Anal sex

Anal sex or anal intercourse is generally the insertion and <a href="/facts/Pelvic_thrusting/bHLmdymx">thrusting</a> of the <a href="/facts/Erection/4vSHr1tU">erect</a> <a href="/facts/Human_penis/shzvo9ML">penis</a> into a person's <a href="/facts/Human_anus/PGkvVMYT">anus</a>, or anus and <a href="/facts/Rectum/caqqyk2e">rectum</a>, for sexual pleasure. Other forms of anal sex include <a href="/facts/Fingering_(sexual_act)/yhmXY4QI">anal fingering</a>, the use of <a href="/facts/Sex_toy/F3xHd3QQ">sex toys</a>, <a href="/facts/Anilingus/A0U5NbWp">anilingus</a>, and <a href="/facts/Pegging_(sexual_practice)/jznQP5F7">pegging</a>. Although anal sex most commonly means penile–anal penetration, sources sometimes use anal intercourse to exclusively denote penile–anal penetration, and anal sex to denote any form of anal <a href="/facts/Human_sexual_activity/jNYgvpq4">sexual activity</a>, especially between pairings as opposed to <a href="/facts/Anal_masturbation/nHETjB8N">anal masturbation</a>.
While anal sex is commonly associated with male homosexuality, research shows that not all homosexual men engage in anal sex and that it is not uncommon in heterosexual relationships. Types of anal sex can also be a part of <a href="/facts/Lesbian_sexual_practices/EDTP9ceU">lesbian sexual practices</a>. People may experience pleasure from anal sex by stimulation of the anal <a href="/facts/Nerve/q7GsAfYV">nerve</a> endings, and <a href="/facts/Orgasm/Dweqd5oI">orgasm</a> may be achieved through anal penetration – by indirect stimulation of the <a href="/facts/Prostate/mrBdSsf7">prostate</a> in men, indirect stimulation of the <a href="/facts/Clitoris/9EVTaabV">clitoris</a> or an area of the <a href="/facts/Vagina/ca5jsTwF">vagina</a> (sometimes called the <a href="/facts/G-spot/crvvMhTE">G-spot</a>) in women, and other <a href="/facts/Sensory_nerve/0JVWPqKP">sensory nerves</a> (especially the <a href="/facts/Pudendal_nerve/aovMHeQD">pudendal nerve</a>). However, people may also find anal sex painful, sometimes extremely so, which may be due to psychological factors in some cases.
As with most forms of sexual activity, anal sex can facilitate the spread of <a href="/facts/Sexually_transmitted_infections/IYL1rxdI">sexually transmitted infections</a> (STIs). Anal sex is considered a high-risk sexual practice because of the vulnerability of the anus and rectum. The anal and rectal tissue are delicate and do not, unlike the vagina, provide <a href="/facts/Vaginal_lubrication/hru6pfWj">lubrication</a>. They can easily tear and permit disease transmission, especially if a <a href="/facts/Personal_lubricant/2gdLFz5a">personal lubricant</a> is not used. Anal sex without protection of a <a href="/facts/Condom/A39P32AV">condom</a> is considered the riskiest form of sexual activity, and therefore health authorities such as the <a href="/facts/World_Health_Organization/YNN3bgug">World Health Organization</a> (WHO) recommend <a href="/facts/Safe_sex/X9N4rvqA">safe sex</a> practices for anal sex.
Strong views are often expressed about anal sex. It is controversial in various cultures, often because of <a href="/facts/Religion_and_homosexuality/D8grQGpb">religious prohibitions</a> against anal sex among males or teachings about the <a href="/facts/Human_reproduction/RUsmRxLv">procreative</a> purpose of sexual activity. It may be considered <a href="/facts/Taboo/3KuFszoI">taboo</a> or unnatural, and is a <a href="/facts/Sex_and_the_law/PuPKNTqX">criminal offense</a> in some countries, punishable by <a href="/facts/Corporal_punishment/3Fub5D16">corporal</a> or <a href="/facts/Capital_punishment/4pbmeUIb">capital punishment</a>. By contrast, anal sex may also be considered a natural and valid form of sexual activity as fulfilling as other desired sexual expressions, and can be an enhancing or primary element of a person's <a href="/facts/Sex_life/cB9YdHe9">sex life</a>.

Anal sex open-in-new

Anal sex