As any type of sexual activity, anal sex also carries some risks with it that you should consider before engaging in it with any new partners and you should always discuss appropriate protection.
What is anal sex?
Anal sex is the stimulation and/or penetration of the anus with a penis, finger, sex toy, mouth or tongue. Due to the myriad of nerve endings around the anal opening, anal sex is enjoyed by both people with penises and vaginas and people of all sexual orientations. Anal stimulation can provide a completely new way to experience pleasure and intimacy, and its taboo nature may add further excitement to people experimenting with anal play for the first time.
What are the risks of having anal sex?
Using protection is very important when engaging in any form of anal sex as sexually transmitted infections can be passed on and caught regardless of sex, however the risk of an unwanted pregnancy for people with vaginas is significantly lower, though not impossible.
The risk of transmitting STIs during unprotected penetrative anal sex is higher than with most other types of sex acts due to the thin lining of the interior of the anal canal which makes it more vulnerable to small tears and damage and therefore more vulnerable to infection.
Similarly, performing oral sex on someone’s anus carries some risks as bacteria and viruses like E. coli and hepatitis can still be transmitted.
Due to the increased chance of transmission, it’s really important that you use protection when having anal sex of any kind. For penetrative sex when a penis or sex toy is inserted you should use a condom and always use plenty of water-based lubricant. The anus does not create natural lubrication like a vagina, so using a good, thick lube is crucial to avoid injuries that increase the risk of infection. Remember not to use oil- and silicone-based lubricants with condoms as these can cause the latex to break down and may expose you and your partner(s).
For anal fingering and fisting, you can use disposable gloves that will prevent contamination between you and your partner. For rimming (anal oral sex) you should use a dental dam that is a small, thin sheet of latex that creates a protective layer between your mouth and the anal entry preventing transmission of any infections.
You should also be aware of transferring bacteria from one orifice to the other so if you wish to have vaginal or oral sex straight after anal sex, make sure that you use a different condom to avoid cross-contamination. Inserting a penis or sex toy into the vagina right after it was inserted into the anus can lead to urinary infection as well as other diseases.
Douching
While many people prefer to douche before anal sex to clean out their anal canal and make penetration less messy, over-douching may cause tiny tears that can actually increase the risk of infection. If you are worried about the cleanliness of your anus before anal sex, it is recommended that you use warm water to wash the outside and only douche mildly.
Never use liquids other than lukewarm water with your enema and make sure you apply lubricant to the tip of the nozzle to make insertion easier. If you know ahead that you want to have anal sex, eat a light fiber-rich diet that day as this can also make douching easier and shorter. When you are douching do not expect the water to be entirely clean before you stop, repeat the douching process 2-4 times only as this will already reduce the amount of mess you and your partner may encounter, but won’t increase the risk of injury and damage.
Summary
Anal sex, like any other sex act, carries some health risks with it, but with appropriate protection and precaution you can engage in this activity without worries.
Anal sex can be really exciting, and it is enjoyed by a lot of people of all sexes, genders and sexual orientations.
Due to the sensitivity of the anal canal it is important to use protection whether the anus is being penetrated by a penis, sex toy, finger or fist or it is being stimulated orally. Condoms are the most efficient in stopping the transmission of STIs during anal penetration, but it’s important to change condoms when switching from one orifice to the other (e.g. anus to vagina, anus to mouth).
Douching may give you a peace of mind in terms of the potential mess involved with anal sex, but it is possible to over-douche which may expose you to increased risk by causing your anal canal small tears and injuries. If you decide to douche you should look up and follow instructions closely.
Always use a lubricant for anal sex as it can reduce the risk of infection by making penetration easier and less likely to cause injury.
If you are worried that you may have an STI you should contact your GP or local sexual health clinic as soon as possible as treatment is available.
