Health risks with anal sex

Anal sex is the practice of inserting the penis, fingers, or a foreign object such as a vibrator into the anus for sexual pleasure. With the appropriate precautions, anal sex is mostly safe. However, there are different potential risks that may not be present in vaginal or oral sex. For example, the anus cannot naturally lubricate itself to reduce discomfort and friction-related concerns, such as skin injuries. This article will discuss some of the potential risks of anal sex as well as dispel some myths related to the practice. The anus lacks the cells that create the natural lubricant the vagina has.

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Plus the one precaution you should always take. While research suggests anal isn't quite as prevalent as pop culture might suggest—a study found that just To find out more, we spoke with ob-gyn Lauren F. There are a few risks involved with anal that women need to know, she says.

Back to Sexual health. Penetrative anal sex has a higher risk of spreading STIs than many other types of sexual activity. This is because the lining of the anus is thin and can be easily damaged, which makes it more vulnerable to infection.