Is anal sex safe? If you’re a beginner just getting started with butt stuff, you will find this article by sex educator M.Christian helpful!
Anal sex is absolutely safe to engage in. That is if you respect its risks. Equally, when it comes to being diligent about taking the necessary precautions.
But what are those risks, and how diligent do you have to be to enjoy safe anal intercourse?
The answers to these are other vital questions we are going to explore. New to anal play or familiar with its pleasures, we hope you will learn how to do it for a long time.
Table Of Contents
Why You Should Trust Us
To call all of us here at My Sex toy Guide sexual experts is an understatement. Every one of our writers and reviewers has considerable experience and extensive education, particularly regarding the ins and outs of human sexuality.
For our anal sex safety guide, sex tech journalist, sex educator, and erotica author M.Christian is joining us. A longtime anal sex enthusiast, they bring a great balance between enthusiasm for it and an eyes-wide-open approach to its risks.
Is Anal Sex Safe?
Anal sex is safe to engage in for sexually active women and men alike. But as we said, only if you remain keenly aware of its potential risk, for example, exposure to possibly life-threatening Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) like HIV and hepatitis B.
All of these can be avoided by understanding and actively working to minimize the risk.
Not least of which is stringently adhering to safe sex practices.
So it’s condoms now, then, and always to reduce the risk of HIV transmission when playing with a partner. Even if the penetrating person is STI-free.
Besides, when it comes to sexual activity, you can never be too responsible or safe. This is true for vaginal canal play or anus sex.
Because not being safe increases the likelihood that sooner rather than later, bad stuff will happen.
And by bad, we mean those mentioned above extremely serious illnesses. Many of which, like HIV and hepatitis B, can be fatal.
But please don’t despair that you will never be able to relish in the sexual delights of anal play.
On the contrary, you can as often as you like. That is, if you know how to reduce the risk.
How To Have Safe Anal Sex In 5 Steps
Whatever sort of anal intercourse you want or like, there are some basic things everyone must do.
If penis penetration is on the agenda, getting tested for STIs and knowing your HIV risk is necessary for everyone involved should be mandatory.
But a negative result is not automatically an anal sex get-out-of-jail-free card.
Rather, by learning each other’s status and HIV risk, you can make mutually informed decisions regarding what each of you is comfortable with.
Particularly what to do in the case of accidental exposure, like a condom breaking or if anyone is exposed to the other’s blood.
1. Pre-sex preparations
Penetration, butt fisting, sex toys, or any other type of anal penetration is on your sexual agenda; ass cleanliness is highly recommended for safe anal sex.
Begin by closely regulating what you eat twenty-four to forty-eight hours beforehand.
It may not sound appetizing, but drinking copious amounts of water and restricting yourself to a soluble fiber diet can do wonders for moving waste through your gastrointestinal tract.
A sample of what you should eat to make your stool naturally flow is white rice, non-dairy yogurt, peeled vegetables, and seedless fruits.
Emphasis on seedless, as you do not want sharp, undigested bits of anything in your colon.
Foods to avoid encompasses anything containing caffeine, as it tends to dry you out.
Likewise, steer clear of fast foods, cheese, or anything dairy, red meat, and stuff with high-fat ingredients.
The thing is, your anal sex diet may not be someone else’s.
Because everyone’s metabolism is, to put it simply, their own. So we can only make this somewhat broad suggestion of what to eat or not.
Maintaining a diary on what you eat and expel or taking a nutrition examination survey are fantastic ways to help perfect your diet.
Though keep in mind that nothing is set in stone regarding our bodies.
So be prepared to adjust or alter your food intake whenever needed.
On a side note, your pre-sex preparations should include educating yourself on anal sex risks.
On this, Healthline media websites provide an invaluable service towards furthering your education. They provide access to popular articles and peer-reviewed studies on everything you need to know.
Like Healthline media, there are other sources of vital information. The American Journal of Preventive Medicine is another excellent source.
In your search for authoritative experiences and additional most popular articles, be sure to stick with secure sites with unique ids.
They will reduce your anal sex risk and do their best to prevent fraud.
Though be sure to securely process your time on them, so take time to manage settings and be wary of a content ad to protect yourself.
More on anal sex preparations here.
2. Enemas
The most effective way to clean your anus is to wash it out. And a great technique to do this is anal douching.
Some anal sex aficionados aren’t fans of a pre-sex enema. Which they say isn’t necessary if your diet did its job of flushing out your system.
They also point to how douching may dilute the colon’s natural lubricant.
But we tend toward caution and good hygiene, especially for those new to anal sex.
Anal douching makes your anus as poop free as possible. It also reduces the possibility of irritation or infection and minimizes the risk of exposure to fecal matter.
We can only suggest douching with an enema as an effective method for getting your anus as nice and clean.
3. Patience
You have tweaked your diet to move as much waste out of your body. Then you used an enema to flush out any remaining icky stuff.
Suppose you are somewhat inexperienced in anal intercourse. In that case, you will want to introduce your ass to having something or someone inserted into it. The following is contingent on what you have done before and how your body might react.
Use a gloved finger and tons of oil or silicone-based lube to massage your anal sphincter gently to get the ball rolling.
Further information on what lubes to use and which ones to avoid is coming up shortly.
The more relaxed your anus gets, the more you can slowly, patiently introduce one and then two or more fingers. Back off immediately if you experience any pain.
Similarly, stop if there’s a lot of blood, which could mean irritated hemorrhoids or anal fissures. Irregular bowel movements, as well, which might be a sign that something has gone wrong.
None of these might be life-threatening. But if the pain is especially intense and there is more than a small amount of blood, visit your local emergency room.
Again, when it comes to sex, it is always better to be safe and possibly embarrassed than sorry.
After getting familiar with your fingers, graduate to a butt plug. Or any anal sex designed and approved sex toy. You will likely need more than one if you want to keep expanding your anal sphincter.
4. Keep the lube flowing
Remember our promise about getting back to the correct lube to use? Well, here we are.
Excuse the lame joke, but the “bottom line” is to stick to anal sex formatted lubes.
They are usually oil or silicone-based because the anus absorbs water while the vagina does not.
So water-based lubricants or vaginal sex lube will not work. But a non-water based-lubricant will keep your ass slick and irritation-free.
Conversely, do not apply anal lubes to a vagina, which could lead to a yeast infection. In other words, a vagina is very different from your ass.
As opposed to vaginal intercourse, anal sex needs way more lubrication than you might expect. More than anything, a slick anus works wonders for preventing the tissue inside from getting damaged.
Along, of course, with the receiver being extra comfortable. No one is expected to enjoy having a person or object thrust up their backside without lube.
5. Communicate!
One of, if not the most essential things for anal sex safety is for both parties to communicate effectively.
When conscientiously established and rigorously maintained, it helps prevent discomfort or injury. A receptive partner or a giving partner is worth their weight in gold.
Good communication allows partners to share their concerns and desires without judgment or intimidation, like being open about pre-existing health conditions that might be easily spread.
So, before you do anything with your or someone else’s partner, talk to each other.
Listen, respect what is said, and when it is your turn, talk from your own heart. If something feels weird, painful, or uncomfortable, say so.
Is Unprotected Anal Sex Safe?
Unprotected anal sex with a partner can be safe. But as we discussed, doing so without a condom on a penis is not a good idea.
If you or your partner want to go bareback, the least you can do is get tested for STIs and other infections.
Then everyone should refrain from having sex with anyone else between getting tested and playing with each other.
The other option is fluid bonding; a couple does not practice safe sex. But rigorously, use a condom, gloves, and so forth when playing with anyone outside their circle.
HIV and hepatitis B can be life-threatening. They are also frighteningly easy to contract.
So we again strongly suggest using a condom, even between life partners.
How Often Can I Have Anal Sex?
You can have anal every day if you want. It is a myth that doing so will loosen or harm your anal sphincter or always results in fecal incontinence.
However, please don’t forget that your body isn’t the same as anyone else’s.
We bring this up as some people can have anal sex all the time. However, others may not find it comfortable or enjoyable to do so.
The bottom line, listen to your body and what it tells you. Also, fellow anal sex enthusiasts can be a great source of support.
But try not to feel pressured to do anything you do not want to, including having anal sex more times than you can comfortably handle.
Aside from that, there’s only one other possible problem with anal sex every day. We are talking about how more anal sex increases the possibility of injury.
But if you make a real effort to play safely more often than not, you can enjoy anal sex all the time.
And without undue and unpleasant risks while doing it.
What Lube Is Safe For Anal Sex?
There are many lubricants safe for anal sex. As they are essential for comfortable, enjoyable, and safe play, let’s talk more about them.
We have already touched on why silicone and oil-based lubes are important, as the rectum will quickly absorb water-based lubricants.
And anal sex play with a less-than-moist anal canal is no fun.
There are other reasons oil and silicone lubes are the way to go. First off, anal sex formulated condoms will not dissolve or break versus what could happen if you use the wrong lube.
So when stocking up on anal sex supplies, ensure everything you get plays well together.
Like how certain anal sex toys, like butt plugs, don’t like silicone lubes. To avoid ruining your toys, only use manufacturer-recommended lubes.
If you are new to anal sex, get a variety of lubes to try out to give you a good idea of what feels good and what does not. From there you will know which one to buy a lot of.
These days have specially formulated lubes. But decades ago, shortening was the universal favorite. It was cheap, easy to get, and came in huge containers; ideal anal sex, fisting, mouth-to-anus play, or anything else.
But that was then, and this is now. So unless you are nostalgic for those bygone years, choose a newer, state-of-the-art lube.
Is Anal Safe During Pregnancy?
Anal sex can be safe if the receiving person is pregnant.
Though, when you do, remember to double or triple your safety precautions. And always consult your health care provider first.
Your precautions should be further reinforced by increasing your communication skills. Consulting any number of wellness professionals is also a good idea.
If you or your partner this extra level of consciousness is not doable, stick to vaginal intercourse. That is until you are both ready for it. Or perhaps after the birth, as the case might be.
Here and everywhere, caution, education, and safe sex due diligence can be the difference between low and high-risk anal sex.
During pregnancy, the need to be responsible and thorough is far higher. So double down your sexual behavior cautiousness if someone has a bun in the oven.
Risks Of Anal Sex
By now, you might be a bit freaked out. For good reasons, too. But before we delve into its specific risks, we want to say that anal sex can be incredibly pleasurable for men and women.
As it can be for you, depending on your relevant experience with it and what sexually arouses you.
But only if you know what to watch out for and what you can do to avoid them.
1. STIs
One more time with feeling. Sexually Transmitted Infections like HIV and hepatitis B can be spread and contracted via blood. Anal sex, even when lots of lube are careful preparations are made, can cause bleeding.
This is the important reason why gloves, condoms, and everything else you need should always be readily available.
Not to mention used every time you engage in anal penetration. Change condoms frequently as well. It may not completely prevent infection but dramatically reduces the likelihood of it.
Even anus to oral contact needs a protective barrier as herpes and such are another concern. So always put something between your mouth and someone else’s anus.
2. Anal Trauma
Okay, that title might be a bit overly dramatic. But unlike vaginal sex, we mean your rectum was not built for anal intercourse.
Without enough lube, excessive force, or other things, can damage your anus. We are talking anal fissures, bruising, and bacterial infections.
These and other potential injuries are avoidable if you err on the side of caution.
That and staying in constant communication with your partner so play can immediately halt if there is any pain or merely discomfort.
3. Gastrointestinal upset
Another evolutionary fact about your anus is it is the happy home to countless microscopic critters. A majority of them keep your gut nice and healthy.
But throw anal sex into the mix, and they can get upset. And disrupted gut bacteria and flora are not fun for the person whose body they inhabit.
Fecal incontinence, and abdominal pain, are only a few of the potential risks.
Alas, you cannot do much to prevent a gastrointestinal uprising. It is one of those things people sometimes or sometimes do not develop.
Upsets like this can be caused by an allergic reaction to lube or perhaps from too much air entering the bowels.
The good news is reframing from anal sex for a while can give you back a regular bowel movement. Eating a gut-healthy diet also works. But pay a visit to a healthcare professional if fecal incontinence, anal leakage, or pain persists.
Now get out there are enjoy the many pleasures of anal sex. Just keep your head screwed on straight. That and never forget the universal maxim for sex and everything else in life, to “hope for the best, but plan for the worst.”
You can read more on how to bottom here.
M.Christian
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