why?

Fair point.