Guide on how to have safe anal sex
How to have safe anal sex: A guide with Freddie Bentley (PinkNews)
From douching to condoms and dental dams, reality star and influencer Freddie Bentley answers your questions about anal sex.
In a sex-positive video guide, Bentley shares his experiences of having anal sex for the first time, how to practice safe anal sex, masturbation, why consent is key, and he also reviews sex toys from Taboo.
Watch the video on how to have safe anal sex below:
How to have safe anal sex
Anal sex is any form of penetration or play with the anus. As with any form of sex, consent is key.
“Remember that if someone is drunk or high they cannot consent,” Isabel Inman, from sexual health charity Brook, told PinkNews.
“If you ever feel at all uncomfortable or unsure at any stage of sexual contact whether it is beforehand or during sex, you have every right to change your mind and stop.”
To practice safe sex, ensure you are using protection. Condomless anal sex with a penis carries a lot of sexually transmitted infection (STI) risks.
Using a dental dam will protect you from infections caused by viruses or bacteria, such as hepatitis A and E coli which can be passed from oral to anal sex.
You may also want to consider taking PrEP, but remember this only reduces the risk of contracting HIV, not STIs.
Remember to go for regular sexual health clinic check-ups, and make it part of your routine, even if you don’t have symptoms.
“It’s like my second home,” Freddie Bentley joked. Watch the video above to see Freddie review sex toys from Taboo.
“Condoms come in many sizes, and extra strong ones are available and recommended for anal sex,” Inman explained.
“When you decide to stop having sex, gently remove the penis and make sure you hold the condom at the base of the penis so that no sperm leaks out, then tie a knot in it and throw it in the bin.”
After anal sex, you may notice some bleeding as it is very easy to tear the delicate skin on the anus.
“If it’s bright red and disappears within a few minutes then it should be fine but if the blood is darker and doesn’t stop then you should seek medical advice,” Inman added.
How to prepare for anal sex
Some people choose to douche before anal sex, which is essentially cleaning the anal passage with warm water.
Don’t use perfume or any kind of fragrance for this as it can cause irritation and increase the risk of catching STIs if a condom isn’t used. Watch the video above to see Freddie Bentley test a glow in the dark douche from Taboo.
Remember, consent is required for any form of sex, and it’s important to communicate with your partner beforehand.
“If you are the person receiving anal sex it is really important that you feel in control of how deep penetration goes, and it is worth thinking about this when you experiment with positions,” Inman explained.
“If you are the person giving anal sex it is important to be slow and gentle, and be led by your partner’s reaction.
“Communication is key and if either of you feel pain or discomfort at any time then you must stop.
“Even if you don’t feel pain or discomfort but you are simply not finding it pleasurable then you should stop. Sex should always be fun for everyone involved.”
Why do men like it?
It’s a well-Googled question but not all men who have sex with men enjoy or practice anal sex—people of all genders and sexualities enjoy it but being a gay or bisexual man shouldn’t mean that it has to be the default.
“The anus and rectum both have sensitive nerve endings which can make anal sex and anal play pleasurable for many people,” Isabel Inman, from sexual health charity Brook, told PinkNews.
“Additionally, lots of people with penises enjoy having their prostate stimulated—this is the small gland just in front of the rectum.
“Anal sex isn’t for everyone and it’s important to remember that if you don’t want to try it, or if you try it and you don’t like it, there are lots of ways to have mind blowing sex without any penetration.”
