From what to eat beforehand to how to do it safely, there’s a lot to learn about anal sex. Not least how you should care for yourself afterward (AKA anal sex aftercare).
Aftercare plays an essential role in being healthy. So we will go over why it is so important, how to recover from anal play, and much more!
Table Of Contents
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You cannot learn too much about sex. Some people might be looking for new vaginal sex positions to try. Then there are those seeking to improve their love-making skills. Whatever reason you or anyone else wants to further their sexual know-how, we here at My Sex Toy Guide can help!
Able to utilize our in-house human sexuality experts, we can also call on other, more experienced sex educators. So between us, we can answer practically any sex question you might have.
Providing us with their extensive sexuality knowledge for this article is M.Christian. They are a highly regarded erotica writer, sex tech journalist, and well-versed in nearly every sexual behavior you can imagine. All of which makes them suited to teaching about anal aftercare.
What Is Anal Sex Aftercare?
Anal aftercare involves techniques a penetrated partner can do to recover from this sexual activity.
As we will go over shortly, aftercare can be physical, emotional, or both.
Just as those who received anal sex can say what they liked during it, only they can determine what works afterward.
So while we have plenty of suggestions, do not think they are set-in-stone golden rules. Yes, we encourage you to try them. Not because they are guaranteed to work, but because you do not know which will or will not until you try.
Though we insist everyone should passionately furthering their anal sex education. All of us need to stay well informed, especially when it is about anal pleasure.
For aftercare, we found several excellent sites for you to check out. WebMD has a great breakdown of the pleasures and possible pitfalls of anal intercourse. They also go over what treatments might be necessary should any injuries occur.
Meanwhile, TheBody has another comprehensive aftercare guide. It’s an absolute must-read for everyone interested in anal penetration, particularly how it delves deeply into aftercare tips and techniques.
Why Is Anal Sex Aftercare Important?
Anal aftercare is important because this sexual activity can easily result in physical or emotional trauma.
Your ass is excellent at pushing human waste out. But unlike oral sex or vaginal intercourse, your butt was not built to have a penis or sex toy enter into it.
This is why you should always be careful before, during, and after anal. Though it can be and often is a lot of fun, it can also be risky.
In previous articles, we discussed how to minimize most of them. But as many of these possible problems can be life-threatening, let’s briefly revisit them.
Safe Sex
Arguably, the biggest risk is contracting or exposing a play partner to a sexually transmitted infection. You are probably already familiar with HIV, which can lead to AIDS. But it’s not the only disease you should worry about.
Great Britain’s National Health Service has a comprehensive breakdown of these STDs. But to save you from looking at another webpage, here are some highlights.
Of them all, Hepatitis A and B can be exceptionally nasty. The same for gonorrhoea, syphilis, and chlamydia. Then there are genital warts or herpes.
All of these can be mostly avoided by practicing safe sex, involving using a new condom often during sex. Latex barriers are also great for ass-to-mouth play. Do not think they are exclusive to anal sex, as you should always practice safe sex for vagina play.
What does all this have to do with aftercare? No one should worry that they may have contracted these diseases. Not if they used latex barriers and condoms.
Therefore, to avoid waking up in a blind panic, always use condoms and other safe sex practices.
Injuries
Injuring or irritating the anus is another concern. To alleviate both, use copious amounts of an anal-play-designed lubricant. By “copious,” we do not mean a little now and again. Rather, keep it flowing at regular intervals, particularly if the penetrated partner experiences any discomfort.
Hemorrhoids are a common anal issue. They are mostly when this kind of sex involves insufficient lube. They can also happen by using water-based lubes rather than oil or silicone ones.
Unfortunately, it can be hard to tell your run-of-the-mill hemorrhoid from a perforated colon or torn anal tissues. The former is simple to treat and is not usually dangerous. The latter two are serious and require immediate medical attention.
Anal might negatively affect the specific bacteria in your gut, resulting in diarrhea or constipation. If either lasts longer than a day or two or is accompanied by pain, you should consult a medical expert.
Excessive bleeding or pain after anal sex is usually a surefire sign something is wrong. If so, get you and your ass to a doctor as soon as possible. The same is true if you take an unusually long time to recover.
We also recommend going to a medical professional if you have other concerns or physical issues. After all, there is nothing wrong with wanting to make sure you and your body are okay.
Again, a lot of this you will learn by studying how your body recuperates post anal. Even so, never hesitate to seek professional advice when needed.
How To Do Anal Sex Aftercare?
Now we will go over the specific things you should do to perform anal aftercare. As we said, experimenting with any or all of them can narrow down what will or will not be effective.
Also, feel free to discover your and your partner’s anal aftercare plan. These can be anything from what you eat after anal sex, how to clean up, or ways to emotionally decompress.
1. Clean your butt
A general aftercare rule is to begin with a hydrating drink before gently washing your ass. But do not scrub it, as your anal sphincter will likely be extremely sensitive.
So steer clear of anything abrasive like toilet paper. Towels are okay, but the softer you can find, the better. We should not have to mention avoiding dirty towels.
You should definitely avoid heavily medicated baby wipes or anything scented. Use a spritz of warm, never hot water instead. This is why a bidet is your friend. Make them very gentle baby wipes if you have to use a wipe.
When done, be sure and properly dispose of whatever you used.
It might be better to think of what you are doing as washing instead of cleaning your ass. Mostly because we all consider “cleaning” as scouring an area, which will not leave your tush feeling very good.
2. Soak in the tub
Want to know a great way to relax after anal sex? Look no further than some Epsom salts in a soapy hot water bath. Combined, they will untie even the tightest of knotted muscles. Soaking in an Epsom salt bath is also ideal for post-anal decompressing.
A shower is also good, while a hot tub is not. Our reasoning is spas or jacuzzis are typically too hot for your ass. Additionally, they are usually chemically treated, which is also not particularly beneficial to anal sex aftercare.
If neither is available, tuck yourself into a comfy bed after eating a blood sugar raising snack. These can feel purifying and restorative.
Though, remember you might experience some post-penetration bleeding. So you might want to wrap yourself in a towel or slip on some loose-fitting underwear to avoid staining the sheets.
3. Keep an eye on your ass
After sex glow over? Now it is time to check if you are bleeding or not. Same if your ass is hurting more than you are comfortable with. Some blood is sort of expected, though more than a little might be cause for concern.
If your ass is uncomfortably swollen, take ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory over-the-counter medications.
Not unexpectedly, having a bowel movement will probably be more than a little uncomfortable. But a trip to your doctor is usually a good idea if it remains so for longer than a day afterward.
You could also consider applying a numbing agent to your sore muscles during the first four or five hours post penetration.
4. Pay attention to your body
As anal penetration play may affect how you expel waste, afterward, observe how much and often you do it.
If you experience fecal incontinence or constipation, try changing your diet. Drinking fluids can do wonders for keeping things moving. But avoid alcohol and caffeine, as they can dry out your gastrointestinal tract.
To slow your digestion down, consider Metamucil. Though only the minimum recommended amount as otherwise, you could end up constipated.
If you notice sores or experience nausea or cramps visiting your physician is probably in order.
Feeling awkward or uncomfortable when discussing anal sex with them is natural. But not doing so increases the possibility that whatever is bothering you will only worsen.
Just repeat to yourself that anal play is normal, and there is nothing shameful about it. Your doctor should feel the same. If they do not, then find one who does. Because when it comes to anything about human sexuality, there is no normal.
5. Give yourself time to heal
Remember our discussion about why anal is inherently risky? This is why sexual experts recommend only doing it twice or thrice a week.
Even so, give yourself lots of time to heal between bouts, including not using sex toys.
Gently fingering someone’s ass can help see if their anus is injured or not.
How long your body takes is between you and it. This is another reason you should try different anal sex recovery techniques.
Then, when you find the most effective ones, you can learn how to plan your activities accordingly.
6. Care for your mind and your body
Finally, do not neglect your emotional well-being. Intentional care taking is nothing to be ashamed of.
Remember, anal play can be intense, leaving you feeling extremely vulnerable. Particularly for those new to this sort of activity. It’s also the case for people who had a particularly long session.
So along with treating your anus well, strive to do the same with your feelings.
Spending quality time with a sexual partner or meditating can help you process your emotions. Treating yourself to something special or merely relaxing to calming music can also be effective.
There is nothing overly sentimental in wanting to be comfortable and happy. Sometimes even the most everyday things can be just what you need to feel better. Plus, do not discount the positive effect an intentional display of affection from a partner can have.
Talk it over with your partner beforehand to help set the stage for your emotional recovery. By carefully explaining your needs and desires, they can be better prepared for what you need afterward.
Prior negotiations are also where you can make sure your penetrating partner is on the same sexual page as you. If they are not mentally present, then seriously consider not playing with them.
The same is true if you do not trust them to be there for you. It is never easy to turn down an opportunity to play. But as anal will always be at least somewhat risky, everyone should choose their playmates wisely.
So get out there and have lots of anal fun. Just be sure to stay educated, always play safe, and take care of yourself afterward.
Thanks for reading my guide on how to recover from anal sex!
M.Christian
Do you have any anal sex questions? Ask us on Twitter.
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