Sexual health doctor explains rise of worrying trend that is causing 'risk to life' in the bedroom

A doctor has urged couples to ensure their sexual activities don't stray into sinister territory amid a spike in the popularity of 'rough play'.

Dr Mark Perera, who is better known as @DoctorGayUK online, is on a mission to educate people about the dangers involved with some more unconventional forms of hanky-panky.

Missionary just doesn't cut it for some people, so they might end up venturing into more titillating territory with their partner to shake things up a bit.

There are all sorts of kinks and fetishes out there for folks to try out, but according to Dr Perera, rough sex is leading the way at the moment.

This term describes sexual activity that 'includes some form of aggressive behaviour', according to WebMD, and perhaps some 'pleasurable pain'.

Dr Mark Perera urged people to remember the way rough sex is depicted in porn is a lot different to how it goes down in real life (Getty Stock Image)

Everyone's individual idea of what rough sex is will vary, but essentially, it involves consenting adults agreeing to push the boundaries by taking a more assertive approach to your average sex session.

There might be some slapping, gripping, spitting, choking or biting, according to sex and relationship blog Bish - and best practice involves both parties outlining their limits while remaining in constant communication throughout.

The blog explains: "Any kind of sex can be done in a rough way, even things like kissing. So ‘roughness’ has more to do with a vibe than any particular acts. It’s about how we touch and relate each other rather than what we do."

This is a popular porn category too - but the government believe that this kind of adult content is normalising violence against women and girls, as it is depicting acts such as non-fatal strangulation as the 'norm'.

An independent review found that violent videos are 'changing [the sexual] behaviour' of people in real life - which is why Dr Perera wants to remind people that the people in these videos are actors who are pretending.

He sat down with LADbible to take part in the Honesty Box series, where he answered a string of questions about sexual health and how porn impacts our real-life experiences.

The London-born medic explained that people get used to seeing 'unattainable' body types on their screen while watching porn, which can 'really affect how we see ourselves when we have sex'.

The medic explained that adult content can skew our view of what sex is supposed to be like (LADbible)

Speaking of how adult videos can skew our view of what lovemaking is supposed to be like, Dr Perera said: "We have this false premise that sex is going to be exactly like [what we see in porn].

"But don't forget that experience of sex is sterilised, it is the polished product. It forgets the humanity and the fun kind of awkwardness that comes with having sex and enjoying it.

"It can give a mirage, and it's important to realise that, otherwise you can be constantly disappointed."

Discussing the rise in popularity of 'rough play', the doctor pointed out that it is continuing to become 'more and more common in porn now'.

Dr Perera told LADbible: "Being thrown around, choked... accidental injuries can happen."

He suggested these can range from minor 'muscular' issues to 'more serious' damage - adding: "There is also a risk to life when you choke someone."

This kind of intercourse is a popular porn category (Getty Stock Image)

The medic urged people to remember that when they're watching porn videos which feature rough play, it is being filmed in a controlled environment and is likely exaggerated.

"It is really important to understand that [the rough play] is choreographed in a studio and often can be mimicked rather than actually happening," Dr Perera went on. "I really want people to think about that.

"Try to realise that is not real life, it is a polished product. Real people want connection and not choreography. So its really important that you don't mistake pornography for reality, and take breaks from it."

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