An IFOP study carried out for LELO highlights the physical consequences of anal sex among women in France: among those who have already practiced it, 67% say they have suffered significant pain and 30% report health problems such as incontinence, bleeding or sexually transmitted infections. Behind these data, a question arises: why is a subject closely linked to health so rarely discussed with professionals?
Anal sexuality: persistent silence in consultation
For gynecologist Odile Bagot, interviewed in a previous article, this observation is not surprising. In thirty years of practice, patients spontaneously mentioning anal penetration can be counted on the fingers of one hand.
“The rare times when the question is raised, it is generally when there is a fear of infection during this practice, or when there are anal lesions. But a spontaneous discussion remains extremely marginal“, she explains.
The discussion appears mainly in specific contexts: postpartum, when the resumption of intercourse is mentioned, or at menopause, through problems such as vaginal dryness. More rarely, symptoms such as pain, infections or traumatic disorders can serve as an entry point, particularly when they suggest sexual violence.
“It takes a very solid climate of trust, and often a ‘medical pretext’ for people to speak out.“, summarizes the gynecologist.
Apart from these specific situations, dialogue still remains too rare and this is not without consequences.
A taboo that slows down screening
For emergency physician Gérald Kierzek, avoiding the subject amounts to depriving oneself of essential information for the health of patients.
“This taboo slows down colorectal screening, delays preventive advice and complicates the management of proctological pathologies such as fissures, hemorrhoids, certain sexually transmitted infections or even incontinence.“, he warns.
Colorectal cancer, he recalls, is curable in almost 90% of cases when detected early. Only if the patient agrees to the examinations and exchanges necessary to enable this screening.
The consequences of the absence of dialogue
Beyond pathologies, the absence of dialogue prevents topics such as consent, pain management, risky practices or appropriate means of protection from being addressed. Still very taboo, anal sex is often considered the most painful practice: 19% of women who refuse this practice cite fear of pain.
For Gérald Kierzek, the difficulty of dialogue and prevention does not come from a refusal of doctors to address these questions.
“The caring relationship is based on trust. Doctors are trained to treat without judging, bound by absolute medical confidentiality, and their role is to address all aspects of health, including those that make you uncomfortable.“.
Sexuality, addictions, violence or intimate practices: in medicine, no subject is forbidden. But as long as the word does not circulate, certain diagnoses can go unnoticed.