Category: Anal Myths

This category contains posts that discuss common myths. For more information, see our list of Common Myths & Fears About Anal Sex and Long-term Health.


Messages: My Wife Wants Anal More Often, But Worries It Will Cause Problems

Anonymous: My wife and I really enjoy anal sex. We’ve been having it about once a week for the last couple of years. My wife says she would like to have it more, but she’s afraid it will cause her problems later. Of course I would love to have anal every time we have sex. Is there information I can give her to reassure her anal sex won’t cause problems later?

I have a lot of anecdotal evidence from conversations with people who have been doing anal for a long time, including couples who have been anal only together for 30+ years, and who have experienced no long-term issues as a result.

The anal sphincter muscles are naturally tight and closed when relaxed, and that remains the case even after extensive use and stretching. Using muscles strengthens them, and that’s the case with anal as well. It also increases their elasticity/flexibility, which makes it easier to relax and open up quickly, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s still tightly closed when not in use, and can also be manually tightened through conscious control at any point. There are also exercises that can be done, just like kegel exercises, which target anal muscles and strengthen them further.

Another common concern is anal prolapse, but there’s no evidence that anal sex causes prolapse. It’s generally a preexisting condition that would develop on its own in the rare cases where it happens. What is most commonly shown in porn isn’t true prolapse, it’s the result of having very strong pelvic floor muscles and pushing out while simultaneously having a very open and relaxed anus, and is very much a conscious and deliberate thing rather than true “medical condition” level anal prolapse, which happens more uncontrollably, is very rare, and is not the result of anal sex/play.

Anal fissures can be a risk, but are easily mitigated by being conscious and the recipient listening to their body and stopping to reassess if something hurts, using enough lube, and warming up properly. Having anal sex more often, in fact, makes this and other sorts of injuries far less likely because the recipient remains far more constantly warmed up and ready for anal sex, which makes the entire process easier and requiring of less preparation.

So, yes, it’s quite safe to do it as often as she’s physically comfortable with, and the more often you do it, the more she’ll be physically comfortable with. Maybe try starting by going to twice a week for a month, then three times a week, and keep gradually increasing the frequency you do anal until you’re doing it every time, but at a slower pace so that she has time to adjust and assess and get comfortable with the idea and realize it’s not hurting her.

Message: Trash Talking Anal

Anonymous: It really frustrates me when people talk shit about anal without knowing the truth. I hear guys and girls both saying bad things about it, saying it’s bad for you, will make you have to wear diapers, hurts or is degrading to girls, liking it means you’re gay, etc etc. I bet almost none of them have even tried it! I’m anal only because my boyfriend and me love anal and don’t want to do vaginal, it doesn’t hurt and it’s not degrading, it’s just what we love! But if I say that, they’ll mock me.

Don’t worry about what people say out of ignorance. You know that you’re right, because you’re actually experienced anal and know that it’s not just great, it’s better than vaginal. That’s the reality. Like you said, they probably haven’t even done it or have only tried it once or twice with someone who didn’t know what they were doing. People who don’t know what they’re talking about with a sexual subject will often make fun of it or spread misinformation to try and fit in with the other people who are similarly ignorant.

That said, I think it’s a great opportunity to speak out and share the reality of anal with them. Just tell them that actually, you really like anal and do it all the time, and it’s not bad, it doesn’t hurt, it’s not degrading, etc. Share your experiences and your perspective and tell them how it’s your favorite way to have sex. More often than not, you’ll get some of them interested, even the ones who mock it the most, and they might want to learn more and try it for themselves. If they do, help them discover just why anal is so much better. You have an opportunity to make a real difference with them.

Message: Why Do Some Claim Anal Is Horrible For Women But Healthy For Men?

Anonymous: It’s weird how some feminists claim that anal is some sort of horrible experience for women, while those same people defend gay rights and gay marriage. Why would anal be perfectly fine and healthy or even romantic when it’s between men, and some terrible thing when it involves a woman? Anal seems even more logical to me for straight women since women are biologically “designed” to take pleasure from penetration, much more so than men.

There are a lot of myths surrounding anal sex out there which many people still believe, regardless of their political views, gender, or sexuality, so if someone believes anal is a painful or degrading experience, it’s not surprising they would object to it in a variety of ways. There are also many who think that men can enjoy it while women can’t because men have a prostate, when in reality it can be enjoyed equally by men and women both. Most negative views of anal come from those who either haven’t tried it themselves or are looking through the lens of only negative experiences with inexperienced partners.

My goal is to show that anal is a universally good thing and that everyone can enjoy its superior pleasures, but they have to want to. It shouldn’t be forced onto anyone, or be some sort of unwanted obligation.

Message: Is Anal Natural or Unnatural?

Anonymous: My girlfriend and me argue. I say anal sex is natural and she says it isn’t. Nothing new there I guess. Reading all the posts here allows me to dream of a better life and reminds me that not all women are the same.

The natural/unnatural debate can take place even between seasoned anal/anal only enthusiasts, so that’s less of an issue. I presume that she uses this argument to justify not wanting to do it, however. What is the true root of that for her? Has she tried it and not enjoyed it? Is she afraid of pain? Cleanliness? Injury? When you dig down and find the real root of the issue, you can usually find a way to work around it together.

The 5 Rules of Anal Play for Women

alwaysanalblog: “Anal sex gets a bad reputation for a few different reasons. The main reason is that anal sex is often portrayed in porn as a power-dynamic with the woman being submissive to the man’s desires.

There is so much “It hurts,” “It’s gross,” “You’re a slut,” or “I only do it to please my man” dialogue. Unfortunately, anal sex isn’t something that women openly admit to trying, never mind openly admit to enjoying.

Well, you have to forget all of that. A one-sided representation of anal sex has made its way into society and stuck. There are so many benefits of anal sex – including the possibility of intense pleasure. It is also a great way to target your G-spot (in certain positions like doggy style). The power-dynamic is not necessarily a submissive one (although if you enjoy being submissive, this can work for you). The woman is often in control. And, while you might have been told that anal sex is anti-feminist, there is nothing more feminist than taking control of your own pleasure.”

Continue Reading

Message: Why Are So Many People Trashing Anal?

Anonymous: Why are there so many people in your inbox trashing anal? If you don’t like it that’s your problem. So many people are insisting that women don’t enjoy anal but that’s completely untrue, I can vouch myself! I’m seriously considering anal only!

Some people are just trolls, some people are confused or inexperienced, some people just don’t like anal and can’t imagine anyone else does either.

Most of us here know that they’re wrong, at least in the universal sense that they talk about. Sure, not all women enjoy anal, but we tend to take the optimistic approach that everyone can enjoy it if they want to put in the effort to get to that point, while people who leave such comments take the pessimistic approach that “if I don’t like it, no woman does!”

I tend to only post and respond to such comments publicly if there’s value in publicly disputing the arguments and perhaps showing an alternate point of view for the consideration of those who are on the fence on the subject.

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Anal Sex?

alwaysanalblog: An apprehensive reader asks:

My husband and I really enjoy anal sex. I need a lot of foreplay, and it always kind of hurts at first, but once we get going, it feels really good and makes me climax. I have two questions for you, though. The first is, why does this feel good and give me orgasms? I don’t get the anatomy of this. It seems to me there is nothing in there that should feel this good. Secondly, what are the long-term effects of anal sex? My husband would have it all the time if I let him, but I try to keep it to once a month due to the fact that it takes a lot of time to warm me up and sometimes I’m just not into the initial pain involved. I’m also afraid that, if we do it too frequently, the long-term effects could be negative.

Part of the problem not addressed in the article is that the reason it can hurt at first is because she isn’t having enough anal – once a month simply isn’t frequent enough to get the anus in physical condition for sex.

Still, the response gets it right in one respect:

When it comes to anal sex, you’ve got several feel-good nerves working for you, including the pelvic nerve running to the rectum and the pudendal nerve to the muscles surrounding the anus. So your orgasms back there are perfectly — and anatomically — normal.

The author of the article goes on to list only two possible long term effects. One of them, rough sex, is only temporarily inconvenient, while the other, anal cancer from HPV, is just as likely with vaginal sex and isn’t unique to anal.

They finish with:

But there’s no reason to deny yourselves the pleasures of the back door. Being able to orgasm in different ways is an anatomical perk. Enjoy it.

Read More

Anal Sex: The Latest Craze in American Bedrooms

alwaysanalblog:

  • Anal sex provides a completely different set of feelings during orgasms for both partners. Not only are the pleasurable sensations different, anal sex can also help enhance a couple’s sense of intimacy.
  • Some couples are turning to anal sex as an alternative to vaginal penetration. This can be due to a number of reasons, including health conditions.
  • Over 36% of women recently reported having anal sex at least once, and this increase can also be caused by society’s general acceptance that sexual intercourse is meant to be enjoyed. It is not an act to be performed only for procreation.
  • With more couples willing to experiment with new sexual positions, anal sex has become less of a taboo subject and more of a normal and healthy sexual relationship. Over 44% of all heterosexual men admitted to engaging in anal sex.
  • Anal sex is as natural as vaginal intercourse. It is simply a different way for couples to give and experience pleasure.

Read More