Editing Perineum (section)

==Clinical significance==
The [[anogenital distance]] is a measure of the distance between the midpoint of the anus and the underside of the scrotum or the vagina. Studies show that the human perineum is twice as long in males as in females.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = McEwen| first1 = Gerald N.| last2 = Renner| first2 = Gerald| title = Validity of anogenital distance as a marker of in utero phthalate exposure | journal = Environmental Health Perspectives| volume = 114| issue = 1| pages = A19–20 | doi = 10.1289/ehp.114-a19b | pmid = 16393642 | pmc=1332693 | date=January 2006}}</ref> Measuring the anogenital distance in neonatal humans has been suggested as a noninvasive method to determine male [[feminization (biology)|feminisation]] and thereby predict neonatal and adult [[reproductive disorder]]s.<ref>Michelle Welsh, et al.: [http://www.jci.org/articles/view/34241 "Identification in rats of a programming window for reproductive tract masculinization, disruption of which leads to hypospadias and cryptorchidism"]. ''Journal of Clinical Investigation'', 13 March 2008.</ref>

Extensive deformation of the pelvic floor occurs during a vaginal delivery. Approximately 85% of women have some [[perineal tear]] during a vaginal delivery and in about 69% suturing is required.<ref>Sleep J, Grant A, Garcia J, Elbourne D, Spencer J, Chalmers I. West Berkshire perineal management trial. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed). 1984; 289(6445): 587-90.</ref><ref>McCandlish R, Bowler U, van Asten H, Berridge G, Winter C, Sames L, Garcia J, Renfrew M, Elbourne D. A randomised controlled trial of care of the perineum during second stage of normal labour. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1998; 105(12): 1262-72.</ref><ref>Grant A, Sleep J. Repair of perineal trauma. In: Enkin M, Keirse MJNC, Chalmers I, Eds. A Guide to Effective Care in Pregnancy and Childbirth. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1989: 240-43.</ref> Obstetric perineal trauma contributes to postpartum morbidity and frustration of women after delivery. In many women, the childbirth trauma is manifested in advanced age when the compensatory mechanisms of the pelvic floor become weakened, making the problem more serious among the aged population.<ref>Barrett G, Pendry E, Peacock J, et al. Women's sexuality after childbirth: a pilot study. Archives of Sexual Behavior 1999; 28(2): 179-91.</ref><ref>Tinelli A, Malvasi A, Rahimi S, et al. Age-related pelvic floor modifications and prolapse risk factors in postmenopausal women. Menopause 2010; 17(1): 204-12.</ref>

There are claims that sometimes the perineum is excessively repaired after childbirth, using a so-called "[[The husband stitch|husband stitch]]" and that this can increase vaginal tightness or result in pain during intercourse.<ref name="Vinopal">{{cite web|last1=Vinopal|first1=Lauren|title=Are Husbands and Doctors Conspiring to Sew New Moms Up Too Tight?|url=https://www.fatherly.com/health-science/why-parents-fear-husband-stitch/|website=Fatherly|access-date=15 October 2017|date=17 August 2017}}</ref>

The perineum is an [[erogenous zone]].<ref name="winkelmann">{{cite journal |author=Winkelmann RK |date=1959 |title=The erogenous zones: their nerve supply and significance |url=http://www.cirp.org/library/anatomy/winkelmann/ |journal=Mayo Clin Proc |volume=34 |issue=2 |pages=39–47 |doi= |pmc= |pmid=13645790}}</ref> This area is also known as the '''taint''' or '''gooch''' in American slang, as well as the '''notcha''' in Australian slang.