What is one sexual activity that often gets a bum rap? You guessed right — anal sex. Even those teens who practice it keep quiet for fear of being criticized and judged. Popular misconceptions about it run wild, including such ideas as: only people who are gay do it; it's safer sex; it's just nasty.

Well, let's take a moment right now to uncover some of these hump-related myths and discover the real deal about anal sex.

 

 
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Only Gay Men Have Anal Sex

One of the biggest myths is that anal sex is an act done only between gay men. Because anal sex is one way for gay men to receive and give pleasure, it's often categorized as strictly a homosexual activity. In truth, this is not the case.

"There are very few behaviors that are exclusive to any one combination of genders," says Jennifer Johnston, a sexuality educator for Planned Parenthood of Western Washington. "Only about half of gay men enjoy anal sex as their primary form of sexual intercourse with a partner. [And] approximately 30 to 40 percent of heterosexual couples have tried anal sex," she says. She mentions that women and men, regardless of sexual orientation, may enjoy anal stimulation from the penis, fingers, dildos and other sex toys.

This brings us to the pleasure factor. "The anus - like the fingertips and the genitals - contains many nerve endings. Therefore, the right kind of touch can create very pleasant sensations, especially when a person is relaxed and not experiencing tension or fear," says Johnston . The repeated stimulation can contribute to orgasm in both men and women.

Some Teens Think It's Safer Sex

Some heterosexual teens engage in anal sex thinking it's safer sex because it's not the "conventional" way for a woman to become pregnant. Johnston , however, says, "It's not a completely effectively form of birth control. Pregnancies have occurred from the semen ("cum") coming out of the anus and dripping into the vagina or from the guy ejaculating outside the anus." It's less likely to result in pregnancy than unprotected vaginal sex, but pregnancy is still possible.

Also, since the anus is tighter than the vagina, the possibility for the skin in the anus to tear is higher. This means that sexually transmitted diseases, notably HIV, have a greater chance of being passed from one partner to the other, if one person is infected.

And while condoms and a water-based lubricant are always recommended for safer sex, the friction in the anus, especially without lubrication, can cause the condom to rip or tear more easily. That's why it is so important to be slow and careful when engaging in anal sex.

A number of teens think that having anal sex allows them to maintain their virginity. There are lots of different opinions on what classifies a virgin. Whether you decide to call yourself a virgin or not is up to you. Just remember that anal sex is still a very intimate sexual activity with emotional and physical risks involved.

But, It's Nasty!

Anal sex brings with it the concerns that is unclean and, therefore, unsafe. Johnston says that while many people find the anus to be an erogenous zone, "exclamations of distaste are usually followed by such comments as ‘It's an exit not an entry.'" Paul, 17 of NJ, remembers his sex education teacher talking about the stigma regarding anal sex. "She mentioned how people say, ‘Things are supposed to come out of your anus, not go into it.'"

While there is a possibility of coming into contact with feces, Johnston reassures that "the rectum isn't the main storage area for feces. The colon is. So if a person has had a recent bowel movement and eats healthy food and keeps regular, the rectum can be feces-free, especially if it is washed thoroughly before engaging in anal sex."

If you feel anal sex is wrong, then you shouldn't do it. As with vaginal sex, it is important that both partners are comfortable and prepared before engaging in anal sex. A penis or sex toy in the anus can be painful if the sphincter muscles, the muscles that control the closing of the anus, are not relaxed.

"If a person is considering anal sex, it's a great plan to…introduce the idea, and the behavior, very gently [to your partner]," says Johnston . "Relaxation is the key to pleasure in this area, so helping a partner talk through their concerns…will strongly enhance pleasure," she says. Another piece of advice is to stop if anything hurts or causes great discomfort.

If you choose to integrate anal sex into your sexual experience, you should have all the facts to make the best decision for your body. As with all sexual acts, what matters the most is your comfort and your safety.

"The three important words to remember for anal sex safety are: communication, lubrication and condoms!" advises Johnston .