Anal Sex

Anal sex is a sexual activity in which a man penetrates his partner's anus, inserting his penis into the rectum. Anal sex is not as widely practiced as penile-vaginal sex due to its taboo nature and various health risks. Nevertheless, many couples (both heterosexual and homosexual) have tried it and engage in it. It is important to remember that anal sex is a very risky sexual activity that can lead to sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS. Therefore, it is important to have proper knowledge of the risks involved, along with the precautions that are needed.

Societal Views on Anal Sex

Anal sex is a relatively taboo topic that people seldom discuss in our society. There are many cultural and societal interpretations of anal sex that have perpetuated its forbidden nature. Issues with cleanliness, health, sexuality, and morality surround this controversial activity.

Although anal sex has traditionally been viewed as a strictly homosexual activity between two males, this is not true: Some heterosexual couples do it, too. Because of the homosexual connotations of anal sex, some heterosexual couples might feel that it is "unnatural" for them to engage in it. Moreover, when people think about heterosexual anal intercourse, they may think that only the woman should be the receiving partner. This is, however, an incorrect assumption. Some heterosexual men find that they enjoy anal stimulation.

In addition, people's religious, cultural, and moral beliefs can lead them to avoid anal sex. For example, some religions dictate that penile-vaginal intercourse is the only proper form of sexual activity, because it is the only type that promotes reproduction. Numerous views on the morality of anal sex have helped shape our society's attitudes towards anal sex. Since some people do not engage in anal intercourse for moral reasons, it is important to remember that each person's individual level of comfort with the topic of anal sex can vary considerably.

Furthermore, people may choose to refrain from engaging in anal sex because it is thought of as dirty and unsanitary. Because the anus and rectum are sites through which fecal matter passes, this type of sexual activity may be a "turn-off" to some. Many people believe that things should only exit the anus, not enter it, because of hygienic reasons. This is a valid concern. Both the anus and rectum do contain bacteria and fecal matter, which can spread diseases and infections. For those people who want to experience anal sex while maintaining proper hygiene, there are precautions to take. People who do anal sex may come to view the anus as a two-way passage.

The Dangers of Anal Sex

Anal sex is one of the riskiest forms of sexual behavior because of the dangers it presents to one's sexual and physical health. It is important to remember that the anus is very different from the vagina, and therefore anal intercourse should be practiced differently from vaginal intercourse. Unlike the vagina, the anus has no ability to produce a natural lubricant. Inserting the penis (or a finger or sex toy) into the anus without using generous amounts of lubrication can easily cause small tears or fissures in the anal tissue as well as considerable pain to the receiving partner. This leads to a more serious risk.

The small tears in the delicate anal tissue are open pathways for the transmission of diseases and viruses, including HIV. HIV is the virus that causes life-threatening AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). Even if lubrication is used, these small tears in the anal tissue can still occur, which is why is very important to always wear a condom if engaging in anal intercourse. The risks that anal sex poses to one's health are very serious, which make maintaining sexual safety a vital matter. For more detailed information on the dangers of anal sex, please read our in-depth article on these dangers found here: The Dangers of Anal Sex.

How to Have Safe Anal Sex

People may wonder "Does anal sex feel good?" Some people want to try it to find out. To reduce the risks, they should proceed slowly and cautiously. The muscles surrounding the anus contract involuntarily when something is pushed against the anus, making entry difficult. Many do not find anal stimulation to be pleasurable and simply decide that it is not for them, while others want to proceed.

As mentioned earlier, anal intercourse should not be practiced in the same manner as vaginal intercourse, due to the fact that the rectum and the vagina are quite different. There are several precautions and steps that one should take before and during any anal play.

Be clean. Prior to engaging in any form of anal play, it is a good idea for the receiving partner to clean their anal region. Fecal matter is most concentrated in the rectum prior to a bowel movement. Therefore, going to the bathroom prior to anal play reduces the amount of feces in the rectum. Nevertheless, there are always some traces of feces and bacteria left behind in the rectum. Some people may choose to clean their anus by carefully inserting a wet, soapy finger up their anus or use a hypoallergenic, fragrance-free "wet-wipe" to clean just inside the anus. By lightly and carefully cleaning the general area in and about the anus, receiving partner can reduce the risk of transmitting bacteria and diseases.

Furthermore, after any object has been inside the rectum it must be washed thoroughly to avoid the spread of bacteria. After a finger, penis, or sex toy has been inside the rectum, never insert it into the vagina or mouth. If the bacteria from the rectum are introduced into any other orifice, they can cause serious infections.
Use protection! Due to the many bacterial and viral diseases that can be contracted from anal activities, it is extremely important to use barrier forms of protection. If a penis or anal toy is entering the rectum, a condom should be worn over the penis or toy. Wearing a condom while having anal sex can protect a person from transmitting or contracting HIV/AIDS. Also, a condom shields the penis or sex toy from coming in contact with the fecal bacteria in the rectum.

If a finger or fingers are entering the anus, latex gloves can be worn, leaving the hands germ-free. If latex gloves are not used, then make sure the fingers are clean and the fingernails trimmed short to protect the receiving partner. Dental dams should be used as a barrier if the mouth and/or tongue is being used to stimulate the anus. This act is called anilingus or "rimming," and can lead to the spread of STDs and other infection if performed without barrier protection. Using a barrier method is vital to one's safety and health if engaging any form of anal play.
Go slowly and communicate. 3. In order to safely and comfortably insert the penis into the anus, it must be done very slowly and gently � along with generous extra lubrication � for a number of reasons. If insertion is rushed and if the partners fail to communicate to each other and give feedback, anal sex can cause the receiver pain and cause damage to the lining of their anus and rectum.

It is extremely important to use a lot of lubrication, applying plenty of it to the penis and anus, and continuing to reapply more lubrication over time. Water-based lubricants, such as KY-Jelly and Astroglide work best. Using copious amounts of lubrication can ease insertion and help avoid causing any fissures in the anal tissue. There is no such thing as "too much" lubrication when engaging in anal sex.

Successful anal sex relies upon a good knowledge and understanding of the relevant anatomy. The anus is surrounded by two independent sphincters (circular muscles) that keep it constricted. We have voluntary control over the outer sphincter, while the inner sphincter is involuntarily controlled. These sphincters are difficult to penetrate unless the receiving partner is relaxed and concentrates on not tightening these sphincters. Inserting a penis, finger, or sex toy into the anus must be done so very slowly by gently pushing on and getting both sphincters to relax and loosen. The inserter should not force anything through the sphincters, as this will result in anal tears and pain to the receiver.

To avoid tearing anal tissue and causing discomfort to the receiver, it is a good idea to initiate anal play with "baby steps." In other words, start with smaller objects (such as a finger) before attempting to insert a penis. By starting out small, one can gradually adjust and build up the size of the insertion depending on the receiver's varying comfort levels: This is why frequent and honest communication between partners is so essential. If a finger or two has been successfully inserted without causing pain, larger insertions can be attempted if both partners feel comfortable. Throughout these stages of "building-up," it is important to completely stop anal stimulation if at any time either person begins to feel uncomfortable. This is where mutual trust, respect, and effective communication between the partners are critical.

Conclusion

The intention of this article is to provide accurate information to our readers. We do not advocate anal sex. We do not wish to encourage readers to engage in this form of sexual behavior. As previously discussed, anal sex is considered to quite possibly be the riskiest sexual activity due to its connection to HIV/AIDS, which is a very serious disease. We understand that some people do engage in anal sex, regardless of warnings about the associated risks. We hope that those people will be better prepared help stop the spread of STDs and HIV/AIDS by being responsible and safe if they proceed with anal sex, as well as when they engage in other sexual activities.

References

Morin, J. (1998). Anal pleasure and health: A guide for men and women. San Francisco: Down There Press.

Added 9/21/07