How do you stay safe during anal sex?
Anal intercourse is becoming more commonplace for Heterosexual couples. Recent sexual health studies in developed countries have that an equal proportion of Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) and heterosexual couples are having anal intercourse. Unfortunately, the studies also show that heterosexual couples are less likely to practice safe sex during anal intercourse.
Anal Intercourse usually involved one partner inserting his penis into the anus of the receptive partner. There is also a practice known as Pegging where a woman uses an artificial penis to penetrate the anus of her male partner.
Anal Intercourse is identified by the World Health Organisation as a significant risk factor for contracting Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) because the activity tends to be injure the surrounding tissue more with more blood present when compared to vaginal or oral intercourse. Therefore crucial that you understand the best practices for anal intercourse in order to keep you and your partners safe.
Want to know what is the risk of getting infected with HIV from anal sex? Click on this link to find out!
Here are the Top 4 best practices for Anal Sex
1. Condom
Although condoms are essential in all penetrative sexual encounters, it is particularly important in anal intercourse. Condoms serve as a physical barrier that prevents blood and other body fluids from coming into contact with the penis. When worn properly, it can significantly reduce the chances of contracting HIV during anal intercourse. Condoms also reduced the risk of contracting other STIs like Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. Improper ways of putting on a condom include using body fluids (saliva or vaginal secretion) to lubricate the condom and asking your partner to put on the condom for you.
Stealthing refers to the penetrative partner (top) removing the condom without the other person’s (bottom) knowledge. This is considered sexual assault in certain jurisdictions. This is extremely dangerous as anal intercourse with ejaculation can more than double the risks of contracting HIV compared to anal intercourse without ejaculation. Click on this link to see details on HIV risks.
2. Lubricants
The anal canal does not secrete much fluid naturally, hence lubrication is required for any penetrative intercourse in the area. Simple water based lubricants usually work best and have the least chance of interfering with the integrity of the condom. Other natural oil based lubricants such as coconut oil or olive oil can affect the material of the condom and cause it to break more easily.
In addition to lubrication, some people take poppers or nitrates that help relax the sphincter of the muscles to allow for a smoother penetration. Nitrates can be dangerous because they work by dilating the blood vessels while relaxing the muscles. However, this dilation of the blood vessels can also lower your overall blood pressure and cause you to feel giddy. This is especially important if you are on ED medications because both the nitrates and ED medications can lower the blood pressure leading to a drastic drop in blood pressure.
A popular lubricant used is a silicon based lubricant. This is more slippery compared to water based lubricants and can make anal intercourse less traumatic on the anal tissue. Silicon lubricants are also safe to use with condoms.
A good lubricant and gradual dilation of the anus before anal intercourse can reduce the risk of tearing of the anal tissue. This reduces the risk of transmission of HIV and other blood borne infections as there is no or minimal bleeding. Also, for the receptive (bottom) partner, the risk of developing a painful anal fissure is also reduced.
3. Douching
The anal canal contains a delicate balance of microbacteria. This “ecosystem” of bacteria is a mix of majority good/ harmless bacteria and a small minority of bad/ harmful bacteria. This ecosystem keeps your anal canal moist and healthy thus preventing any infections in that area. When you douche, most of the time, the soaps used tend to destroy the microbacteria ecosystem, and dries out the area. When the tissue in the anal canal is too dry it injures and bleeds easily. This results in open wounds forming more easily and becomes an entry point for infections especially during intercourse. Therefore, douching before anal intercourse is discouraged. Clearing your bowels and washing the external part of the anus is sufficient.
4. Regular STD Screening
STD screening is pillar of safe intercourse. If you do have anal intercourse it is particularly important that you let your doctor know because as we mentioned in our previous article, location matter when it comes to STD testing. For example, if you just had receptive anal intercourse and your partner tells you he has an STD, you need to have your anal canal swabbed rather than getting a urine test.
Myth #1 - “HIV is the only STD you can get from Anal Intercourse”
This is an especially dangerous myth because it leads people to think that as long as their partner does not have HIV, anal intercourse is a safer option to avoid the other STDs. This is not true, there is no reduction in the risk of getting a STD through anal sex. In fact, because it is difficult to assess the area by yourself unlike a penis or vagina, some early signs of an STD such as herpetic blisters or chancres caused by a Syphilis Infection can go unnoticed!
Myth #2 - HPV Anal Cancer only Affects MSM
HPV Anal Cancer is caused by the virus infecting the tissue of the anal canal and causing cancerous changes over time. Whether you are heterosexual or MSM, as long as you have anal intercourse, you are at the same risk of contracting HPV and consequently Anal cancer. You can reduce your risk by getting an anal PAP smear to look for cancerous changes and also getting vaccinated against HPV.
In summary
Anal intercourse is commonly practiced both by heterosexual couples as well as men who have sex with men. There are steps both partners can take to keep each other safe during anal intercourse.
Click here if you wish to make an appointment at our Men’s Health Medical Center.
Have a question? Feel free to put it in the comments section below.
Or visit us at our Men’s Health Clinic.
Have a question but need more privacy? Contact us on our Telegram channel. You can also follow us to get the latest news on STDs/HIV and Men’s Health.
Men’s Health – https://t.me/joinchat/uj8HDPzLtpk3NTA1
STD/ HIV Channel – https://t.me/joinchat/83vmPfDJa205ZTc1