Once a taboo subject and still relatively controversial, anal sex has gained a reputation due to the evidence surrounding it that the sexual practice leads to anal cancer. This practice involves receiving someone in the bottom, specifically the penis – sometimes it is referred to as rectal sex. There are considerable health risks attributed to this type of sex, so it’s important that those engaging in it are safe and take the appropriate precautions. Anal sex is commonly associated with gay couples, but it has become more common for heterosexual couples to enjoy anal sex – it’s thought that our increasing access to pornography has something to do with this, as this is a common feature of ‘blue movies’. There are various ways in which couples can enjoy anal sex, such as postillionage, which involves putting a finger into your partner’s bottom, butt plugs which are sex toys designed for the anus, and rimming which involves oral sex on the bottom. Lastly, ‘fisting’ involves putting the hand into the rectum, though this activity is rare amongst heterosexual couples. There is a significant risk of infection with anal sex activities, so good hygiene and safe sex precautions are strongly advised to avoid this. Some people still view anal sex as a taboo and carry strong feelings or guilt or anxiety about it – however, many people enjoy these activities and find them exciting and stimulating. There are many erotic nerve endings in this area, which explains why both men and women enjoy them so much.
If practiced with care, anal sex can be extremely enjoyable – there is a risk of infection though. The main risks are the HPV virus – there is no doubt by medical experts that anal intercourse can carry a greater risk of the transmission of HIV, particularly for the receptive partner. There are certain risks of the spread of anal warts, as well as certain strains of the HPV virus having cancer-provoking potential. Hepatitis A is a viral infection which can cause abdominal pain, and though it isn’t a life threatening illness, it can make people feel quite ill. This is generally transmitted by oral-anal contact. Hepatitis C is also transmitted by anal intercourse, though this is rare. Naturally, avoiding anal sex is the best way to avoid these health concerns, but if you do want to engage in this form of sex there are ways to make it safer. Condoms and water-based lubricants, such as K-Y jelly, will offer some protection against sexually transmitted diseases – other lubricants can cause the condom to split which can lead to the spread of infection. You may wish to use specially designed condoms for this activity, as these are tougher and offer more protection.
You should ensure that the anal area is thoroughly clean and that the bowel is empty – this is for both aesthetic, practical and hygiene reasons. You can ease into anal sex by using a well-lubricated finger (maybe covered in a condom) to give the receptive partner a chance to see whether they enjoy anal sex and find it comfortable. You should approach anal sex carefully and gently – pushing too hard and forcefully will lead to discomfort and injury – plenty of lubricant in this area will help with penetration. Fisting involves placing the whole hand in the rectum, and this is physically possible providing that the receptive partner is fully relaxed. There is a significant risk of injury with this activity though, as the diameter of the hand is far greater than the rectum – for this reason, medical professionals don’t advise this practice. The same can be said of rimming – there is an increased risk of infection from this form of sexual activity. If you do take part in rimming with your partner, you can use specially designed latex shields which offer some protection against infection.