Ten Rules of Anal Sex
by Jack Morin

Jack Morin, PhD, a San Francisco sex therapist and researcher, is the author of
Anal Pleasure and Health.

Anal Eroticism is surrounded by a powerful taboo. Yet millions of men and women
- straight, gay and bisexual - are experimenting with anal sex. The anus, richly
endowed with nerve endings and interconnected with the main pelvic muscles, is
the closest erogenous neighbor of the genitals and contracts rhythmically during
orgasm. Thirty-five years ago, Kinsey stated that the anal region had erotic
significance for about half of the population. In a survey of 100,000 Playboy
readers, 47 percent of the men and 61 percent of the women admitted to having
tried anal intercourse.

Yet the anal taboo inhibits most people from thinking, talking and learning
about the sexual use of the anus. Listed here are the ten things most men and
women still do not know about anal sex.

1. Anal intercourse is the least practiced form of anal sex.
There are many ways to enjoy the anus erotically. The most common techniques
include touching the anal opening while masturbating or stimulating a partner's
anus during intercourse or oral sex.
Some people enjoy the sensation of a finger - their own or a lover's -
insinuated into their anal opening and gently rotated. Others may prefer the
insertion of a dildo or vibrator beyond the anal opening and short anal canal
into the larger rectum. Many men, including hetereosexuals, prefer this form of
penetration.

Oral-anal lovemaking is popularly known as rimming. The very idea disgusts some
people. Others enjoy performing it or allowing themselves to be probed in this
special way.

2. Anal stimulation, including intercourse, is not painful if done properly.
The belief that anal stimulation, especially intercourse, has to hurt is a
persistent and dangerous myth. Just as pain anywhere in the body indicates that
something is wrong, so is the same true of the anal area. With its high
concentration of nerve endings, the anus can produce extreme agony when it is
mistreated. Yet it can be a source of great pleasure.

When a finger, object or penis is intorduced into the anus, the anal muscles go
into spasm, as if fighting off an invasion. Pain will result if the partners do
not wait for these muscles to relax. Under sufficient stress they will
eventually collapse and the pain subside, unless further damage is done. But,
any 'pleasure' afforded from this kind of activity derives mostly from the
absence of discomfort.

Maximum anal pleasure requires the elimination of all pain or physical trauma
from the anal experience. Self-protection on the part of the passive partner
involves being ready to say "no" until he or she is ready to proceed. Readiness
is a combination of physical relaxation, usually helped along by plenty of
leisurely anal touching, and desire.

Occasionally the anal muscles are relaxes, but the passive partner is still not
in the mood. Stimulation should mount only in proportion to the degree of
receptivity.

3. Anal sex can be enjoyed even if it has been consistently uncomfortable in the past.

Sufficient desire alone does not necessarily guarantee pleasurable anal sex. Nor
is an uncomfortable previous experience always the reason for a lack of interest
in or desire for anal sex.

Chronic anal tension is the most common cause of anal discomfort during sex.
Hemorrhoids and constipation are usually a sign of this condition. Tension can
be relieved by touching the anus and becoming more familiar with it. An ideal
time to explore the anal opening is while taking a shower or bath. Deep
breathing also affects the anal muscles. Tensing the anus and the letting go in
another way of learning to relax it. Anyone who enjoys masturbation might want
to experiment with some form of anal stimulation, though he or she should stop
if any discomfort occurs.

For many people the turning point in anal sex is when they allow a partner to
massage the anus with the understanding that intercourse will not be attempted.
Then the recipient of anal caresses can concentrate solely on the pleasure that
this erogenous zone is capable of generating.

4. Two muscle rings called sphincters surround the anal opening. Each functions independently.
If you insert a finger about one half-inch into your anus and press your
fingertip against the side, you can clearly feel the two sphincter muscles.
There is less than a quarter-inch between them. The external sphincter is
controlled by the central nervous system - just like the muscles of the hand,
for example. You can readily tense and relax this sphincter whenever you want.
The internal sphincter is quite different. This muscle is controlled by the
involuntary or autonomic part of the nervous system, which governs such
functions as heartbeat and stress response.

The internal sphincter reflects and responds to fear and anxiety during anal
sex. It will cause the anus to tense up automatically even if the passive
partner is trying to relax. Thus, precautions about safety and comfort are
essential here.

Even if a person does feel comfortable during anal sex, he or she may still need
to learn voluntary control over his or her internal sphincter in order to relax
it at will. Doing so requires regularly inserting a finger, perhaps in the
shower each day, and feeling the internal sphincter. The muscle changes
spontaneously and in response to behavior. In this instance, simply paying
attention is more important than trying to relax. Anyone can gradually learn to
control the internal sphincter at will.

5. Anal stimulation provides many kinds of pleasure
The highest concentration of nerve endings is around the anal opening itself. A
finger can focus on them especailly effectively. When an object or penis is
inserted beyond the anal opening into the rectum, other pleasures are involved.
The outer protion of the rectum, like the vagina, has several nerve endings. The
inner portion responds mostly to pressure.

Some people enjoy the feelings of pressure and fullness once they understand
that these sensations do not presage an impending bowel movement. Rectal
pressure is especially important to enthusiasts of "fisting," a form of anal sex
in which several fingers or een the entire hand and forearm are inserted into
the rectum and sometimes into the lower colon.

In men, the protate - which is just beyond the rectal wall, a few inches in,
towards the front of the body - can be a source of pleasure when massaged by a
finger, an object, or a penis. Also, the lower end of the penis, or "bulb," is
near the anal opening opening. It is stimulated indirectly by most types of anal
sex.

Anal pleasure can be psychological as well as physical. The anal taboo adds to
the thrill of the forbidden. The most common anti-anal message (it's dirty!)
sometimes returns as a source of raunchy, sleazy excitement. Rimming enthusiasts
may enjoy the feeling that they are being disgustingly - and delightfully -
perverse. Other people regard the anus as a secret, special place. Sharing it
with a partner is an act of openness and giving.

6. Anal stimulation can lead to orgasm
A minority of men and women can respond orgasmically to anal sex without direct
genital stimulation. Women probably do so through pelvic muscle contractions -
and a small minority even though the sheer excitement of being anally
penetrated. When men expereience an orgasm from anal stimulation, they tend to
focus on the prostate. No doubt they are also responding to indirect stimulation
of the penile bulb.

Orgasms from anal stimulation are most likely to occur when the participants
become thoroughly absorbed in their sensations and fantasies. An lmost certain
way to prevent such an orgasm is to be become determined to have one. Seeking an
anal orgasm will create new pressures and disrupt the pleasure.
It must be remembered that most people require direct genital stimulation in
order to climax. On the other hand, a few people have orgasms only with anal
stimulation.

7. Diet contributes to the enjoyment of anal sex
Regular bowel movements are the major function of the anus and rectum. There
must be sufficient fiber in a person's diet to make his or her feces soft, bulky
and well formed. This allows a bowel movement to be produced without force or
effort. Forced evacuations irritate anal tissues, causing discomfort and adding
to muscular tensions. Fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains or unprocessed bran
are important sources of fiber.

8. Different rules of hygiene apply to the vagina and rectum
Since intercourse can be vaginal or rectal, many people assume the the same
rules apply for the penetration of the vagina and rectum. Although both are
lined with soft tissue and are capable of expanding, they are radically
dissimilar.

The rectum is not straight. After the short anal canal which connects the anal
opening to the rectum, the rectum tilts toward the front of the body. A few
inches in, it curves back - sometimes as much as 90 degrees. Then, after a few
more inches, it swoops toward the front of the body once again. A person can
learn about the shape of his or her rectum by gently inserting a soft object,
trying different angles and body positions and concentrating on how it feels.
Make sure the object has a flared base so that if you loose your grip, it won't
slip into the rectum and become irretrievable.

The rectum does not produce lubrication like the vagina but only a small amount
of mucus. Therefore, rectal penetration always requires a lubricant. Chemical
additives should be avoided. Water-based lubricants are latex-compatible.
The main function of the rectum is to act as a passageway for feces. But feces
are not normally stored in the rectum except just prior to a bowel movement. Yet
small amounts may remain in the rectum, expecially if the feces are not well
formed. Anal douching before lovemaking will help some people especailly
concerned with cleanliness to relax. For others the idea of dirtiness heightens
the joy of the forbidden; for them, douching is anti-erotic.

9. Anal intercourse is not necessarily an act of dominance and submission.
The top-bottom imagery associated with anal intercourse is widespread. No doubt
the belief that anal sex has to hurt contributes to this notion. And in fact
some people are intensely excited by top-bottom fantasies about anal sex. The
thought that they are submitting to such a degrading act is a terrific thrill.
However, actual, not fantasized, anal pain can lead to trouble.

For others, the enjoyment of anal sex is inhibited by top-bottom imagery. The
idea of surrendering control, and perhaps submitting to humiliation, causes
immediate, protective tensing of the anal muscles. These individuals are more
likely to relax and enjoy themselves if they can learn to regard anal sex as
pleasurable rather than as an expression of power.

10. Anal sex can be perfectly safe, even beneficial.
The taboo against anal eroticism is perpetuated by the almost universal belief
among physicians that anal sex is inevitably dangerous. No physical injury from
anal stimulation results if both partners refuse to tolerate pain, never use
force and avoid the use of drugs.

All the other risks center on sexually transmitted diseases. Each of the common
STDs - gonorrhea, syphillis, herpes - can affect the anus. Intestinal parasites,
bacteria or tiny bugs are usually passed along when fecal matter finds its way
into someone's mouth or vagina, most likely through rimming.
AIDS has complicated the matter. The HIV virus can pass from the semen or blood
of an infected person to the bloodstream of a partner through a tiny break in
the rectal tissue during anal intercourse.

To avoid this risk, anal intercourse and rimming should not be practiced
casually. Those who do enjoy anal intercourse should always use a condom.
Rimming should always be accomplished by a latex barrier. Of course, in a
monogamous realtionship with two healthy people, the risk of disease transmitted
anally is reduced.

Thousands of men and women with chronic anal medical problems have restored
their anal health by challenging their negative attitudes. This approach is
indespensible for full erotic enjoyment of the anus.

Get over it, already.

Nero said:

Is that what you say when a guy wants to sodomize you?

JoeyMFinCoco said:

Meh.

senik said:

Fingers are okay. But if you put your cock in there, we have specially honed our sphincter muscles to be stronger than you can imagine, and we have sharpened them.

Watch out.

Nero said:

When a finger, object or penis is intorduced into the anus, the anal muscles go
into spasm, as if fighting off an invasion.

HA!

In our experience, that's cos it fucking well was an invasion!

But we're ready if it happens again... CLIP!

Nero said:

I don't think any guy would want to put anything in there now...not even a finger.

JoeyMFinCoco said:

Fuck me, baby.

Nero said:

JoeyMFinCoco said:

Please?

Nice read...

thread of the year

AsianBoi777 said:

Not.

SammiJ said:

Think of all the problems in the world (overpopulation, resource sharing, economic woes) that can be solved with a generation of people avid about anal sex.

I'm damn well not exploring my anus in the shower.

AsianBomb777 said:

I have some of my own I could add..

Nothing to be anal about.

Isn't this rehash by the way?

Ikaros said:

The article hasn't been posted here as far as I know...and if it has been, so what? What has your contribution been to the org? BTW, aren't you a recycled orger?

JoeyMFinCoco said:

I know my rehash That was another life though.

And don't be uptight, I support your cause wholeheartedly

Yuck.

Wow!!! They didn't mention my 4-5 HOUR RULE. If you or your partner ate 4-5 hours before sex, DON'T DO IT!!!!!

I was with some guy once that had soooo much control over his sphincter muscle that it was hard for me to get out. I was an anal prisoner. It felt great.


M

MIGUELGOMEZ said:

Let's be real. You didn't really want to get out, did you?

JoeyMFinCoco said:

You're right. It did feel weird being a.....prisoner of his love, entangled in his web, hot whispers in the night, captured by his spell.....


M

MIGUELGOMEZ said:

Anal prisoner...

TEll me about this 4-5 hour rule.

Now if only we can teach horses to read.