Anal Sex: What Women Need To Know
Anal sex is becoming more popular with heterosexual couples in the United States, with at least a third of women saying they have tried it. However, women who engage in anal intercourse are at greater risk from it than men. Dr. Christine Carlan Greves, a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist at Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, explains the risks and offers tips for staying healthy. September 22, 2022
Because of its association with alcohol, drug use and multiple sex partners, anal intercourse is considered a risky sexual behavior. According to one study, that’s largely because women are less likely to use condoms during anal intercourse than during vaginal intercourse.
The lining of the anus is thin and can be easily damaged, which makes it more vulnerable to infection. In fact, the same study found that one of the strongest predictors of eventual HIV transmission in heterosexual couples is a history of anal intercourse.
In addition to HIV, these diseases can be transmitted through unprotected anal sex:
- Chlamydia
- Genital herpes
- Genital warts
- Gonorrhea
- Hepatitis B
- Syphilis
Anal Injuries
Women who practice anal intercourse are at a higher risk of fecal incontinence (anal leakage) and anal sphincter injury (muscles that control bowel movements). That’s because women’s anal sphincters are thinner and the anal canal pressure is lower. Plus, the pelvic floor is affected by hormones, pregnancy and childbirth.
Women also may experience anal trauma, including pain and bleeding. This is especially true if anal sex is coerced, and the woman is not prepared physically. In addition, a woman must grapple with the psychological aftermath of being forced into a sexual act she has not consented to.
Urinary Tract Infections
Always use a new condom if you have vaginal sex right after anal sex. This is to avoid transferring bacteria from the anus to the vagina, which may lead to a urinary tract infection (UTI). These infections can affect several parts of the urinary tract, but the most common type is a bladder infection. Although it’s less common for your kidneys to become infected, this type of UTI is more serious.
In addition to your partner changing his condom, it’s important for you to urinate after vaginal sex and to have a bowel movement after anal sex. This helps expel any bacteria that may have been introduced into your body.
Symptoms of a bladder infection can include:
- Pain or burning while urinating
- Frequent urination
- Feeling the need to urinate despite having an empty bladder
- Bloody urine
- Pressure or cramping in the groin or lower abdomen
Symptoms of a kidney infection can include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Lower back pain or pain in the side of your back
- Nausea or vomiting
Preparation Can Equal Pleasure
Use a lubricant to make the experience pleasurable instead of painful for a woman because, unlike the vagina, the anus does not naturally produce its own lubricant. Lubricants reduce friction, which can limit the number of tears in the skin. You should use only water-based lubricants because oil-based lubricants, such as lotion, can cause condoms to break or fail.
If you haven’t had anal sex and are unsure if you want to try it, you may want to experiment with different types of anal touch to see if you find them pleasurable. One study found that 35 percent to 40 percent of women enjoyed these types of anal touch:
- Anal surfacing: Sexual touch by a finger, penis or sex toy on and around the anus.
- Anal shallowing: Penetrative touch by a finger, penis or sex toy just inside the anal opening, no deeper than a fingertip or knuckle.
- Anal pairing: Touch on or inside the anus that happens at the same time as other kinds of sexual touch, such as vaginal penetration or clitoral touching.
Talk with Your Doctor
FAQ
Can a woman climax repeatedly?
Yes, absolutely. Generally speaking women tend to achieve orgasm multiple times than men and in that light, it is not uncommon for a woman to experience orgasms 5 times in a row. I’ll admit that I have experienced orgasms multiple times in the same night, one after the other.13/06/2017
How Long Does a Male Orgasm Last? Shocking Truth Revealed!
Hey there! Ever wondered how long the average male orgasm really lasts? Studies show it typically spans 5 to 22 seconds, with muscle contractions happening about 0.8 seconds apart—think 5 to 8 pulses of pure pleasure.medicalnewstoday+1 Picture this: during climax, your pelvic muscles rhythmically squeeze, ejecting semen in bursts. For most guys, this peaks at 10-20 seconds, like a quick fireworks show that fades fast into the refractory period. One study clocked men at 22 seconds on average, just edging out women’s 18 seconds.
Do Most Girls Actually Orgasm? The Truth Revealed
Many people wonder if most girls climax, and the answer is: a lot of women can, many do—but not every time, and not in every situation. Large sexual‑health surveys show that about 60–65 percent of heterosexual women say they usually or always orgasm during sex with a partner, while roughly 95 percent of heterosexual men report the same. When women are alone, the numbers are much higher: studies and clinical reports suggest that well over 90 percent of women can reach orgasm through masturbation, especially when they focus on clitoral stimulation and take as much time as they need.
Why Do I Cry When I Orgasm?
Tears during or after orgasm are more common than most people think, and in many cases they are completely normal. Doctors and sex therapists often describe this as a “crygasm” or a type of post‑orgasmic emotional release, meaning your body is reacting strongly to the intense mix of pleasure and emotion. It can happen to anyone, whether you are male, female, or non‑binary, and it is not automatically a sign that something is wrong.
Is it healthy for a woman to climax every day?
Yep, safe and normal. There is nothing medically harmful about having an orgasm.19/06/2021
Despite their name, forced orgasms aren’t something you force on a partner
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