According to reports from the Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust, Brits have cost the NHS over £350,000 yearly for requiring medical attention to remove 'rectal foreign bodies.'
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Is porn at the root of the problem?
The data was collected over a nine year span between 2010 and 2019 and found that around 3,500 objects were surgically removed from the anal cavities of mostly men (85%). The financial burden to the country was calculated by looking into the amount needed to cover the cost of anaesthetics and bed occupancy, among other things.
Though cases were disproportionately higher in men than women, age did not play a factor in patients requiring medical attention to remove foreign objects from their anuses. As it turns out, one in six patients were over the age of 60.
From pencils, to toothbrushes
Researchers involved in the study have now theorized that the influx of cases might be due to the rise of porn on the internet. Though the study did not mention exactly what objects required removal, doctors have reported having seen everything from 'pencils, drugs, carrots [to] wine corks, pens, electric toothbrushes and deodorants.' Dr Carol Cooper, health expert, commented.
Reasons for inserting objects into the rectum include mental health problems, sexual assault, and body packing to conceal drugs. Whatever the reason, it’s dangerous.
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The object itself can cause injuries, such as perforation or bleeding, especially if is large or has sharp edges. Glasses and bottles may break, increasing the damage. And attempts to remove the item oneself can make things much worse. This can lead to haemorrhage, peritonitis, sepsis, or even death.
