B1 Other refereed article (e.g., editorial, letter, comment) in a scientific journal
“And then I got strangled”: Dangerous trends of sexual choking among young people
Authors: Kero, Katja; Lauerma, Hannu; Wahlsten, Pia
Publisher: Wiley
Publication year: 2026
Journal: Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica
Article number: aogs.70193
ISSN: 0001-6349
eISSN: 1600-0412
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.70193
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : Open Access publication channel
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.70193
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/523074817
Self-archived copy's licence: CC BY NC
Self-archived copy's version: Publisher`s PDF
Sexual choking has become increasingly normalized among young people, largely driven by media, pornography, and peer norms. Although often framed as consensual, breath-control practices are physiologically unpredictable and can cause rapid loss of consciousness, brain injury, or even death within seconds. Once consciousness is lost, consent cannot be given or verified. Clinical and forensic experience in Finland indicates that choking is frequently reported in younger patients, yet national prevalence data are lacking. We argue that sexual choking is never medically safe, that clinicians should routinely ask about it, assess for injury, and provide clear risk counseling, and that medical ethics require engagement with harmful trends in patient care. Further research is needed to quantify prevalence and harms in Finland.
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Funding information in the publication:
Open access publishing facilitated by Turun yliopisto, as part of the Wiley - FinELib agreement.
