Anal Sex For Beginners
An estimated one-fourth of straight couples have had anal sex. How-to advice.

They're the three little words millions of lonely hearts long to hear. Words that imply a great deal of mutual trust, caring, and comfort. Words that could change your love life forever ...
"Let's do anal."
Experts estimate one in four straight couples have had anal sex, arguably making it the most popular of sexual taboos. Yet while many people are at the very least curious enough to try it, few go about it the right way. The result? They have a negative experience, and never do it again.
In order to enjoy anal sex, couples need to have some idea of what they're doing, and to be able to communicate with each other. Of course, talking frankly about a ding-dong in a yoo-hoo can be tough. "Our asses carry with them so much cultural baggage," says Tristan Taormino, author of The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex For Women. "Most of us are taught at a young age that our butts are dirty, that they shouldn't be shared with others, that they are not a source of pleasure—all of which aren't true."
Despite that (or perhaps because of it), the idea of anal sex is often a turn-on. Men like the promise of tightness and friction, and both partners can appreciate the allure of unique physical sensations coupled with domination/submission. Think those qualities make it deviant?
Maybe so, but they also make it intensely intimate. As porn star Jenna Jameson wrote of anal sex in her 2004 autobiography, "I've only given that up to three men, all of whom I really loved. Doing it on camera would be compromising myself."
There's no "right" way to begin exploring, but it's probably wise to start with something less ambitious than a penis. Richard and Lola* had been together for four months when he put his hand on her butt during sex. "I realized I really wanted to put my finger in her ass, but I was hesitant because we'd never done that before," says Richard, a 34-year-old physicist in San Francisco. "Without a word, she grabbed my hand and put it there for me. It was amazing."
Later, in the middle of particularly intense sex, an overzealous Richard aimed himself a bit too far south. He realized his mistake and pulled away, but Lola pulled him back. They proceeded to have first-time, undiscussed anal sex without lube—and loved it.
"I've since discovered that's not a good way to do it," says Lola, 32, a lawyer. "But that night I had the most powerful orgasm of my life. It's one of the hottest things you can do, but you definitely have to be in the mood. Someone can't just spring it on you."
Outside of MTV shows and "family" comedies, most people aren't eager to talk about their butts—especially with their partners. But it doesn't need to be a face-reddening experience. "If you and your partner speak openly and directly about sex, then be open and direct about your anal desires," Taormino says. "If you're unsure about how your partner may respond, bring it up in an indirect way."
Wow ran into this topic head first. As a guy my question is. Between the two, which is the cleaner orifice? All this talk of bacteria is saying that we should not be in that hole in the first place.
I have not done it yet however over the summer at the pool, I saw enough lovely butts
and started having thoughts about it. Fanasties and that caused me to include it
in my solo sex. Im planning on the next date who is willing to try it I will give it
a try if she is experienced or wants to.
The thing about anal is lubrication, but I prefer 'Swiss Navy' or 'Wet' and stretching or preparation. I love anal, and yes the orgasm is very different but if prepared correctly (!!!!!) with lube it is fantastic. If not ,it hurts horribly. Defiantly NOT a lick it and stick it position! Also, note worthy, any anal toy with string or porous is a one time use only because the bacteria gets with in the string and no longer safe.
If worried about 'meeting a neighbor' then you or your partner can test the 'culdesac' with surgical gloves. We keep a box by the bed for all kinds of play, but this is #1. Also, NEVER wear a condom and go in through the back door, then back through the front door! Need to change the rain coat!
My boyfriend and I have been discussing anal sex. I have never done that before and I am very nervous about if there will be a smell or any sign of feces. I also told him that if he would receive some anal play from me that I would definitely try it for him. He however refuses to allow me to buy a dildo to use on him....Which makes me wonder why he would want to insert his penis inside of my anus...he is not small...and not be willing to take something that size in his own. I tell you ladies, if he is not willing to receive it, I would not allow him to give it. Its only fair. He allows my finger in there, and when I stimulate his prostate, I have to peel him off the ceiling after he cums. I in return allow him to insert his finger in my anus (which does nothing for me its more for him). But it really gets him in the mood to have anal sex with me...which brings us back to his unwillingness to let me do that to him first.....hmm. Little advice?
Actually it probably has more to do with toy phobias or homophobic. Through research about what guys think, and asking guy friends, a lot of men have issues with the whole thought of what makes them 'gay'. I found things like !!!! small !!!! cucumbers, carrots, objects around the house-i.e. GF got her DH to try a travel kit size shampoo bottle....if he enjoys anal then he enjoys anal, but some guys need to be able to brag and a penis shaped dildo is not it, and real men don't ~do~ toys. What ever. Hope this helps!
I LOVE ANAL SEX BUT LOVE ALL 3 LOVE HOLES OF A WOMAN..
AND I USE THEM ALL..CANT BEAT IT.
Ok ladies i understand this can be very scary . Me and my wife have done it on and off for years the key to doing it anal is you the female are in charge your input can make this great or make it something you won't want to try again .
If you worry about poop then tell him to wait then go buy a fleet and use it 1 hour before you want to try . Next find a lube ONE that's made for internal use apply to the male part put a little on your anus if you don't mind have him insert a lubed finger .
Even with the finger the key is go S-L-O-W your butt needs time to relax the Spincher muscle if not pain will follow .
Ok now your ready to start what i do is my wife and me lay of our sides i press my penis up to her butt then she backs into it that way she is in control of how much is going into her .
After a min or so maybe longer sometimes. She will say OK then i can begin but again Slow is the key you can pick up the pace when and only when your body is ready .
My wife claims to have a really nice orgasm and until i read this fourm i was doubting her a bit but after reading some of the ladies posts here i feel much better .
I recently started having regular anal with my boyfriend and whilst we found it to be an immensely pleasurable experience, I have spent the last night in hospital checking whether I had a rectal abscess. Thank god I didn't, but the bruising, bleeding and severe pain I have had over the past three days are something anyone doing this should be aware of. I'm interested to know if anyone on this forum knows how regularly you should be doing anal? Are the stories of anal prolapse real or an urban myth? The internet is useful but there is some really conflicting advice out there.
Rosegal there is no need to answer my questions they are just something for you to answer to your self .
#1 The bleeding and maybe a bit of burning might you have some Hemorrhoids i know i do and i don;t have anything going up there when they act up they bleed and hurt like hell .
#2 is your boyfriend really large (thick) if so maybe your just too small or he needs to take WAY more time getting you ready . Bruising because of anal sex means stop at least till you heal up .
Better yet i would seek out a DR and ask him if it is hurting you inside .
I honestly thought anal was going to be impossible with my boyfriend. We tried before, and it's just too big! I didn't give up though, we slowly worked up to it over weeks with anal play, and one night, it just felt like the right time.
The best advice I can give, is you should only have anal with someone you are completely in love with. It requires full trust, and when that is present, is unbelievably pleasurable. For as tiny as I am, and as well endowed as my boyfriend is, and we have managed it, and it's that good, you can too, with alot of lube & love :)
Thanks to this article and the practical advice it gave, I tried anal sex today with my lover. I enjoyed it, didn't have an orgasm, but I can tell I will be able to have one next time. I am so grateful to this author for dispelling some of my fears. Thank you for a great article, and for opening up another realm of sexuality for me.
In the past 5 years, my partner and i've had anal sex a total of 7 times, we argued about it and it turns out we actually had it 7 times, only one time was it pleasureble, it hurts and the size of his penis doesn't help at all.
I like it at times, but i gotta really be turned on. My man has to do his job to get me there where it's very plesurable rather than painful.
i have had anal sex only with 2 of my partners. one of them after we were together for about six months. not only this he was my first love! we tried it and the first couple of times, it was ok but i wasnt really into it. then we started trying other stuff first and it got me to relax a lot more. Then one morning he woke me up to my suprise with oral sex! it was great and i was already so horny that i didnt even realize that instead of him having sex with me vaginally he was actually having anal sex with me and my orgasm was the most meraculous thing i have ever felt! now with my new partner we have tried it and i dont like it with him there is just something not there that will get me going the way my last partner did.
My guy is just coming around to anal sex. I have done it a few times and enjoyed it. He tried it when he was in High school and made the poor girls ass bleed. So he was not really into that idea. But lately he says he has been turned on about the thought. So with a little coaching, he has really been into it.
Me and my mate have had anal sex several times. I really enjoyed it. I bought lube that dessensitize my anal and it felt wonderful. I had a wonderful orgasm each time we did it. He also ejaculated several times also. I loved it. And it just feels so good when your man rub and consoles you, while handling you rough. It GREAT!!!!!
To the comments of girls who are afraid about anal sex - Remember, if it's something YOU don't want to do, then don't do it. Anal sex won't keep a man around
Wishing you the best in love,
Blaire Allison
The Love Guru
Get a FREE 13+ Minute MP3 Audio Download and Dating Exercise - "The Best Kept Secret to Attracting The "One" @ http://loveguru.net/freegift.html
Two words for the main point: Exit only.
This is my preference, so please do no spam me for it, as I'm certain that you, dear Reader, also have preferences.
I'm more of a 'natural order of things' person, and since the vagina: a)lacks a sphincter that can be damaged (unlike the anus), b)accepts sperm in a purposeful way, c)comes with lube, and d)that lube isn't poop... well, I'm gonna say that maybe God had designs for each of those organs and that sex wasn't in the big plan for our good ol' bums.
But it feels good, you say? Well, not to everyone. However, to those who do enjoy it and the toe-curling little spasms that come with, let's consider the act. The 'giver' receives a tight clamp, clenching, and almost full domination. The 'receiver', if they enjoy anal sex, enjoys this and whatever comes with it.
Now don't get me wrong, I like take-charge sessions as much as the next hot-blooded woman... but I trust the sex making capabilities of my partner, myself, and my vagina to create the thrill found in those sessions (and oh do they!). It almost makes anal sex seem like a cop out. As in, the fireworks are created by imagination and heat - not from the byproducts of overextending certain body parts' functions.
Butts are stimulating, I'm sure, but poop smells and tastes bad for a reason. It is the body's waste, made to go along a one-way street (your anus); exit only.
during foreplay my wife enjoys playing with my ass. At first mostly touching and rubbing,then the more she got turned on,well,lets just say we got some KY to keep next to the bed.Seems to turn her on as much as it does me,she even orgasms hunching my leg while fingering me. I guess our next move is anal sex,but not sure she would go for it as much as she enjoys doing me.
In my twenties my husband,at the time, and I had lots of anal sex. We often used as a form of birth control, doing it at my ovulation time. He entered me from on top or I sat on top of him. Both ways worked and I always had powerful orgasms. it was great. For many years though after our divorce I did not like anal sex until recently. I have a lovely lover now who enters my anus from behind while I lie flat on my tummy. Meanwhile I play with my clitoris and often when he explodes in me I gush a lake onto our bed. I became a squirter about 5 years ago but never did I ejaculate like this until he came into my life. Life is full of wonderful surprises!
enema...you have to have true enemas for anal sex. begin with a fleet or two and then get the real thing..the hanging bag and all. this could take your concerns about feces on your partner away. spontaneous anal sex..i have not experienced. good luck.

experienced with one guy who really knew what he was doing. we made a day of it. it helped that i have done yoga for 15 years...the standing bend forward is a complete turn on. the best advice i have is to be sure you have fun with your partner and make it a full day affair! enemas are a must. clean yourself out but have your man do it...and use a bit of sake in the second go round with the enema...does wonders in relaxing a person.
after several showers...both feeling clean ..which to me is a total turn on...this man knew how to lick me so i was opening up so quickly. remember, we made a day of it each time we engaged in anal delight. the spoon position is good, no doubt. most important...relax because with the lubrication which is a MUST a woman can totally relax and be brought to new and amazing heights of sexual ectasy...this is the only man i have had anal sex with..and now that i am married i am doing my best to "teach" my man what to do..it is not easy. could it be that some men just know how to do anal sex while others carry some inner fears of failure? i don't know the answer. i do know i had the best sex of my life with the man who gently walked me through my first anal sex experience..and i miss it.
did it once while ex wifey was prego- not worth it the girls hurt too much - don't force them into that s**t- the Greeks are nomads
okay. so i have never had anal. cuz im a little nervous. alot of the people i have talked to said that it hurts.. and that you get poop on him. and that would be a little imbarrasing.. my partner wants to try it. and so do i. how can i get over the nerves so that i can just relax?!
The best thing to do be4 you do it is to use the rest room at least 2 hours be4 to make sure you don't poop on him. when you do do it you can go to the sex shop and buy some dessensitizer and it takes the feeling away. Let your man work his way in not to fast just a lil at a time. Eventually it will start to feel good and your anal will open up and you and him will have some of the best sex you can have try it. It's great I've done it several times. Sometimes your man want a tight hole to put his penis in. Try it you'll love it you don't neccessary have to have a dessensitizer just let him go in and out slowly. Don't do it fast until he work it in for a while because if you do it will hurt then after he keeps going then it will get good and you can speed it up.
anal sex. IS AWESOME. Just make sure you take it slow in the beginning. And its always important that you trust who ever is doing it to you. Also men please keep in mind that you can cause an anal prolapse by complete carelessness. Its a great experience, but you don't want to ruin it for the rest of some poor girls/guys life! =) I didn't like it at first, but when i met the right guy and felt safe. It became interesting to me.
My boyfriend and I have had anal a few times, and at first I was interested but afraid. A little because of the dirtiness of it and a little because of the pain. He was great. I actually thin he read a posting on craigslist on how to get your girl to do it and it helped a lot. He started with his fingers while he was giving me oral, which is amazing! Then he used a vibrator in my ass while giving me oral, so I would get used to something bigger. He used lube or my juices (I don't remember). The we had vaginal sex and he was still using the vibrator on my ass. He asked if it was okay to try it himself, and by that time I couldn't wait. I wasn't tense because he loosened me up a lot and the pain was just a little bit of pressure right at the begining. He went really slow until I get used to it and I used (a different/clean) vibrator on my clit. Amazing! I highly recommend it if both parties are into it and if it's a slow, careful process. Also, he loves anal penetration with my finger or a vibrator. We haven't done the strap-on thing yet, but one day we probably will.
Anal sex IS, quite simply, AMAZING or can be providing your partner really knows what they are doing and is patient and caring and loving and yes with the use of an appropriate quantity of lube!
My lover and I have anal sex frequently, in fact it's his preference but I have to admit .. it's mine too now. Don't get me wrong I love good old fashioned vaginal sex too but well ummmmm I actually get "annoyed" if anal sex is not incorporated into our loving!
We've experimented in every conceivable position but our preference is missionary with my legs in the air (god I love that because I can masturbate and watch him simultaneously).
It's true there's a fine line between pleasure and pain! The trick is to learn to relax, not tense up .. pain can actually be enjoyable .. ONCE you learn to breath through it .. perhaps masturbate during the "pain" of initial penetration (get past the head and it's plain sailing from there!) ... trust me, the pain dissolves into pure unadulterated pleasure IF you allow it and the resulting orgasms have to be experienced to be believed!
I'm extremely fortunate in that my lover is a sexual maestro, a magician who takes ultimate pleasure in giving me extreme pure pleasure .. sure he gets it too, we both do, but for him, giving me orgasm after orgasm drives him nuts, then when I beg I can come no more, he changes position or what he's doing and I'm off again, it's nothing for me to have 50 orgasms in a day, gspot orgasms, vaginal orgasms, I can come without being touched, from his words alone, from him frantically kissing and licking my ear, or kissing my clitoris rhythmically, from a damn good spanking, just from screaming AND from the most delicious anal sex imaginable!
Don't discount anything you haven't tried, especially if it's only a perceived taboo that's holding you back! You might just be missing out on the biggest orgasms of your life!
Try it, I dare you!
Anal sex is like a beautiful dance between two partners ... done properly, there is no greater thrill in the bedroom, in my opinion. For men, the sensation feels so good it's surreal, and for women, one partner in particular told me that the orgasms she experienced were unbelievable -- and this was someone who was very skeptical about it at first, but was actually disappointed later if I didn't feel like doing it. I would only do it with someone I trusted, who made me feel comfortable. That goes for guys, too ... nothing's worse than trying to do it with someone who's so nervous it kills the experience. It's like trying to tango with someone who has two left feet. It doesn't work. This is all about being on the same page with someone, communicating, taking your time, trusting your partner, producing and experiencing a high together, and enjoying the hell out of it together. If that's not intimacy, then what is?
I am 48 and male and have always had anal sex and like it. It doesn't hurt if lubed well and it is so good for the prostate. I live in Canberra Australia - pantecnican@hotmail.com

Someone wrote: Anal sex is only a satisfying experience for the male. The clitoris of a woman is close to the vagina not to her azz. There is no sensation a woman ever feels having anal sex.
My response: With all due respect, you either don't know what you're doing, or you are horribly misinformed.
Don't take my word for it -- listen to a PhD and licensed sex therapist. Read "She Comes First" by lan Kerner (ladies, an invaluable book for your mate) and you will learn that the anus is actually connected to the clitoris via nerve tissue.
Or you can take my word for it when I assure you that you are most certainly WRONG when you assert that a lady feels nothing from anal sex, done properly. Very wrong.
They wrote: Anal sex is dangerous because of the matter you carry in your intestines and the tears you get in the mucosa.
My response: I'm not sure the Centers for Disease Control would agree with you, nor have I ever had a partner complain of this. Do you have medical literature to prove this, or is it simply conjecture on your part?
What does make anal sex risky, however, is that it is an efficient method of transmitting STDs during unprotected sex. So if you plan to embark on this adventure, make sure it's with someone whose sexual history you know and trust!
That shouldn't scare you away from having a wonderful experience with the right person. It should encourage you to be safe, and have fun.
They wrote: Any woman who falls for this and will give anal sex to satisfy her lover is a slave and will wind up eventually in a divorce for two reasons. The man doesn’t care about her needs, and will try to find his pervetial desire outside the home also. Fact. Anal sex has nothing to do with love.
My response: Really?
Read my earlier post of Jan 19. Does it sound like I would share anal sex with someone I didn't care about? In fact, I've never done this with someone I wasn't monogamous with at the time, so my own personal experience contradicts you.
As for what makes a woman a slave, you are not one to judge. You have a very constricted and narrow-minded view of what intimacy is, and I feel sorry for you. You're living in the 1540s. You've allowed misinformation to cloud your judgment. Hopefully, readers of your comments won't be discouraged from trying something beautiful because of the misinformation you have posted.
Anal sex is only a a satisfying experience for the male. The clitoris of a woman is close to the vagina not to her azz. There is no sensation a woman ever feels having anal sex. The only reason she does it to plaese her partner. Anal sex is dangerous because of the matter you carry in your intestines and the tears you get in the mucosa. Males advocate anal sex for selfish reasons. Any woman who falls for this and will give anal sex to satisfy her lover is a slave and will wind up eventually in a divorce for two reasons. The man doesn't care about her needs, and will try to find his pervetial desire outside the home also. Fact. Anal sex has nothing to do with love.
I still prefer oral and vaginal myself but anal is a fantastic alternative to spice things up from time to time.
A steady patient work up is what is needed. I would start with a finger while jilling her while she blows you (stimulating the clit when initially penetrating the anus should produce some very lovely sounds) and do that for over numerous occasions - in my experience that is far enough for most at first. Then I would suggest a slightly larger-than-finger toy... work your way up to it. I used a normal plastic dildo and beads to work her up to me but be prepared for initial failure when it comes to the real thing - patience, communication and fun are the keys.
Additionally, a dilo for her vagina while you are in her anus provides even more stimulation for both of you. You of course can proceed to mfm penetrations for even more pleasure and ultimately mfmm so that she can be totally filled.
Anyone willing to take the time and effort to more fully explore their sexuality with you in an open, honest and loving way is a sure keeper.
To the most recent Anonymous,
Just because a woman has butt sex doesn't make her a slave. I know some chicks that have tried it and they're not skanks. It's like saying that a guy who goes down on a chick is her slave. He's just doing what she likes.
My advice on this topic is simple... try it after sex in a spooning position. You'll both be very relaxed and that will make it easier. The first time my husband and I tried it was after we had sex. His penis was in that semi-hard semi-flacid stage and we used the natural lubrication from our sex session. There was a lot of pressure but no pain and when he got hard again he was already in.
I had anal sex for the first time with my husband who has done it with other women before me. He was very respectful and it was nice, but it felt weird and I didn't get any pleasure out of it except that he liked it. I was just wondering if we were to do it again would it feel better for me?
I am about to try anal sex again, I have only had it once before this, and I was so nervous that I couldn't get relaxed, and it hurt like hell. I am hoping that this time will be better. The man that I am doing it with again is the same person that I did it with before, but he was really rough, and he tells me that he won't be this time. I am alittle scared now but we'll see how things go.
I tried anal for the third time the other night. The first two times were a disaster because I rushed (I was really turned on), but this last time I took my time, started with my pinky finger, and went up from there. My new girlfriend, who I tried this with, loved it, and we are planning to do it again tonight. I have two pieces of advice...... TAKE YOUR TIME, AND USE A GOOD LUBE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Enjoy.
Hey Fasi,
What happened?! You were going to "train" a boyfriend of a good friend of yours-- How did it turn out? Inquiring minds...
I am still thinking about my last night's experience with my husband. He is a very sensitive person with lot of affection. I have speciall taste for anal sex. Only thinking about it turns me on. I had a discussion with a friend afew days ago. She had apainful experience because her boyfriend's dick is very big! And also he is a brutal person. She wants me to talk to her boyfriend and train her practically how to do anal sex. I have planned this session for next Sunday. I will tell you about it next week!
I am 85.... My husband is 79. He was born in Greece where most couples engage in anal sex before marriage so that the female can retain her "virginity"...Ari and I have been married for 15 years and he taught me about the joys of anal sex. I taught him a few things too. He has a prostate problem which makes it difficult to have intercourse so we improvise! We have sex twice a week He is the best sex partner I've ever had. Anal sex can be fantastic. People need to get rid of their hang-ups and relax and forget about all the puritanical nonsense.
Just a short note for the beginners.
1- For men: Don't be in a hurry! Just do it slowly. We do not like men who are not sensitive. Never copy the anal sex that happen at porn movies. These men are real animals and those poor girls should be paid lot of money to forget about the pain that they are enduring!
2- For women: Just try it you will enjoy it very much. A little advise: look at his penis, if it is too big, don
I hated anal because of a bad experience trying it a couple years ago, as I was anxious and worried about the pain. However, last night my current sexual partner and I had anal sex. To my surprise, it didn't hurt. I think it's because I was very relaxed, and we snuggled a lot beforehand. We did it in the spooning position and I felt cherished, almost like being made (vaginal) love to. It was almost- dare -I-say sweet? He hald me afterwards in the same position and was gentle- it wasn't bad. With the right partner I think it could even enhance intimacy. I feel even closer to him now.
This is meant for the person at the top.
"animals NEVER have anal sex!"
For your information SOME ANIMALS DO acutally enage in anal sex. Recent studies have shown that Dolphins, Chimpanzees, and even rats, are just a few that have been shown to engage in anal sex.
Besides, if it were so humiliating then why would we even be given the choice to do it?
I find anal sex to be quite enjoyable although I am gay I can quite say that for even heterosexuals it must be reasonable if they are trying it out.
Empowered by the courage you've shown by addressing this taboo topic. Sexuality is an evolving personal process in each of our lives. We were created sexual beings. We are sexual! Clearly the anus provides arousal when touched, stroked or prodded for that matter, in just the right way. Mind blowing orgasms have been experienced and realized by men and woman alike. It is very much apart of the sex act for some and because we evolve as we age, will likely be or could be apart of our sex act someday. Your mature approach to discuss the topic is truly refreshing, inspiring and REAL. Just because it is taboo and not discussed openly... does not mean it isn't happening!!! Kudos to the author and to TANGO.
It is about time! I am glad to see that someone is ready to admit and anal sex can be not only pleasurable, but that it can foster greater intimacy between couples. Some of my most memorable and powerful orgasms have taken place during anal sex.
Some of the other comments about anal sex being dirty or inherantly abussive are unfounded. No one should ever let their partner subject them to a sex act that they find painful or humiliating--be it anal sex, oral sex or a variety of games. If its not for you, then abstain and let the rest of us enjoy.

when talking about lube... alot of products are out there to "ease discomfort" during anal sex. Be very cautious when using these products. Most contain a topical numbing agent that keeps you from feeling any pain. Pain is your bodies way of telling you something is just not right.
Always use just the waterbased lubes... astroglide revelation licky lube are all very good products that do not dry up giving the user all the play time they want.

I just appreciate the openness and willingness to begin a dialog about this for monogomous couples which signifigantly lowers the rate of STIs (I, too, am a former sex ed teacher, and the correct term is Sexually Transmitted Infections, not Diseases, as Herpes, HPV, HIV, Chlamydia, etc are infections and not diseases).
Because the anus is more easily injured than the vagina (I like your porcupine analogy but would apply it towards what is made for going in and out of) it is true that those who practice anal sex have a higher rate of sexually transmitted infection. However, decreasing the likelyhood of a n injury through the use of lube, wearing condoms and being in a long-term monogomous relationship (our society defines this as 10 years or longer) reduces the risk to being the same as if it were vaginal with the same variables.
Certainly, anyone interested in anal should do research themselves, but I appreciate the article to get the discussion going.
Anal sex can cause an infection of the epididymis. The epididymis is a long, tightly coiled tube that lies above and behind each testicle. It collects and stores maturing sperm made by the testicles prior to ejaculation. Inflammation and infection of the epididymis is called epididymitis.
What causes epididymitis?
The causes of epididymitis vary depending on your age and behavior. In young, sexually active men it is often associated with sexually transmitted disease and in older men with enlargement of the prostate gland. Bacterial infections, possibly spread from the rectal area or following a urological procedure, also may cause epididymitis.
My boyfriend and I enjoy anal sex. i just wish he'd be more open to recieving anal play.

As a health teacher and a person who has done research, I am concerned about the fact that you don't mention the diseases that are spread that many doctors don't tell you about, but treat daily. They do tremendous damage, along with the diseases, the tearing and scarring that occurs even though lubrication is applied many times may be an unspoken terror to the reciever only to pretend to be satisfied so that their partner is satisfied. No person should have to hate the fact that her man treats her to pain for his gain of pleasure, and may not be pleased in a more pleasurable way to her in the future if she allows it to happen that way. A healthy relationship is one that is caring to both partners in their safety and comfort. Encouraging this behavior does not encourage healthy relationships or healthy bodies. Research it for yourself about the damages and sometimes even unnoticable tears that result in long term physical problems, and then decide for yourself if the risks really are worth someone's temporary thrill.
Anal tears & Hemorrhoids should be eliminated by enough lubricant and slow careful entry. Other lesions such as venereal warts (Condoloma Accuminata), Herpes Lesions Type I & II, Probably Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Viral Hepatitis type C (Hep C at the very least), Genital Lice (Scabies), the usual Bacterial venereal diseases such as Gonorrhea (Clap, GC, etc.), Spirochetes (Syphilis), Flagellates (Trichomonas).
Know Your Partner.........................................................................Well!
While male anal sex is not for everyone it is worth it for the adventuresome.