Doctor warns about popular ‘messy’ sex acts that increase risk of nasty infections

Bad news for those who like to engage in intimate acts outside the bedroom.

Experts have warned that doing the deed in the second most comfortable place in the house could result in a host of nasty infections.

London-based NHS GP Dr. Hana Patel said those who enjoy having sex on the couch should be aware of the risks.

Sofas harbor a cocktail of bacteria not visible to the naked eye, she added, with sex increasing the number of disease-causing insects in the fabric.

‘An example of possible harm is an increased risk of bacterial infections because sofas are often not cleaned as thoroughly and easily as your bed linen,’ Dr Patel said.

Limited research has shown that upholstery is a breeding ground for bacteria and other harmful microorganisms.

They can survive longer on porous fabrics such as cotton, nylon and polyester, as well as on some plastics.

Perhaps the most common sex-related bacterial infection is one that affects the urinary tract and causes severe pain when going to the toilet.

A survey designed to discover what we get up to on our couches found that 97 percent of respondents admitted to having sex on their couch

The bacteria that cause urinary tract infections (UTIs) are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics designed to treat them, creating ‘superbugs’ that are becoming deadly in vulnerable people.

Women are at greater risk for urinary tract infections than men because of the shorter space between the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the body) and the back passage.

Meanwhile, other experts have warned of other health risks. According to sex and relationship coach Gemma Nice, sex on the couch can result in painful burns.

“Towels and blankets can also help protect your skin,” she said. ‘Especially if your sofa is made of rough material or leather.’

To control the awkwardness of ‘mess’, she advised: ‘It’s best to put down a splash pad or a few towels just in case, or at least have a paper towel or tissue next to you.

A survey designed to discover what we get up to on our couches found that 97 percent of respondents admitted to having had sex on their couch.

However, the opinion poll involving 500 Brits, also found that 30 percent said it wasn’t their first choice for a place for intimacy over hygiene concerns.

Nearly a third (32 percent) say problems with cleaning due to potential ‘accidents’ also deter them.

Nationally, 55 percent of Britons report having sex at least once a week; this rises to 59 percent of men and falls to 51 percent of women

However, when analyzing gender differences, more than a fifth of women said they were more likely to feel intimate and emotionally connected during sex on the couch.

Among men this was 18 percent.

More than a quarter of Brits also admitted to choosing the sofa over any other place, even their bed.

Bank sex hit the news earlier this summer after a false rumor that now-elected US Vice President JD Vance once had sex with a bank that set the Internet on fire.

Memes started is circulating on social media mocking the 40-year-old Ohio senator after it falsely claimed he wrote about sex with a couch in his best-selling book Hillbilly Elegy.

The research also comes amid concerns about a global sex crisis – or rather, the lack thereof.

Research last year found that more than a quarter (27 percent) of Brits are now having less sex than before.

One in six (15 percent) also admit they haven’t been this playful all year.

According to a Royal College of Occupational Therapists survey of 2,000 adults earlier this year, men and women typically romp 46 times a year – once every eight days.

Research recently highlighted by MailOnline also found nationally that only 55 per cent of Brits reported having sex at least once a week – 59 per cent of men and 51 per cent of women.

Londoners were well above the national average, with 67 percent reporting having an amorous encounter at least once a week.

Britain is not alone in suffering from a sexodus.

Surveys in America have shown that the number of Californians between the ages of 18 and 30 without a sexual partner reached a ten-year high last year: 38 percent.

Dr. Patel also emphasized the importance of a sexual relationship for our health.

“Physical contact in a healthy and happy relationship can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety,” she said.

‘It can also lower your blood pressure and therefore improve your sense of well-being.’