Anal anxiety
Question
Someone told me that if I have too much anal sex then I'd develop anal incontinence, is this true?
Answer
We've not heard of people becoming incontinent after practising safe anal sex on a regular basis.
Like any aspect of sex, though, there are things you probably want to think about before having anal sex. Firstly, it should be something you feel comfortable doing. The 'receptive' partner must be able to relax their anal sphincter in order to accommodate the erect penis. The anal sphincter is a ring of muscle that can be contracted or relaxed under voluntary control, but forced penetration may result in tearing of the sensitive skin around the anus or the sphincter itself. This can result in severe anal pain or even faecal incontinence.
Many people choose to use a lubricant during anal intercourse to make penetration easier and to reduce any discomfort. KY Jelly is popular as it can be used with all condoms and it's important to remember that oil-based lubricants can damage some condoms, so be sure to read the label.
If any sexual act causes you a considerable amount of pain it's important to stop, and seek advice.
Having unprotected anal sex (or any other unprotected sexual activity) will put you at risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI). To reduce the risk of infection, always use a condom. Extra strong condoms are usually recommended for anal sex.
Ultimately, the decision on how to have sex is one made between you and your partner, and it's a good idea to talk through your feelings, wishes and concerns together. Alternatively, if you would like to speak to a counsellor in confidence you can visit you local Brook Centre (under 25s) or another local sexual health service.
Updated: 14/04/2010
Question answered by YouthNet in association with Brook
