Your Guide To Enjoyable & Safe Anal Sex

Oh yes, we’re going there. Right in there. You know we love to talk about taboo topics on the Full Stop blog, and this is one we were keen to dive into since it’s so rarely talked about. Anal sex is the act of penetrative sex with a penis (or you might use a toy or vibrator) into the anus. It’s very similar to vaginal sex, but there are a few differences when you’re doing it in the derrière. Let’s explore… 

Why do people like anal?

While some people shy away from anal sex, or don’t care for it, others enjoy it and sometimes prefer it. The anus is full of sensitive nerve endings that are stimulated during anal sex, and this can make it enjoyable for all genders. For cisgender women and those assigned female at birth, it can sometimes reach the G-spot and, wait for it, the A-spot. 

Yes folks, there’s another spot in there, located near the G-spot along the vaginal wall, and some find that when these are stimulated indirectly during anal sex, it can bring on more intense orgasms. Plus there’s the added bonus that it can minimise (but not eliminate) pregnancy risk. Handy!

Is it safe, and are there any risks? 

Risks are easy to avoid with anal sex, but they do exist, and unfortunately there tends to be a tad more risk than with vaginal sex. 

Firstly, the anus doesn’t have the same natural lubrication the vagina has, which makes penetration tougher and more likely to cause tears in the tissue inside the anus. This can lead to bacteria and viruses entering the bloodstream, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Although anal sex minimises the likelihood of pregnancy, it does not reduce the risk of STIs. 

Since the anal sphincter (otherwise known as the butt hole) is tight, penetration can sometimes be painful and difficult, and over time, repetition could cause the anal sphincter to weaken, and make holding poop in a bit more difficult. Kegel exercises can help with this.

The anus contains a lot of bacteria, which makes switching from anal sex to oral or vaginal sex a risk. If bacteria from the anus spreads to other areas it can cause urinary tract infections and more. Best avoided by changing condoms or cleaning off before you enter any other orifices! 

Although very uncommon, colon perforation is also a risk with anal sex, which would require surgical repair. If you experience heavy bleeding from the anus or pain following anal sex, you should see a doctor. You shouldn’t need to worry about this as long as you take it slow, don’t ignore pain, and basically don’t put anything too big up there! 

I tried it once and it didn’t work for me - why? 

Anal sex can be very personal. Some people don’t enjoy it, or find the idea a bit gross. After all, it’s the hole you poop out of. If that’s you, there’s no reason to feel pressure to keep trying. If you do want to, it can take a few goes to find what you’re comfortable with. 

The biggest key to anal sex is to engage in plenty of foreplay in order to feel super relaxed with your partner. The more relaxed you are, the easier it will be. The anus is designed to tighten, so relaxation and a lot of lube are key for a smooth entry! Remember, the anus doesn’t self-lubricate like the vagina does, so having an ample supply of lube nearby is going to ensure it doesn’t hurt, and make it more enjoyable. 

Is it… messy?

The movies would have you believe it’s a spur-of-the-moment sexual experience, but in reality anal sex tends to take a bit of prep work, and part of that is to minimise mess. It’s not impossible for poop to emerge from the anus while you’re having your fun. Don’t panic though! There are ways to avoid this happening. 

It goes without saying that you should feel comfortable enough with the person you’re having sex with that, should a mishap occur, it’s not a big deal and becomes something to giggle about rather than run away from. If you’re really worried about it being messy, you can try:

• Going to the bathroom - empty your bowels a few hours before sex 
• Washing around the anus - make sure you’re all clean and fresh down there 
• Douching - this means flushing out the anus with water (sometimes called an enema). Remember, douching is not advised for vaginas as it can affect the pH balance and cause infections, but the anus is less risky
• Doing it in the shower - by having anal sex in the shower you may be able to keep everything clean and minimise risk of poop exposure! 

How do I reduce the risks?

There are some simple ways to reduce the risks associated with anal sex:

• Have a good clean in the shower before and after to minimise spread of bacteria
• Cut your nails so they’re short for any sexual activity involving the anus. This avoids any tears that could cause infection
• Change condoms if you want to put a penis into a mouth or vagina after it's been inside the anus. This also minimises the transfer of bacteria
• Use lots of lube to reduce the risk of tears in the anus
• Stop immediately if anal sex becomes painful
• See your doctor after anal sex if you notice bleeding or experience abdominal pain
• Wear a condom and take measures to protect yourself from STIs, such as getting the HPV vaccine

Are you curious about trying anal sex? You can ask any questions you have over in our private Facebook group, or drop us a note on Insta @itsyoppie. Don't forget that our personalised period box can get organic tampons, pads, liners (and more!) delivered easily and regularly through your letterbox. That frees up some headspace for thinking about the more fun things you can get up to below the belt!