What are the risks of anal sex if the partners are heterosexual and monogamous? Could one contract some disease? And if so, how bad is it? -guerita2kool
Let’s get one basic concept on the table right away. The rectum was designed as an exit, not an entrance. So yeah, you take some risks.
Since the rectum doesn’t produce natural lubrication like the vagina does, anal sex risks tearing the rectal walls or the sphincter-an unpleasant experience under the most favorable circumstances, and one that presents a real chance of potentially lethal peritonitis due to leakage of fecal bacteria into the abdomen. A related and in my opinion pretty stupid risk is when the sex starts in the back and winds up in the front.
A 2004 study by the American Cancer Society showed that women practicing anal sex had more than twice the risk of developing anal cancer, possibly due to increased risk of exposure to the human papilloma virus.
Then we come to the risk of HIV transmission, which can’t be ruled out even for those who believe they’re in a monogamous relationship. Though research is thin, one study claims unprotected anal sex subjects a heterosexual woman to between 20 and 500 times the risk of infection compared to unprotected regular sex. One problem is that backdoor sex often means lower condom use.
A California study of female participants in heterosexual anal sex showed 74 percent never used condoms; a survey of midwestern college students showed condoms were half as likely to be used during anal sex.
Some wonder whether, even with precautions, having penises, dildos, or other objects thrust repeatedly into their anuses will cause permanent damage. Here we rely on studies of male subjects-that’s all we’ve got-and these show mixed results. A 1993 study of 40 anal-receptive gay men found 14 experienced frequent anal incontinence, and tests using a water-filled balloon pulled through the rectum found the anal-receptive men had significantly decreased anal resting pressure. (The lab-coated researcher taking notes while observing this-now there’s a scene.)
Then again, a 1997 study found that while anal-receptive males had lower resting muscle tone, their peak squeezing strength was the same, with no reports of incontinence.
Many think of anal sex as being a gay male thing, but surveys show anywhere from 20 to 40 percent of heterosexuals have at least tried it, and the percentage may be increasing. Some countries have higher rates-a variety of research suggests Brazil might be the anal sex capital of the world, with possibly half of adults regularly doing it. In Central America, the complete sexual experience is known as los tres platos, or “the three dishes”: oral, vaginal, and anal.
While it doesn’t rank up there with peritonitis, another risk of heterosexual anal sex is partner disgruntlement. Clearly some women like anal sex, but in a 1994 University of Chicago national survey only 5 percent of women rated it as “somewhat appealing” or “very appealing.”
A Redbook poll of 26,000 women found 40 percent had done it but only 12 percent liked it. In Puerto Rico-and Latin America as a region seems to be highly butt-sex-friendly-80 percent of female college students surveyed said anal sex was always or almost always the guy’s idea.
Of course, the taboo aspect of anal sex may lead to underreporting among those elements of society that don’t write in to the newspapers asking about it. In one study of 1,000 women, researchers found many wouldn’t admit to doing it until the second or third interview. Having made allowances for such things, several large-scale studies estimate that maybe 9 or 10 percent of sexually active American women regularly practice anal sex.
One thing to be careful about during anal sex is accessories. Straight Dope readers will recall my lengthy list of foreign bodies removed from the rectums of ER patients. A 2004 paper (illustrated, natch) indicates I need to make some additions, including a can of Playboy brand aerosol deodorant and a Primus camping stove. When will you people learn?
This article appears in Apr 8-14, 2009.
Who ever the arsehole is(pardon the pun) that published this page is obviously very anti females having anal sex. weather they like it or not it is an act that is practiced by most hetro sexual couples. most women have expirienced it at least once. the page is all bull s**t and very opinionated and also quite offensive by todays standard. there is no evidence on this page to back up any of their scare mongering.
This person is a sexist , homophobic bigot. He/she obviously has an unhealthy obsession with people’s choice of sex life for some fascist reason. Anal sex is not a fetish, not harmful and not wrong ( as they have suggested to me). It is simply another way of making love, always has been and always will be amongst all sexualities. This is all nonsense, just a bigoted opinion,there is no evidence at all to say that Anal sex is harmful. Ask yourself, who was the last person you know that died of bum sex? This sexist homophobe should be legally investigated. What an idiot!
I would also like to add that this person is a racist. Specifically trying to stereotype certain races with practicing more anal sex than others. Anal sex is a humanly act of lovemaking practiced in all countries by all races and genders of all the colours of the rainbow. Do you really think that this looser goes around every last country and race quizzing them about their sex lifes as a census?(excuse me sir/madam,do you ever take anal??)…… No, this is just a wanna be quack/shyster trying to scare innocent people with their fascist unqualified,unfactual pathetic opinion. Who would ever believe the lies of this sexist,homophobic,racist and sexually inadequate low life. Its all bulls##t their obviously jealous cos they don’t get any and I can’t say I’m surprised.
He also thinks that women don’t have a mind of their own. If a woman wants to have anal sex then she is more than intitled to do it and enjoy it. If she doesn’t, then she’ll say so. Do you think a woman is just some kind of submissive push over that a man can do what ever he wants to her? No, women do it with an informed, educated and independent decision and as a human that wants to do it. A woman is as cleaver,independent, and capable as anyone. You sexist pig.