Interest in practice is associated not only with anatomy, but also with psychological aspects.

There are many nerve endings in the anus

Anal sex is not only the penetration of a penis into the anus, but also the use of toys, fingers or tongue. Many people enjoy being touched, oral sex, or penetration of the anus, because there are so many sensitive nerve endings concentrated in this area. For some, on the contrary, it makes them uncomfortable. This is also normal, everyone is different.

Men’s feelings are different

The vagina does not have a sphincter like the rectum. Therefore, it may seem to a man that the anus and intestinal walls are more tightly wrapped around the penis. Also, the vagina has a different texture, so it doesn’t feel the same.

Can stimulate the prostate

True, only if the woman interacts with her fingers or a toy. This sometimes causes a stronger orgasm than penis stimulation. And all because around the prostate is a huge number of nerve endings.

Anal sex can be perceived as exotic

Someone anal sex still seems to be something forbidden and unusual, and this always attracts. Moreover, after discussions in popular series such as Sex and the City, he has already taken his place in culture and is no longer considered a perversion.

Anal sex feels more intimate and special

Many women note that anal sex seems more intimate to them, because they only do it with certain partners and not all the time, but on special occasions.

Anal sex for someone is associated with dominance

For some men and women, anal sex is associated with complex gender traditions: the male hunter conquers and the female passively submits. Sometimes it happens the other way around, when a partner enjoys not only stimulation, but also a change of roles in a couple.

Can anal sex hurt?

Yes. But about how much, experts  disagree . Someone thinks that the scale of potential problems is exaggerated, someone cites frightening studies.

According to Yevgeny Saprykin, medical risks are often brought to the fore because doctors are constantly faced with unpleasant consequences, but do not explain how to make anal sex safer. And patients are ashamed to ask about it and in the future to seek help in time. This is where the vicious circle comes in.

What can harm anal sex

To have anal sex or not is a personal matter for everyone. But both you and your partners should be aware of all potential risks.

May lead to bleeding from the anus

Anal sex can lead to injury. This practice is one of the reasons for the development of anal fissures. Therefore, you should never rush, not prepare and have sex through pain.

In addition, because of it, hemorrhoids can become aggravated , which will also lead to bleeding.

Increases the risk of getting infections

Penetrative anal sex is more dangerous than other types because of the increased risk of spreading infections. This is due to the fact that the walls of the intestines are thinner than the vagina, they are easier to damage. Therefore, they become more vulnerable to infections. There is also  evidence that prostaglandins from semen can inhibit local immunity, which also increases the risks.

This applies not only to STIs like HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, HPV, hepatitis B and genital warts, but also to intestinal infections. For example, such as hepatitis A and E. coli.

Increases the risk of certain types of cancer

Cancer of the rectum, anal canal, cervix and some other types is caused by the human papillomavirus. And as we already wrote, you can get infected with it during anal sex.

Increases the risk of fecal incontinence

Men and women who practice anal sex often experience fecal incontinence. Opinions differ about who it happens to more often and why. Some researchers  point  to men. Others are for women. Like, their sphincters are not so strong, so they get injured more often.

Can lead to bowel prolapse

With weakening of the pelvic muscles, there is also a small chance of  organ prolapse . For men – the rectum, and for women – the vagina and intestines. The older the person, the greater the risk.

How to make anal sex safe

Cleveland Clinic experts  identify  five rules. If you follow them, you can reduce health risks.

Make sure your partner agrees

Anal sex is definitely not a practice that can be taken as a surprise to the host. At least because it increases the risk of injury. Remember that consent to sex does not mean consent to any of its types or at any time, everything needs to be discussed before starting.

Take care of hygiene

Wash the area around the anus thoroughly. It is not necessary to do an enema : firstly, not everyone likes it, and secondly, there is evidence that washing increases the risks of microtrauma and infection.

If you still do not want to give up the anal shower, then rinse the intestines only with water and not deep, no more than 5 cm.

Use lubricant

Unlike the vagina, the rectum does not have its own lubrication, so extra lubricant is always needed. But it’s best not to use anesthetic lubricants so as not to miss the body’s natural pain signals. They will help to avoid cracks and other damage.

Don’t forget protection

Even though you can’t get pregnant from anal sex, you still need a condom. It’s not about contraception, but about protecting against infections, because the likelihood of infection is higher. For anal sex, there are special thickened condoms, but ordinary ones will do, because in fact there is no difference in reliability.

Always change the condom if you are going to switch to vaginal sex and vice versa, so as not to carry bacteria, because the microflora varies greatly. It is not a fact that the intestines will suffer, but there will definitely be vaginitis in the vagina.

Listen to yourself and your partner

If the receiving party is hurt, you need to stop. No other way. Sex shouldn’t be uncomfortable. After that, you can slow down the movements, try to start with your fingers, or stop encroaching on the anus altogether.

If you stop, and the pain does not go away within half an hour, consult a doctor. Also, medical assistance is needed if severe bleeding has begun or it is not very intense, but has not passed within half an hour.

The absence of disease is not health. Therefore, risk reduction should not become an end in itself, but must serve the quality of life. For many people, anal sex brings great pleasure and intimacy. And these are the key components of sexual well-being, they cannot simply be discounted. From a health point of view, it is important to promote the idea of ​​the normality of the experience of anal sex, not to prohibit and scare, but to strive to find ways for people to have anal sex both more safely and with greater pleasure.