Is it bad for your health to go at it for too long?

HUD App is thrilled to partner with Stigma Health, Australia’s largest online sexual health clinic group, to educate and empower dating app users to take control of their sexual health and wellbeing.

On January 11, OnlyFans star Bonnie Blue had sex with 1,057 men in less than a day (the previous record is alleged to belong to adult film star Lisa Sparks, who slept with 919 men back in 2004). Following her record-breaking experience – where each guy had less than a minute to do the deed – Blue seemed fairly blasé: “Just feels like I've had a heavy day in the bedroom, which is exactly what I've had.”

While it’s unlikely the average human will get the chance to repeat (or even attempt) Blue’s frankly impressive effort, if you’ve ever had a marathon session in the bedroom – or thought about it – you might have wondered, is it bad for your body? Is it hard on your bits? Is it going to have any lasting ill effects? Or should you just go for it? Stigma Health’s sexual health expert Dr Leigh Barlow weighs in.

Will having lots of sex, all in one session, cause any damage to your body?

This isn’t a straightforward yes or no, because it depends on a number of factors – lubrication, positions, and whether sexual partners are experiencing any pain or discomfort. “The major concern I hear from people post lengthy or significant sexual encounters is regarding inflammation and irritation,” Dr Barlow says. “This describes irritation of the vulva or glans penis and local trauma if their partner took a wrong angle in the heat of the moment.”

Fortunately, cleaning your private parts with a mild soap substitute, patting dry, and using a bland barrier cream can usually manage any post-shagathon inflammation. “These issues can hopefully be avoided by effective and quality lubricants and having open and enthusiastic conversations about what feels good and what doesn’t,” says Dr Barlow.

What about the old “throwing a hot dog down a hallway” myth?

Does having lots of sex, well, loosen things up down below? Fortunately not – according to Dr Barlow, there’s no connection between sex and the development of a weak pelvic floor. “Research shows that although pelvic floor strength is associated with sexual activity and function, there is no association between a weak pelvic floor and sexual function. A strong pelvic floor increases sexual satisfaction, so if you’re struggling with a weak pelvic floor, please go see your GP or gynecologist to talk about treatment options.”

What about infections and STIs?

As a photo of the aftermath of Bonnie Blue’s viral sex session shows a floor littered with used condoms – safe sex is a must, whether you’re with one partner or 1,000 – you can and should manage your own sexual health and wellbeing, as well as that of your partners, by only having safe sex. <link to: >

“If you're a sexually active person, you should know the risks you're taking and get tested regularly. There are options for managing your risks, like condoms, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), or post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV, and Doxy PEP.”

And no, you don’t have to go to your GP and confess you’re planning a shagathon, says Dr Barlow – just be sensible and approach your sexual health as you would any other health matter, as proactively as possible. “The other part of the equation is regular testing through your GP or an online testing platform like Stigma Healthwhere you can discreetly get tested, discuss your results with a GP via telehealth, and receive treatments for most of the sexually associated conditions Australians encounter.”

Another issue Dr Barlow cautions about is vaginal pH, which can affect your susceptibility to infection. “Some lubricants and semen have a pH that is very different to a vagina, and the vagina’s pH changes during erotic play to increase the chance of the sperm surviving to conception,” he says. “This does make the vagina more susceptible to bacterial infections. Signs of an off-balance pH can include pain during sex, discharge, and itch.”

You don’t have to swear off sex if your vaginal pH is a bit iffy, though. “Rather than avoiding sex as a management option for pH, consider washing the vulva rather than the vagina and avoid internal cleanses like douches. Urinating after sex and plenty of water is very important. Even with these suggestions, some people just seem to get UTIs more frequently. Talk to your doctor if this is you, as there are lots of things that can help reduce your frequency and duration of symptoms.”

So does lots and lots of sex have any positive benefits?

Absolutely, says Dr Barlow. “Frequent sex relieves stress, improves heart health, can lower blood pressure, improves mood, potentially reduces risk of prostate cancer, and can even improve the signs of aging on the skin through stimulation of collagen.

“Interestingly, you don't even need to orgasm to get all the benefits, many of the responsible neurotransmitters are released during foreplay and even sensual touch.”

Bonnie Blue certainly seems enthusiastic about her experience, telling an interviewer that she’s planning to repeat it in future – no matter what her detractors say – because she enjoyed it so much. “You're going to sit there thinking it's disgusting, it was horrible, but everybody had a good time, we were laughing, singing, slipping around on condoms like it was an ice rink and it wasn't an emotional, depressing situation at all, it was the complete opposite.”