The Dangers of Having Unprotected Anal Sex

When people think about sexual wellness issues, such as STIs and STDs, they usually think about issues related to their wellbeing following on from vaginal intercourse or oral sex. It is true that most STDs are transmitted in this way, but there are some that can be transmitted via anal sex. This can be a devastating blow to people who choose to have anal sex as a way of avoiding the risks of unprotected sex.

 

In actual fact, some studies have now shown that STDs are more easily transmitted through anal sex rather than vaginal sex, because the skin of the anus is thinner than the skin of the vagina. The anus also offers no natural lubrication and therefore the skin is more prone to tears. These open tears or sores give any STDs (especially those like hepatitis or HIV) a direct route inside the human body.

 

Anal sex causes a certain level of trauma to the human body, and that can be a difficulty, especially when it comes to HIV.

 

You can catch every type of sexually transmitted disease that exists through having anal sex – including HIV, HPV (genital warts), herpes, syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia and hepatitis B. Not only can all of these STDs be easily transmitted through the thin skin that surrounds the anus, but the partner who penetrates the other during anal sex is at risk of getting a disease too, as the anus is a prime area where bacteria can propagate. Even if a condom is used, the risk remains because the sores of diseases such as genital warts and herpes can be present inside and outside of the anal opening, which makes contact with the infection far more likely. Anal herpes can even be transmitted when there are no active sores present.

Categories: anal, anal sex, anus, dangers, easily transmitted, genital warts, human body, Sex, skin, STDs, transmitted

Staying Safe With Different Types Of Sex

Practicing safe sex is important – this might seem like an obvious statement but while many people agree that they should be practicing safe sex, many simply don’t and others aren’t too sure on what safe sex consists of and how to do it right. Sex should be a happy and fun experience that you enjoy and get excited about, it is one of the major joys of a relationship. And remember that it is always important to keeps things fresh and interesting in the bedroom, as well as practicing the safe principles you need to ensure that you can be healthy as you get older.

 

It’s a good idea to have a good knowledge of the different types of sex that are available and know the safe ways to practice them. You can then talk to your partner about these forms of sex and see if they are interested in trying something new. This can save many potentially embarrassing situations from occurring. It is best that you both feel comfortable with trying new things out and ultimately knowing that your partner is happy with what you are doing and enjoying it too puts you in a very good position and can be a turn-on of its own.

 

So here is our guide to the different types of sex and the best ways to perform it safely. If it is something you are interesting in bringing into your bedroom then this will be very helpful for you as it contains both the best ways to enjoy these forms of sex and gives you all of the knowledge you will need when you talk to your partner about it.

 

The first type of sex we are going to discuss is anal sex. Anal sex is considered to be a high risk sexual activity for a number of reasons. During anal sex it is much easier for bacteria and viruses to enter the system than other types of sex. This is especially true if you are the receiving partner of anal sex. The inside of the anus is very thin and that means that it is very easy for any viruses or infections to pass through it and get directly into the bloodstream. All sorts of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be present both in semen and on the inside of the anus, so protecting yourself is completely vital. Remember that you should always use a condom and that you should change condoms when switching between vaginal, anal and oral sex.

 

Another type of sex to look at is group sex. Group sex involves three or more people having sexual intercourse together and it comes with a huge number of other risks and potential problems. You should be sure to limit the group sizes to as small as possible to ensure that the risks are minimised. But even still it is key to remember that this is risky business, both physically and emotionally. Talk through ground rules and ensure that everything who is having sex knows what the limits are.

 

Finally let’s look at oral sex, which brings in a number of complications of its own. Oral sex is one of the most common kinds of sex that is performed unprotected. This is due to the fact that there is no risk of pregnancy. Nevertheless, performing unprotected oral sex puts you at a much greater risk of infections and viruses. Be sure to use a condom or dental dam if you are going to have oral sex as this ensures you are protected from STIs.

Categories: anal, anal sex, different types, group sex, nbsp, oral, oral sex, practicing safe, Safe, safe sex

Introduce Anal Sex into a Relationship in a Safe and Fun Way

We’ve come a long way in talking about sexual health and wellness, but one subject remains a little delicate for general discussion; anal sex. Some people swear they’ll never try it, while others are ready and raring to go but one thing is certain: people are definitely becoming more accepting of it. So, if you want to introduce anal sex into your relationship without harming your – or your partner’s – wellbeing, here are some tips courtesy of Debby Herbenick, PhD, MPH, author of Because It Feels Good: A Woman’s Guide to Sexual Pleasure and Satisfaction:

 

1. You have to talk about it: This may seem like the pinnacle of common sense, but there is a horrific number of accounts of men dropping some sort of “sorry-it-slipped-during-doggy-style” line. A word to the wise: women don’t buy that excuse, it’s not funny and you could end up with your balls in a death grip – and not in a fun way. As a man or a woman who wants to try anal sex, you need to communicate with your partner outside of the bedroom, so as to not catch them off-guard in the moment. Discuss anal sex with your partner in an honest, open and pressure-free way, explaining why you want to try it, gauging their interest and – most importantly of all – respecting their answer.

 

2. Use lubricant: Unlike the vagina, the anus does not lubricate on its own, meaning that copious amounts of lube is vital if you get the go-ahead. Both silicone-based and water-based lubes can promote pleasurable, satisfying anal play, but silicone-based lubricants tend to last longer.

 

3. Ease into it: Prior to penetration, it’s in your best interest to test the waters to make sure it’s going to work for you and your partner. Herbenick recommends that the man insert a lubricated, and possibly condom-clad, finger into the woman’s anus before proceeding to bigger and (potentially) better things – like, you know, your penis. I realise that reading about this online makes it sound terribly awkward. But this step is important in helping the woman gauge whether or not she’ll find anal pleasurable (or at least comfortable). So it’s easing into things.

 

4. Pace yourself: If you’re both still up for anal sex, it’s important to go slowly when inserting and withdrawing the penis. It’s a wild misconception that deep penetration and jackhammer thrusting is the way to do things; this way of attempting anal can actually cause a lot of discomfort and pain. The best thing to do is pace yourself and make sure you know how your partner is feeling at all times. Herbenick stresses this point strongly, urging that communication and relaxation are musts when having anal sex. If your partner is hurt by anal penetration, you need to stop and figure out a different way of approaching it, or even revisit when you’re both feeling ready.

 

5. No glove, no love: While you’re not going to impregnate anyone through anal sex, and you and your partner may be squeaky clean in the STI department, you still need to wear a condom when trying anal sex. Forgive the indelicacy, but butts are primarily for pooping, which means there’s faecal matter and bacteria that can travel down your urethra and into your prostate. To stay infection- and irritation-free, a condom is an absolute must.

 

6. Don’t mix things up: If you’re trying out anal sex, stay the course and don’t switch to vaginal. For the same bacterial reasons mentioned above, it’s dangerous to put anything in her vagina that has already been in her anus (like toys, fingers, or your penis) as the vaginal is quite sensitive.

Categories: anal, anal sex, Communication, Condom, introduce anal, nbsp, partner, Safety, silicone based, woman

How Can You Have Anal Sex Safely?

Once a taboo subject and still relatively controversial, anal sex has gained a reputation due to the evidence surrounding it that the sexual practice leads to anal cancer. This practice involves receiving someone in the bottom, specifically the penis – sometimes it is referred to as rectal sex. There are considerable health risks attributed to this type of sex, so it’s important that those engaging in it are safe and take the appropriate precautions. Anal sex is commonly associated with gay couples, but it has become more common for heterosexual couples to enjoy anal sex – it’s thought that our increasing access to pornography has something to do with this, as this is a common feature of ‘blue movies’. There are various ways in which couples can enjoy anal sex, such as postillionage, which involves putting a finger into your partner’s bottom, butt plugs which are sex toys designed for the anus, and rimming which involves oral sex on the bottom. Lastly, ‘fisting’ involves putting the hand into the rectum, though this activity is rare amongst heterosexual couples. There is a significant risk of infection with anal sex activities, so good hygiene and safe sex precautions are strongly advised to avoid this. Some people still view anal sex as a taboo and carry strong feelings or guilt or anxiety about it – however, many people enjoy these activities and find them exciting and stimulating. There are many erotic nerve endings in this area, which explains why both men and women enjoy them so much.

 

If practiced with care, anal sex can be extremely enjoyable – there is a risk of infection though. The main risks are the HPV virus – there is no doubt by medical experts that anal intercourse can carry a greater risk of the transmission of HIV, particularly for the receptive partner. There are certain risks of the spread of anal warts, as well as certain strains of the HPV virus having cancer-provoking potential. Hepatitis A is a viral infection which can cause abdominal pain, and though it isn’t a life threatening illness, it can make people feel quite ill. This is generally transmitted by oral-anal contact. Hepatitis C is also transmitted by anal intercourse, though this is rare. Naturally, avoiding anal sex is the best way to avoid these health concerns, but if you do want to engage in this form of sex there are ways to make it safer. Condoms and water-based lubricants, such as K-Y jelly, will offer some protection against sexually transmitted diseases – other lubricants can cause the condom to split which can lead to the spread of infection. You may wish to use specially designed condoms for this activity, as these are tougher and offer more protection.

 

You should ensure that the anal area is thoroughly clean and that the bowel is empty – this is for both aesthetic, practical and hygiene reasons. You can ease into anal sex by using a well-lubricated finger (maybe covered in a condom) to give the receptive partner a chance to see whether they enjoy anal sex and find it comfortable. You should approach anal sex carefully and gently – pushing too hard and forcefully will lead to discomfort and injury – plenty of lubricant in this area will help with penetration. Fisting involves placing the whole hand in the rectum, and this is physically possible providing that the receptive partner is fully relaxed. There is a significant risk of injury with this activity though, as the diameter of the hand is far greater than the rectum – for this reason, medical professionals don’t advise this practice. The same can be said of rimming – there is an increased risk of infection from this form of sexual activity. If you do take part in rimming with your partner, you can use specially designed latex shields which offer some protection against infection.

Categories: anal intercourse, anal sex, fisting involves, heterosexual couples, hpv virus, involves putting, receptive partner, Risks, sexual health, significant risk, specially designed

Men: Are You Doing Enough to Protect Your Sexual Health?

Sexually transmitted infections cause a vast number of health concerns, and can be passed on through either vaginal, oral or anal sex. The symptoms of STIs can include rashes, pain, unusual discharge or itching, but sometimes they have no symptoms whatsoever and cause silent damage to the wellness and wellbeing of your genitals and reproductive system. It is very important to avoid STIs, and the only way to ensure that you don’t catch one (or pass one on) is to practice safe sex.

 

Men who have male sexual partners should be especially careful as there are some infections that are most easily transmitted via anal sex, and are more commonly found in the gay community. That does not mean that straight men can afford to relax, though, as infections are common amongst straight and gay men. Unless you are in a long-term relationship (where you are both monogamous), it is extremely advisable to get tested for STIs on a regular basis. You can either choose to do this once a year or before having sex with a new partner.

 

When it comes to prevention, condoms are the best way to protect you against STIs, and they should be worn for vaginal, oral or anal sex. Don’t use condoms which are described as ‘natural’ as they do not protect against STIs – stick to the latex kind (or polyurethane if you are sensitive to latex) and make sure that you use the condoms correctly, following the instructions on the box. Remember that other methods that protect against pregnancy (such as spermicides, the coil, the pill etc.) do not guard against STIs.

 

Men should look out for symptoms such as pain during urination or the need to urinate more frequently. They may also discover blood in their urine. Discharge from the penis is also a danger sign, as are any bumps, sores or blisters on the penis.

Categories: anal sex, Condoms, health, nbsp, nbsp men, Protect, sexual, STIs, Symptoms, vaginal oral