How to anal sex and what are the consequences of having it?

Anal sex means sexual activity involving the bottom – in particular, the type of intercourse in which the **** goes into the anus. It is often referred to as ‘rectal sex'. Anal sex does carry some health risks, so please read our advice carefully. Other types of sexual activity which involve the anus include: ‘postillionage’ – which means putting a finger into the partner’s bottom. insertion of ‘butt plugs’ – which are sex toys that dilate the anal opening and create a sensation of fullness. 'vibrators' - use of vibrators on or in the anus. 'rimming’ – which is oral-anal contact; this carries a significant risk of infection. ‘****’ – which means putting the hand into the rectum.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Taboos and infection
   
   There are taboos surrounding the various types of anal sex – and particularly anal intercourse.
   
   These may arouse strong feelings of moral indignation, guilt and anxiety.
   
   It is important to remember that while some people find these activities repugnant, others may find them stimulating, exciting, and a normal part of their sexual intimacy.
   
   Research shows that, whether we like it or not, the anal area is equipped with many erotic nerve endings – in both men and women. So it is not surprising that many couples (including a lot of heterosexual ones) derive pleasure from some form of ‘bottom stimulation'.
   There is evidence that anal intercourse carries a higher transmission risk than almost any other sexual activity
2. Consent
   
   What consenting adults enjoy sexually in the privacy of their homes is their own business provided that the law does not prohibit it.
   
   The key issues are legality and consent. In the UK, anal intercourse is a legal activity between consenting men and women aged 16 and over, in both heterosexual and homosexual relationships, except in Northern Ireland where it's 17 and over.
   
   In some countries it is still a criminal offence punishable by long custodial sentences, corporal or even capital punishment. It remains forbidden in some states of the USA, and in some former colonies of Britain – including for instance Jamaica.
   
   Consent freely given by both partners is an essential feature of sexual activity in a loving relationship. Many individuals, both men and women, may have secret fantasies involving anal intercourse but feel unable to discuss them with their partner.
   
   Some may try and pressurise their partner to have anal intercourse, even though the partner does not share their interest. Some partners will reluctantly acquiesce, others may be pressured or even physically forced to allow it.
   
   Forcing or pressurising a partner to submit to an activity that they find distasteful or degrading is completely unacceptable behaviour.
   
   Intoxication with drugs or alcohol is associated with lowering inhibitions and experimentation with unusual or unsafe sexual behaviour - and can lead to serious consequences.
   
   It should be remembered that in the absence of freely given consent, the very serious criminal offences of assault and rape are committed. Therefore, it is essential that both partners agree that they wish to try anal sex as a part of their sexual repertoire and that they are sure of the legal position on anal intercourse in the country that they are in.
3. Who does it?
   
   There is a common misconception that anal sex is practised almost exclusively by gay men. This is certainly not the case. An estimated one third of gay couples do not include anal intercourse in their lovemaking. About one third of heterosexual couples try it from time to time.
   
   It is thought that about 10 per cent of heterosexual couples have anal intercourse as a regular feature of their lovemaking. In absolute numbers, more heterosexual couples have anal sex than homosexual couples.