(Reuters Health)-
Anal sex may be associated with an increased risk of incontinence, especially in men who have sex with menS. study suggests.
The researchers analyzed data from the national health survey of 6,150 adults and found that 37% of women and 5% of men had tried anal sex at least once.
When they do, women are 50% more likely than their peers to have at least one incontinent per month, while men are almost twice more likely to have incontinent.
"While this study did not give us data on the frequency of anal intercourse and the impact on incontinence in the stool, we did see the relationship between anal practice and incontinence in the stool, said lead author Dr: "There are more men than women. "
Alayne Markland, University of Alabama at Birmingham.
"We just don't know if people who have anal sex once or twice are at the same risk of incontinence as those who have regular anal sex," Markland added in the email . ".
Markland and his colleagues noted in the American Journal of GI that while anal sex is common among heterosexual and gay couples, little is known about how this practice affects gut function
To assess the relationship between the two things, the researchers reviewed the response to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey completed in 2009, and 2010 surveys of adults aged 20 and over.
The survey raised different questions for men and women, which may at least explain some of the differences in gender outcomes in this study.
For women, the survey asked, "Have you ever had anal sex?
But for men, the survey asked, "Have you ever had any type of sex with men, including the mouth or anus ? "?
In order to determine incontinence in the stool, the researchers reviewed answers to questions about investigations that occurred at least monthly regarding leakage of mucus, liquid or feces.
Most adults with incontinence have occasional diarrhea.
However, this situation may be chronic and may be caused by muscle and nerve damage around the rectum, constipation, certain diseases and surgical procedures, and childbirth. Overall, 8.
Women accounted for 3%, 5.
6% of men in the study had incontinence.
About 10% of anal women also have incontinence, while 7.
In the survey, 4% of women did not report this type of sexual intercourse.
Of the men who have anal sex, nearly 12% have anal incontinence, compared with about 5% of the men who do not have anal sex.
The authors point out that these results do not prove that anal intercourse causes anal incontinence.
They also lack data on the frequency of anal intercourse, which may affect the outcome.
The authors conclude that, nevertheless, the findings suggest that doctors may want to discuss the possibility of contact with patients.
"These findings may be an important part of the patient education consultation that doctors provide to patients," said William Whitehead ,". Director of the functional GI and powertrain center at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.
"While it is tempting to think that only rare gay male patients will benefit from such counselling, this study makes it clear that anal sex is a common practice that is not limited to homosexuality, "Whitehead, who was not involved in the study, added by email.
Whitehead says more research is needed to understand how anal sex can lead to urinary incontinence, although this practice may lead to lower anal tension, leading to a stool leak in some people
"However, common sense suggests that people involved in anal intercourse should be advised not to introduce hard or large objects into the rectum because this increases the risk of trauma," he said . ".
"They should also be encouraged to use pain or bleeding as a warning to stop and seek medical assessment. ” SOURCE: bit.
Ly/20u5d4L American Journal of digestive medicine, published online in January 12, 2016.