Having anal sex? Here’s what you need to know to be safe.

Rena Malik, M.D.
19 Dec 202205:54
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRDr. Rena Malik, a urologist and pelvic surgeon, discusses the topic of anal sex, its prevalence, historical depiction, and reasons people engage in it. She emphasizes the importance of communication, consent, and the use of water-based lubricants due to the anus's differing pH. Dr. Malik also highlights the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the necessity of using condoms for protection. She advises on the safe use of anal toys, the potential for injury if not practiced safely, and the importance of stopping if pain or bleeding occurs. The video concludes with a reminder to practice safe, consensual, and enjoyable anal sex and provides a link to an FDA-approved anal condom in the description.

Takeaways
  • 🚫 **Consent is Key**: Ensure both partners are on the same page and comfortable with engaging in anal sex.
  • πŸ’¬ **Communication**: Verbal and non-verbal cues are important to understand each other's readiness and comfort level.
  • πŸ’§ **Lubrication**: The anus does not self-lubricate, so using a lot of lubricant is crucial, preferably water-based for anal sex.
  • πŸ›‘οΈ **Protection**: Condoms are recommended to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV and HPV.
  • 🧼 **Hygiene**: Cleanliness is important; sanitize toys after each use to maintain hygiene.
  • πŸ“‰ **STI Risk**: Anal sex can pose a higher risk for STIs due to the thin and delicate rectal lining.
  • πŸ›‘ **Stop if Painful**: If experiencing significant pain or bleeding, stop immediately to prevent injury.
  • πŸ”„ **Changing Condoms**: When switching from anal to vaginal penetration, use a new condom to prevent cross-contamination.
  • 🚿 **Safe Toys**: Use toys specifically designed for anal play with features like a flared base or a retrieval mechanism.
  • ❌ **Avoid Unsafe Practices**: Never use toys not intended for anal play as they can get lost in the rectum and cause injury.
  • 🌟 **Historical Context**: Anal sex has been depicted in art and culture dating back to 300 A.D., indicating its long-standing presence in human sexuality.
Q & A
  • What is the definition of anal sex?

    -Anal sex is the process of inserting a penis into the anus of another partner.

  • Why do some people engage in anal sex?

    -People engage in anal sex for various reasons, including sexual pleasure, to avoid unwanted pregnancy, for the intimacy, variety, novelty, taboo, control, or pain/pleasure sensation it may provide.

  • What percentage of men and women in the United States have engaged in anal sex according to the estimates?

    -It is estimated that about 37 percent of men and 30 percent of women have engaged in anal sex.

  • Why is communication important before engaging in anal sex?

    -Communication is crucial to ensure that both partners are on the same page, feel comfortable, and to pick up on non-verbal cues to understand if they genuinely want to participate without feeling forced.

  • Why is lubricant necessary for anal sex?

    -The anal canal does not produce its own lubrication, hence a lot of lubricant is needed. Water-based lubricants are typically recommended for anal sex due to their compatibility with the pH of the anus.

  • What are the risks associated with anal sex?

    -Anal sex can put individuals at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) due to the thin and friable nature of the anal tissues and rectum lining, which can easily bleed and expose individuals to each other's bodily fluids.

  • Why is using a condom recommended during anal sex?

    -Using a condom during anal sex is important to reduce the risk of STIs, including HIV, HPV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. It also provides a barrier against potential injury and bleeding.

  • What should be done when switching from anal to vaginal penetration?

    -It is advised to change condoms, removing the one used for anal penetration and using a new one for vaginal penetration to prevent the spread of bacteria and potential STIs.

  • What type of toys are safe to use for anal play?

    -Toys specifically marketed for anal intercourse with a flared base, ring, or string for easy removal are safe to use. It is crucial to ensure that toys are designated for anal play and not used for vaginal play without a flared base.

  • What should one do if experiencing pain during anal sex?

    -If pain or significant bleeding occurs during anal sex, it is important to stop immediately. Continuing with unsafe practices can lead to injury of the anal sphincter and potential long-term issues such as fecal incontinence.

  • How can one ensure a safe and enjoyable experience during anal sex?

    -Ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience involves open communication with your partner, using sufficient lubricant, changing condoms when switching from anal to vaginal penetration, using condoms or dental dams as appropriate, and listening to your body to avoid forcing the act when it's not ready.

  • What is the FDA approved condom for anal sex?

    -The FDA has approved a specific condom for anal sex, which can be found in the video description for more information.

Outlines
00:00
🚫 Safe Practices for Anal Sex

Dr. Rena Malik, a urologist and pelvic surgeon, discusses the prevalence and reasons behind engaging in anal sex, its historical depiction, and emphasizes the importance of safety. The summary highlights the necessity of communication and consent between partners, the need for ample lubrication due to the anus not self-lubricating, and the use of water-based lubricants suitable for anal sex. It also addresses the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV and HPV, and the importance of using condoms to mitigate these risks. The paragraph advises changing condoms when switching from anal to vaginal penetration and provides guidance on the safe use of anal toys, including the importance of using toys specifically designed for anal play with features like a flared base or a retrieval mechanism. It concludes with a caution against unsafe practices that could lead to injury and a reminder to cease any activity that causes significant pain or bleeding.

05:02
πŸ›‘ The Importance of Safety in Anal Sex

This paragraph reinforces the message of safety during anal sex, stressing the potential for injury if proper precautions are not taken. It mentions the risk of damaging the anal sphincter, which could result in fecal incontinence, although such occurrences are rare. Dr. Malik encourages viewers to have safe, enjoyable, and sensual experiences with a consenting partner and provides a link to the FDA-approved condom for anal sex in the video description. The summary underscores the importance of using adequate lubrication, listening to one's body, and not forcing the act when the body is not ready. It concludes with a reminder for viewers to stay safe and take care of their health.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Anal sex
Anal sex refers to the act of inserting a penis into the anus of another partner. It is a sexual activity that some people engage in for various reasons, including sexual pleasure, to avoid unwanted pregnancy, or because they find it more intimate or exciting than other forms of sexual intercourse. The video discusses the historical context, reasons for engaging in it, and emphasizes the importance of safety and communication when participating in anal sex.
πŸ’‘Safe sex
Safe sex involves taking precautions to protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and ensuring that sexual activities are consensual and respectful. In the context of the video, safe sex is highlighted as crucial when engaging in anal sex due to the delicate nature of the anal tissues and the potential for transmission of STIs like HIV, HPV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia.
πŸ’‘Lubricant
Lubricant is a substance used to reduce friction during sexual activities, particularly important in anal sex due to the anus not self-lubricating. The video emphasizes the need for ample lubrication, specifically water-based lubricants suitable for the anus, and the potential need to reapply due to their tendency to dry out. It also mentions alternatives like silicone-based or oil-based lubricants.
πŸ’‘Condom
A condom is a barrier device used during sexual activities to reduce the risk of STIs and unintended pregnancies. The video discusses the use of condoms in anal sex to prevent the transmission of STIs, noting that the FDA has an approved condom specifically for this purpose. It also advises changing condoms when switching from anal to vaginal penetration.
πŸ’‘Sex toys
Sex toys are objects used to enhance sexual pleasure. The video suggests starting with smaller toys or fingers lubricated for anal play and emphasizes the importance of using toys specifically designed for anal intercourse, which typically have a flared base or a retrieval mechanism to prevent them from getting lost in the rectum.
πŸ’‘Communication
Communication is the exchange of information, ideas, or feelings, which is essential in any sexual relationship. The video stresses the importance of communication, both verbal and non-verbal, to ensure that both partners are comfortable and consenting to engage in anal sex. It is key to understanding each other's desires and boundaries.
πŸ’‘Body language
Body language refers to the non-verbal cues and gestures that individuals use to communicate. In the context of the video, Dr. Rena advises paying attention to a partner's body language to gauge their comfort level and willingness to participate in anal sex, which is crucial for ensuring a consensual and pleasurable experience.
πŸ’‘STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections)
STIs are infections that spread primarily through sexual contact. The video discusses the increased risk of contracting STIs during anal sex due to the thinness and fragility of the anal tissue, which can easily bleed and expose individuals to each other's bodily fluids. Using condoms and being aware of one's and one's partner's STI status are highlighted as preventive measures.
πŸ’‘HIV
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) and is transmitted through bodily fluids. The video mentions HIV as one of the STIs that can be transmitted through unprotected anal sex, emphasizing the importance of using condoms to reduce the risk of transmission.
πŸ’‘HPV
HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is a group of viruses that can cause warts and is also linked to certain types of cancers. In the video, HPV is listed as an STI that can be transmitted through anal sex, highlighting the need for safe sex practices to protect against its transmission.
πŸ’‘Pelvic surgeon
A pelvic surgeon is a medical professional who specializes in surgeries involving the pelvic region, which includes the reproductive and urinary organs. Dr. Rena, the speaker in the video, is a urologist and pelvic surgeon, which lends credibility to the medical and surgical advice provided regarding anal sex and its potential risks.
Highlights

Anal sex is becoming more common among young heterosexual couples in the United States.

Approximately 37% of men and 30% of women have engaged in anal sex.

10% of sexually active women regularly engage in anal intercourse.

Anal sex can be seen as more intimate, a variety, or a taboo act.

Anal sex has been depicted in art dating back to 300 A.D.

When done correctly and safely, anal sex can be very safe.

Communication and consent are crucial before engaging in anal sex.

The anal canal does not self-lubricate, necessitating the use of lubricants.

Water-based lubricants are typically recommended for anal sex due to different pH levels.

Condom use is advised to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Changing condoms after anal penetration before vaginal penetration is important.

Starting with smaller toys is recommended for those new to anal play.

Toys for anal play should have a flared base or a retrieval mechanism.

It is crucial to sanitize toys after each use.

Pain or significant bleeding during anal sex is a sign to stop.

Unsafe anal sex can lead to injuries of the anal sphincter.

Always use sufficient lubricant to ensure comfort and safety.

The importance of listening to your body and not forcing the act when not ready.

The video provides a link to the FDA approved anal condom in the description.

Transcripts
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