The idea of trying anal sex may arise in people for various reasons: curiosity, watching porn, the desire to experience new sensations or to diversify their sex life. However, it may not always be safe, and there are things you should know before practicing this type of sex. We will tell you with a proctologist what is attractive about this practice and what consequences it may have.
Is it true that anal sex feels good?
From a medical point of view, this process can be pleasurable because the skin around the anus and the anal canal itself (the very last section of the rectum, about 5 cm long) are richly supplied with sensitive receptors and many nerve endings.
The human body has a genital nerve. It has several functions: some of its fibers are responsible for the work of the perineal muscles, others for the sensitivity of the perineal skin. This nerve comes out of the spinal column in the area of the lumbar vertebrae and goes to the small pelvis, branching out there into separate small nerves. Several branches go to the skin of the external genitals and the skin around the anus. They are responsible for skin sensitivity. That is why touching the skin around the anus can be as pleasant and arousing as touching the skin of the genitals. The anus area is also an erogenous zone for some people.
Other branches of the genital nerve go to the penis and clitoris and to the muscles of the perineum. Including the anal sphincter (a circular muscle that closes the anus), which are directly involved in sexual intercourse.
Meanwhile, the rectum and anal canal are not intended for penetration. They are intended for the accumulation of feces and their evacuation from the body. Unlike the vagina, which is very elastic and can stretch significantly, and also secretes natural lubrication, the anal canal cannot boast of this – it stretches very little and does not secrete lubrication. Accordingly, the risk of getting injured mucous membranes during penetration is higher. Therefore, it is very difficult to call anal sex a “natural process”.
How Often Can You Have Anal Sex
This is a very good question, to which there is no clear answer. Anal sex by mutual consent, with due arousal, neat, careful and infrequent may not entail negative consequences. It is important not to forget about the use of lubricant and a condom, and to insert the penis, toy, fingers very slowly, without sudden movements, clarifying with the partner his feelings.
But what does “infrequent” mean? There are no statistics that would give a clear answer. But there are studies that show that those who practice anal sex regularly (workers in the porn industry, for example) often develop anal sphincter insufficiency (this is a partial or complete violation of voluntary and involuntary retention of intestinal contents), fecal incontinence, and rectal prolapse.
Therefore, here it is worth relying only on common sense. As a variety of sexual life, perhaps once a month (maybe less or more often – it depends on people) and subject to the above conditions, this can be quite safe.
What are the possible consequences of anal sex?
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Due to the fact that damage to the anal canal mucosa is more likely than to the vaginal mucosa, the risk of transmitting STIs is several times higher. Sexually transmitted infections are caused by microorganisms (bacteria or viruses) and can be transmitted through blood, sperm, and vaginal fluid. Infection occurs through contact “mucous – mucous”, “mucous – skin”, for some infections (herpes, HPV) contact “skin – skin” may be sufficient. The larger the surface of the mucous membrane and the more damage it has, the higher the likelihood of infection. It is especially worth recalling the risks of contracting HIV and the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Any sexually transmitted infection can be contracted through anal sex. Classic infections: syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis. Genital herpes, human papillomavirus. HIV, hepatitis B and C.
HPV causes genital warts. These are small growths (some call them cauliflower-like), pinkish-whitish. During vaginal sex, they will be localized mainly in the vulva area, during anal sex – around the anus and in the anal canal. They are benign, but you need to see a specialist to discuss their treatment.
It is important for women to remember that some types of HPV cause cervical cancer and to have regular check-ups with a gynecologist.
HPV also causes anal cancer. Anal sex is one of the risk factors. This is a very rare disease, in people with healthy immunity (without HIV infection and other diseases of the immune system) it is extremely rare, but it is still important to remember. There is no treatment for HPV, but there is prevention – vaccination (it is better before the onset of sexual activity, at 9-11 years old, but it is also possible after the onset of sexual activity, and even for those already infected with HPV it will be effective).
There are no specific infections that can be contracted only through anal sex (and not through vaginal sex). But if you do not take precautions (do not maintain hygiene, do not change the condom between anal and vaginal contacts), you can get inflammatory diseases of the vagina (and urinary tract), because the microflora of the intestine and vagina is very different.
Injuries
Minor mucosal injuries: tears and microcracks – all this is a relatively common occurrence during anal sex. They can be completely asymptomatic, can cause discomfort in the anus, you can see traces of blood on toilet paper. If the symptoms persist (the next day after contact and do not go away) – this is a reason to contact a specialist.
More serious injuries (anal sphincter injuries) are rare and usually occur as a result of violence. An anal sphincter injury is a rupture of muscle fibers, a violation of the integrity of the muscle ring that closes the anus, which can lead to fecal incontinence. This is also a reason to consult a specialist.
Proctological diseases
Anal sex can provoke complications of hemorrhoids. As this disease develops, the ratio of blood flow to and from the hemorrhoidal nodes is disrupted (the nodes enlarge) and the ligamentous apparatus that holds them in place is stretched (the nodes begin to fall out). The exact mechanisms of this process are unknown. Perhaps hereditary predisposition plays a role. But the provoking factors are well known: constipation, diarrhea, sedentary work, a sedentary lifestyle, heavy physical activity, pregnancy and childbirth. Anal sex seems to have nothing to do with it, and it does not provoke the development of hemorrhoids themselves. But if a person already has enlarged hemorrhoids, they can be injured with penetrating contact and friction, which can cause bleeding or inflammation of the nodes – an exacerbation of hemorrhoids.
Anal sex can also lead to incontinence, but only with regular (e.g. daily) contact. Then microdamage to the anal sphincter can occur (not a muscle rupture, but small tears), the muscle gradually weakens, its tone decreases, and it ceases to cope with the holding function. There is evidence that women who have had anal sex in the last month more often report problems with stool.
Anal sex does not cause any specific diseases. But if you do not treat a crack that has arisen as a result of an injury, it can become chronic. It is characterized by very sharp, acute pain during and after defecation. It requires a visit to a specialist and is treated surgically.
How can risks be minimized?
Discuss your desires and possibilities with your partner
This should be a conscious, balanced decision by both. Don’t engage in anal sex just because “your partner really wants it” or “if I don’t agree, the other one will.” This is a bad idea from the start. Anal sex requires more preparation, a long foreplay, and maximum arousal. The more aroused a person is, the more relaxed the muscles are, which means penetration is easier and the risk of injury is lower.
Use a condom
In any situation. Infections do not sleep. When switching from anal to vaginal sex, it is also necessary to change the condom. If you do not maintain hygiene and do not change the condom between anal and vaginal contacts, you can get inflammatory diseases of the vagina and urinary tract – as I already said, the microflora of the intestine and vagina is very different.
Use lubricant
It is necessary to use lubricant (there is a special thicker lubricant for anal sex, sold in specialized stores) in adequate quantities. It is better to use a lot of lubricant and, if necessary, add more during the process, because the anal canal, unlike the vagina, does not produce its own lubricant.
If you wish to use sex toys
Choose only those specially designed for this purpose and presented in specialized stores. Such toys are distinguished by the presence of a stopper, so that they can in no way slip out of your hands and penetrate further into the intestine. No improvised means (and even toys without limiters) should be used under any circumstances!
Do not use psychoactive substances or lubricants with anesthetic.
In order to feel in time that something has gone wrong, you cannot use lubricants with anesthetic, because they reduce sensitivity and there is a risk of ignoring painful sensations and getting injured. Also, you should not drink alcohol or other psychoactive substances before having anal sex. All this has an analgesic effect, and it becomes difficult for a person to control the process, feel that something is wrong, and adequately assess their feelings.
If pain occurs, do not tolerate it, but immediately stop engaging in anal sex .
And if after anal sex pain, discomfort, bleeding or a feeling of incontinence continues, you should definitely consult a specialist.