For most people, anal sex can be painful, especially when it is their first time or is with a partner who is not gentle. In a survey of 412 people by the San Francisco Aids Foundation, 96% of participants reported having, or having had, anal sex. Of those participants:

• 86% said that they had experienced pain at least once, while 9% had never experienced pain
• 36% said that they had enjoyed pain during anal sex
• 64% of people who had anally penetrated a partner said that their partner had asked them to stop because of the pain

Anal sex may hurt for several reasons, including:

• the anus not producing lubrication for sex
• the sphincter muscles of the anus being very tight
• certain health issues, such as hemorrhoids, making it painful

However, anal sex does not have to hurt, and severe pain may indicate that a person is doing something potentially harmful.

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