Anal sex
Anal sex or anal intercourse is human sexual behavior involving the anus and rectum, especially, but not limited to, the insertion of the erect penis into the anus. The use of sex toys and other activities involving the anus and rectum can be considered anal sex as well.
Anal sex remains taboo in many cultures and is still illegal in some jurisdictions (see Sodomy law).
Overview
The terms sodomy and buggery are imprecise: while they are sometimes used as synonyms for anal sex, they often refer to various other sexual activities. For instance, depending upon the jurisdiction, the legal definition of sodomy may include any non-coitus act, including oral sex and bestiality.
Anal sex has been taboo in many Western countries since the Middle Ages, when heretical movements were sometimes slandered by rumors that their members practiced anal sex among themselves. At that time the mainstream Christian clergy was not celibate, and the highest orders of some heretical sects were, leading to rumors that their celibacy was a sign of their attraction to members of the same sex. The term buggery originated in medieval Europe as an insult used to describe the rumoured same-sex sexual practices of the "heretical" residents of the Bulgar region (in what is today known as Bulgaria). The Bulgars were one of the last European tribes to hold heretical forms of Christianity.
Some medieval woodcuts portray persons kissing the anus of a goat-like figure representing the Devil.
Although practiced by heterosexual couples, it has often been associated with homosexual men. Like persons of other sexual orientations, some gay men enjoy sexual activities of this kind while many others do not.
Heterosexual couples
Edward O. Laumann's The Social Organization of Sexuality: Sexual Practices in the United States found that about 20% of heterosexuals have engaged in anal sex. In several cultures (such as the Mediterranean area and Latin America) and countries (such as Brazil, where almost 50% of the population practices anal sex [1]), female receptive anal intercourse is widely accepted amongst heterosexuals, not only for the pleasures involved, but also as a method of contraception, and as a way of preserving female virginity (or at least preserving an intact hymen until marriage). As a method of birth control anal intercourse should probably be considered a fairly reliable but not foolproof method, as it is still possible for semen to contact the vagina and result in pregnancy.
Although male receptive anal sex has often been thought of as the exclusive province of gay men, some straight men have found receptive anal sex to be a source of sexual pleasure. A woman may penetrate her male partner using her fingers or an object such as a dildo or butt plug; harnesses can be used so that a woman can wear a dildo (referred to as a "strap-on"). This often forms part of BDSM as practiced by dominatrices. This practice is called pegging (see Savage Love). The insertion and strategically timed removal of a handkerchief or other similar fabric is also sometimes utilized.
Gay and lesbian couples
Gay men have long been associated with anal sex. Edward O. Laumann's The Social Organization of Sexuality: Sexual Practices in the United States (1994) found that about 80% of American gay and bisexual men have engaged in anal sex. However, not all gay men participate in anal sex or find it pleasurable. Some gay men reserve anal sex only for committed relationships.
Several cultures, such as Ancient Greece, earned a reputation as normative practitioners of same-sex anal sex (the term "Greek love" was used to refer to the practice; in modern times, "Greek" is sometimes used as a euphemism for anal sex. See gay slang). It was customary for an older man to enter into a mentor-student relationship with a young boy, and the relationship frequently included sexual activity. Some have argued that rather than anal sex, this was actually interfemoral intercourse.
While some gay male couples comprise an "active" partner and a "receptive" partner (a top and a bottom) this is not true of all gay couples who practice anal sex: though some relationships are structured this way, many gay men who have anal sex both "top" and "bottom" at different times (see switch.)
In some cultures, a man who tops other men is not considered homosexual, whereas a man who bottoms is. Anglo-American Homosexual culture does not make this distinction; both tops and bottoms who sleep exclusively with men are considered gay. In some contexts anal sex between men, particularly when one or both partners identify as heterosexual, is associated with dominance or disregard for the receptive partner (see prison sexuality).
While anal sex between lesbians is generally considered less prevalent, lesbian couples are not unknown to practice anal sex as a matter of personal preference.
Pleasure
Anal sex can be very pleasurable both for the insertive partner and the receptive partner. The anus contains many of the same kinds of nerves as the penis or clitoris, and stimulating the anus can produce sexual pleasure.
The presence of the prostate gland near the rectal wall is a generally seen as a source of pleasure for men who enjoy receiving anal sex. For women, pleasure derived from anal intercourse can be related to the rectum sharing a wall with the vagina (the sexual nerves are actually closer on that side, making the sensation different and sometimes actually stronger) as well as many other factors.
Lubricants, great care, and communication are all very important to avoid pain during the act.
Health risks
Anal sex is an effective means of transmitting most sexually transmitted diseases. In particular, it is the sexual activity which most effectively transmits the HIV (AIDS) virus. According to health care professionals, condoms should always be used for anal intercourse, but they should by no means be considered an absolute safeguard. The best safeguard is to avoid anal sex with anyone known to have a sexually transmissible disease, and indeed with anyone whose disease-negative status has not been determined, though this advice to some extent applies to all sexual activity.
Anal sex does carry some risks to health and comfort even in the absence of a risk of sexually transmitted disease. The vagina is well adapted to sex, being strengthened for this activity and secreting its own lubrication, whereas the anus and rectum are not. Thus, artificial lubrication is generally used in anal sex (oil-based lubricants like Vaseline destroy latex condoms, and the two should not be used together). The anorectal muscles are largely under involuntary control, making slow, gentle, and responsive insertion necessary to avoid pain. Additionally, nothing which has been placed in or at the anus should ever contact the vulva, vagina, or mouth without being thoroughly washed with soap or a similar disinfectant, to avoid infection caused by the transmission of inappropriate bacteria to this area. This includes fingers.
It is also very important to be careful when inserting objects into the anus. Objects with edges or points can cause severe injury. Moreover, objects could get lodged in the rectum, resulting in a trip to the emergency room (for this reason, most dildos nowadays are made with flared bases.) Additionally, nothing longer than eight inches (20 cm) -- be it a penis, a vibrator, or anything else -- should be inserted into the rectum. Objects exceeding eight inches risk colliding with the sigmoid colon, the lining of which is probably not much stronger than a wet paper towel, and trauma can result in internal bleeding with potentially fatal results. Objects inserted in the anus should be washed carefully after every use. It is dangerous to share sex toys; if a dildo is used on more than one person, it should be covered with a condom which is changed after each use. (See masturbation for more information on the use of sex toys.)
In all forms of anal sex, it is very important that the person being penetrated know their limits and insist that the penetrator slow down, stop, and/or withdraw if they are in pain. Like any form of sex, anal sex is rendered much more dangerous under the influence of alcohol or drugs, which reduce responses, judgment, and ability to pay attention to one's own needs.
See also: rimming, fisting, lithotomy position, Buggery Act (UK), list of slang terms for anal sex, eunuchs fiddle