Anal Hygiene 101: The Before, During, & After of Anal Sex
Anal play is a lot of fun and wonderfully pleasurable but we at Betty’s understand that it can be intimidating if you don’t know where to start, particularly when it comes to hygiene. Watching porn can give you an unrealistic idea of how anal sex works and it’s important to keep in mind that those performers go through a lot of preparation before the cameras start rolling.
Let’s face it. Anal sex means you’re putting something in your bum and that means poop can happen. That’s why we have put together this simple, realistic and honest beginner’s guide to anal hygiene which will guide you through the before, during, and after to allow you the most comfortable and pleasurable experience possible.
BEFORE YOU GET STARTED
Have a bowel movement 30 – 60 minutes before you intend to play. This lessens the possibility of feces residue lurking closer to the rectum and anus. Feces is normally held deeper into the colon so it is usually only residue that you can encounter in those last 6-8 inches inside the rectum.
Shower thoroughly with gentle soap or use some hypoallergenic wipes to get squeaky clean.
Shaving or waxing is definitely a personal preference. Although feces can get caught in body hair, a thorough cleaning should do the trick.
An anal douche or enema is a good idea if you really don’t want any accidental poop sightings. Use warm water 1 – 2 hours before intercourse but don’t overdo it. Too much water (more than a couple of cups) will go higher into the bowels and create more of a mess.
DURING THE MAIN EVENT
Lay on a towel so that any mess can be easily cleaned up. We recommend the Liberator Throw for its soft surface, waterproof fabric and ease of cleaning.
Wear latex gloves for any fingering action. This ensures no fecal matter ends up under fingernails but also protects the receiving partner from accidental injuries caused by untrimmed nails.
Keep cleansing wipes by your bedside for cleaning up extra lube or anything else you may want to wipe.
Use a condom. STDs can still be spread through anal sex. Even if you don’t use a condom for penis in vagina sex, there is a risk of irritation or urinary tract infections if a penis is exposed to fecal matter.
DO NOT switch between anal and vaginal sex in one session without a complete clean up or switch of condoms first. Double dipping is a fast track to a vaginal infection.
THE AFTERGLOW
Use gentle wipes for cleaning up the tender rectal tissue or have a thorough shower. Epsom salt baths can also be wonderfully soothing on any sore muscles and tissues after anal sex. Use wipes to thoroughly clean your penis as well or wash up in the shower.
Thoroughly wash and disinfect any toys you used for anal play with antibacterial toy cleaner or hot, soapy water.
Farting will probably happen and that’s okay. The rectal muscles have been loosened during anal sex and any air that has been pushed into the rectum during sex is going to want to escape. That is completely normal.
You may be slightly sore the next day. The anal sphincter muscle is a tight muscle and even with lots of lube and preparation, your first foray into anal sex may leave it a bit tender. That will ease with practice (and did we mention lots of good lube.)
You may see a bit of blood in your stool the next time you poop. The tissue in the rectum is incredibly sensitive and micro tears can happen if you don’t use enough lube or if you have enthusiastic sex. A small amount of bright red blood is nothing to worry about but if it persists or is darker in color, consult your doctor.
Want to learn more about anal play? Check out Betty’s Beginners Guide to Pegging or Betty’s Top 10 Anal Play Toys