Alice,
I heard that anal sex causes the rectum/anus to become larger and creates problems with going to the bathroom. Can you please tell me what the risks are when it comes to anal sex beyond the normal STI/STD and pregnancy risk? Are there any risks involved with anal sex that are not involved with oral or vaginal? Thanks in advance.
—Anal Wonders
Dear Anal Wonders,
Anal sex enthusiasts can relax (a good thing to do during anal sex!), because contrary to what you heard, anal sex does not loosen the anus or cause an inability to control bowel movements. However, there can be risks associated with anal sex other than sexually transmitted infections (STIs), so it's important to take steps to minimize these risks.
Friction, the enemy of pleasure and safety during sex, is produced during anal sex, much as it is during vaginal sex. However, friction may be more of an issue during anal sex because the lining of the anus is more delicate and produces less natural lubricant than the vagina.
Steps to safer anal sex include:
Being very gentle and moving slowly
Using plenty of lubricants (not just saliva)
Using a condom
Avoiding spermicide, which may irritate the rectum
Never moving from anal to vaginal sex without first changing condoms
Stopping if there is severe pain during penetration
Anal sex may make a person more susceptible to bacterial infection around the anus and rectum. This is because the lining of the rectum is not as heavy as the lining of the vagina, so it is more susceptible to tears. If the anus or rectum does get torn, it does not heal as quickly. Because feces that pass through the rectum contain bacteria, any tear in the lining is at risk of getting infected. Lining tears may lead to other problems such as an anal abscess, which
I heard that anal sex causes the rectum/anus to become larger and creates problems with going to the bathroom. Can you please tell me what the risks are when it comes to anal sex beyond the normal STI/STD and pregnancy risk? Are there any risks involved with anal sex that are not involved with oral or vaginal? Thanks in advance.
—Anal Wonders
Dear Anal Wonders,
Anal sex enthusiasts can relax (a good thing to do during anal sex!), because contrary to what you heard, anal sex does not loosen the anus or cause an inability to control bowel movements. However, there can be risks associated with anal sex other than sexually transmitted infections (STIs), so it's important to take steps to minimize these risks.
Friction, the enemy of pleasure and safety during sex, is produced during anal sex, much as it is during vaginal sex. However, friction may be more of an issue during anal sex because the lining of the anus is more delicate and produces less natural lubricant than the vagina.
Steps to safer anal sex include:
Being very gentle and moving slowly
Using plenty of lubricants (not just saliva)
Using a condom
Avoiding spermicide, which may irritate the rectum
Never moving from anal to vaginal sex without first changing condoms
Stopping if there is severe pain during penetration
Anal sex may make a person more susceptible to bacterial infection around the anus and rectum. This is because the lining of the rectum is not as heavy as the lining of the vagina, so it is more susceptible to tears. If the anus or rectum does get torn, it does not heal as quickly. Because feces that pass through the rectum contain bacteria, any tear in the lining is at risk of getting infected. Lining tears may lead to other problems such as an anal abscess, which
Comment