Anal sex and health

Sex and relationships
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What should you pay attention to when it comes to anal sex?

  • Anal sex is sex in the ass
  • Anal sex can feel great.
  • It’s important that you relax. This will make it easier to take a penis in your ass
  • Anal sex can raise the chances of getting HIV or other STDs
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How does anal sex work?

The inside of your ass is very sensitive. That’s why lots of people enjoy anal sex.

It’s normal to feel a bit scared before having anal sex for the first time. The feeling of someone’s penis in your ass can be painful. But if you relax properly, use lube, and take the time together, it won’t hurt.

There are 2 ways of having anal sex:

  • Someone can insert his penis in your ass. In this case, you’re the bottom
  • You can enter someone’s ass with your penis. In this case, you’re the top

Some men prefer sex as a bottom, others as a top. You can also like both. This is called versatile (or vers).

Read tips for bottoms

Read tips for tops

Possible symptoms after anal sex

Anal sex can cause these conditions:

  • Anal bleeding
  • Itchy anus

These symptoms are mostly caused by a tear in your anus or hemorrhoids. But you could also have an STD.

Anal sex increases the chances of STDs

If you have anal sex, you’re more likely to get an STD. Bottoming (having a penis inserted in your ass) poses a slightly higher risk for STDs than topping (inserting your penis in someone’s ass).

How can you avoid getting an STD or other symptoms?

  • Get tested for STDs 2 times a year. This way you will know if you have an STD and you can get treated. If you do this, you won’t get sick. And you won’t pass on the STD anymore.
  • Use a condom.
  • Use lube. This way, your anus will be less likely to tear. Read more about lube
  • When having sex, try to relax as much as possible

What is your ass made of?

Your lower torso is home to organs that allow you to poo and pee. And to have sex. Do you want to enjoy anal sex? Then it’s important to know how everything in that area works. Read about what your ass is made of.

If you don’t want to have anal sex

Do you not want to have anal sex? You’re not alone. Lots of men rarely – or even never – practice anal sex. Some men who don’t want to have anal sex call themselves ‘sides’. On dating apps, you can indicate this with an arrow to the side ( -> or the emoji version). 

There are plenty other things you can do to enjoy good sex. Read more about sides

Podcast: Meet Doctor Carlton.

Dr. Carlton die in een opname microfoon spreekt

In this episode, Arjan interviews Dr. Carlton, the American gastroenterologist who gained international fame with his informative TikTok and Instagram videos about anal sex and health for gay, bi and queer men. We discuss, among other things, Carlton's well-known “butt clock method,” his tips for douching, the Trump administration's impact on sexual health in the United States, and his view on the Dutch decision to no longer test for chlamydia as standard practice and the cautious doxyPEP advice.

Dr. Carlton is an American gastroenterologist who provides information about anal health and STIs via social media. In this podcast, he also talks about doxyPEP and expresses a point of view that does not align with the Dutch position.

Listen to the podcast
Dr. Carlton die in een opname microfoon spreekt

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