From HIVplusmag.com..

According to a study published in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections, rectal douching might increase the odds of contracting HIV and other STIs — including hepatitis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.

Researchers state that douching before sex can damage the lining of the rectum, which leads to an increased risk of transmission due to indirect entry into the bloodstream.

Rectal douching is a common practice among gay and bisexual men who prefer the “bottom” role in sex. It’s widely used in an effort cleanse the rectum before having anal sex. According to researchers, nearly half of men who have sex with men engage in the practice.

In this particular study, researchers examined 28 studies involving 21,570 MSM — 46 percent were in the U.S., 35 percent were in Europe, and the rest were in South America, Asia, and Africa, reports NAM AIDS Map. All of the studies were published between 1982 and 2018.

Twenty of the studies were particularly focused on the association between douching and HIV transmission. They found that men who practiced rectal douching were nearly three times as likely to contract HIV.

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