“There are so many words out there--gay, straight, bi, pan. We are all humans, and we all have different likes and dislikes.”
—Amber, 18, Ohio
Sex Education by Teens, for Teens!
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“There are so many words out there--gay, straight, bi, pan. We are all humans, and we all have different likes and dislikes.”
—Amber, 18, Ohio
Is it okay to have anal sex?
Anal intercourse is when a man's penis enters his partner's anus. Some people find it very pleasurable. Some people don't. Some people are curious about it. Some people have no interest in trying it. You will have to decide for yourself whether or not it is something you want to do with a sexual partner. Also, whether it is right or wrong is up to you to decide for yourself.
Since the anus is not capable of producing its own lubrication (as the vagina can) and the tissue of the anus is very fragile, it is important that additional water-soluble lubrication (such as K-Y Jelly or Astro Glide) be used during anal sex. Without lubrication, there may be pain, discomfort, and possibly tearing of the tissue in the anus. During anal intercourse, the anal sphincter muscle must be relaxed (which can be helped by gentle stroking and penetration of a finger into the anus). Go slowly and, by all means, if it's not comfortable, then stop!
A condom is absolutely necessary during anal sex. Couples who engage in anal intercourse need to know that it is one of the riskiest of all sexual behaviors and is one of the primary ways that HIV can be spread sexually. Also, a heterosexual couple who engages in anal intercourse should NEVER put the penis into the vagina after it has been in the anus without changing the condom or washing the penis first. The bacteria in the anus can cause severe vaginal infections in women.
It is possible to get pregnant through anal sex if semen drips out of the anus into the opening of the vagina, which is not far away (another good reason to use a condom).
People have a lot of different feelings about anal sex. Some people think that only gay people (homosexuals) have anal sex. But that's not true. Anal sex is practiced by both homosexual and heterosexual couples. At the same time, some homosexual couples and some heterosexual couples never engage in anal sex.
Before engaging in anal intercourse, make sure that you and your partner have discussed and agreed upon it. Never pressure someone or let someone pressure you into having anal sex.