One in three Brits has suffered a sex injury – which are the most risky positions?
Sex is, of course, usually fun, but there are times when adventurous bedroom antics can be downright hazardous.
From carpet burns to UTIs and even broken penises, there are a whole host of sex injuries we can suffer while getting caught up in the moment. In fact, this embarrassing kind of mishap is more common than you might think with research by Love Honey finding more than a third of Brits (37%) have experienced a sex injury.
Turns out carpet burns are the most common injuries (65%), followed by bruises (54%), pulled muscles (39%) and urinary tract infections (23%).
But despite being somewhat rare, also making the top 10 are penis fractures (3%), stuck foreign objects (3%) and broken bones (2%).
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Riskiest sex positions
The study also revealed, which are the most hazardous sex positions when it comes to injury.
Doggy style was found to be the most dangerous position with 30% of Brits having experienced some sort of hazard in this position, followed by the missionary position and then the cowgirl with one in six adults having an issue in this position.
Respondents also confessed other comedy bedroom mishaps during sex including breaking a bed frame, ripping a shower curtain and breaking a chair.
"Having sex in new locations can be a great way to spice up your sex life, though locations such as the shower can be tricky when trying to avoid injury," says Cooper.
"If you want to be extra adventurous with positions during shower sex, be aware that it can be slippery. Check any fittings you may be leaning against beforehand for stability.”
Or if all this sounds like too much hassle, maybe just using a bed isn't so boring after all.
How to avoid sex injuries
In case we've got you worried with all these tales of bedroom woe... Thankfully, there are some tips you can adopt to avoid some of the most common injuries and a red-faced trip to A&E.
"Use a soft blanket beneath you to help reduce the risks of carpet burn during sex," advises Ness Cooper aka The Sex Consultant.
"When regularly having sex on carpets, keeping areas covered that are prone to carpet burn is important."
If you do get carpet burn, she suggests making sure that you clean the area afterwards to avoid infection.
"Nappy rash creams or similar products may also help protect an area injured by carpet burn," she adds.
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With 31% of women and one in 10 men suffering from sex-induced UTIs, Cooper says these too can be avoided.
"Making sure you’re aroused during vaginal penetration can help reduce the risk of a UTI," she says.
"Estrogen vaginal cream can help maintain the PH balance of the vagina for those who are going through the menopause – and this can help reduce the risks of UTIs."
Washing with water rather than soaps and vaginal washes can also help reduce UTIs. See your GP if symptoms persist.
This article was originally published in June 2022 and has been updated.
