Anal Sex Safety Tips for the Adventurous Couple

While it is still viewed as somewhat exotic by many people in society, anal sex is by no means uncommon: a study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that 40% of women between the ages of 20 and 24 had tried anal sex at least once, as had 11% of men in that age range (as a "bottom"). Performing as a "top" in an anal sex situation (despite the possibility of a sore penis resulting) has an appeal for far more men, and so it's no wonder that this once-scorned form of sexual engagement is increasingly popular. However, to ensure safety for both partners and good penis health for the men, there are several safety tips to remember.

Have "the discussion."

It's always important to know a partner's sexual history before engaging in any form of sexual contact, but it's especially important with anal sex, and most especially for the partner that is on the receiving end. Why? There is always a risk, particularly if the rectum in question is unused to having objects inserted into it, that there will be some abrasions and bleeding; this can supply a more direct route for the transmission of any STIs.

It goes without saying, of course, that beyond this discussion is a separate one: that which expresses the man's interest in anal sex. A man should never engage in this act without first obtaining willful consent from his partner.

Always wear a condom.

Using an appropriate condom is crucial when engaging in anal sexual activities. True, there's no possibility of impregnation, but as mentioned above, STIs can still easily be transmitted through anal intercourse.

Lubricate to the max.

Lubrication is always important in sex, but never more so than in an anal encounter. Unlike vaginal sex, there is no natural lubricant at work here. Without a good water-based lubricant, the chance of extreme pain is very high; it also greatly increases the chance of cuts and abrasions, which will provide greater pain after intercourse as well.

Don't just plunge in.

This is even truer when dealing with a partner who has little or no experience with anal insertions. Before maneuvering his mammoth manhood into his partner's rectum, a man should lubricate and insert his finger to prepare the way. If there are some appropriate sex toys, he may also work with these before inserting his penis. (It may be necessary to try these initial insertions on several occasions over several nights to build up to the actual insertion of the penis.) And the man must at all times be gentle and pay attention to the cues he is receiving from his partner.

Try different positions.

Both during the "preparation" stages with the finger and sex toys and during actual penis-to-anus engagement, the couple should experiment with different positions in order to find the one that is the most comfortable, especially for the partner receiving the penis.

Always listen.

In the throes of ecstasy, men can get a bit rough or focus too much on their engorged penis; a man must make sure to listen carefully for signs that his partner may need him to change his position or rate of thrust or that the partner may be in pain and need the encounter to end.

Anal sex can be a thrilling experience for both partners; those on the receiving end often experience an anal orgasm. However, as with any form of sex, a guy may end up with a sore penis; the rectum may be too tight or his thrusting may have rubbed the tool raw. Repairing the damage with a high quality penis health cream (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) can definitely help. Clearly, the cream must contain an effective combination of moisturizing ingredients, such as shea butter (an excellent emollient) and vitamin E (one of nature's great hydrators) to soothe the sore penis. It's also beneficial to find a cream that contains vitamin A, as this vitamin has valuable anti-bacterial properties that can help shed the penis of pungent odors.