# Anal sex poll **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 24, 2002, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-sex-poll/138447 "2002-11-24T04:24:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![reprise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ea666f/32.png) [@reprise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/reprise)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2002, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-sex-poll/138447/61 "2002-11-26T00:31:46Z")
> [@](#): > > How is this possible? Yes, obviously people wipe, and take showers, and all that, but you’re going pretty deep in there! Wiping and washing cleans the outside, but you’re going inside!!! The reason I ask is because I would have no qualms at all about engaging in this practice if it weren’t for the danger of coming in contact with fecal matter. Ever heard of a condom? And lube - lots and lots and LOTS of lube. ---
**Author:** ![Avalonian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@Avalonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avalonian)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2002, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-sex-poll/138447/62 "2002-11-26T00:50:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by His4ever \* > \*\*I suggest you consult a physician or anatomist as to the design of the rectum and anus. If the butt is for sex, what do women need a vagina for? \*\* I think the point is (correct me of I’m wrong here, people) that there are an awful lot of things the weren’t necessarily “designed” for the sexual act that can be fun to play with anyway. On a female, the vagina serves many functions, including allowing for the sexual act as well as serving as a path for a baby from the uterus to the outside world. It serves as both entrance AND exit. Can you prove that the anus doesn’t serve similarly? How about the mouth? Breasts? Hands? Do parts of the anatomy only serve one function, or can they serve many? I’m sorry you had a bad experience with anal sex, **His4Ever** , but be aware that it _was_ a bad experience. For a couple who enjoys anal sex together, it can be a loving, intimate, even fun experience. As they say… YMMV. So does everyone else’s. ---
**Author:** ![kimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f0a364/32.png) [@kimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kimera)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2002, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-sex-poll/138447/63 "2002-11-26T01:02:41Z")
I think a good majority of people’s fear of anal sex comes from their fear of homosexuals. I know several guys who refuse admit how much they enjoy having their butts played with because they are afraid it will make them sound “gay”. Silly people, it only makes you bisexual. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Witch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/258eb7/32.png) [@Witch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Witch)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2002, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-sex-poll/138447/64 "2002-11-26T01:42:08Z")
I’m still chuckling over the fact that there’s a product called “Anal Eaze”. Why is it all I can think of is Dan Ackroyd’s Bass-O-Matic sketch from SNL? I almost envy all you gals that are into it. I feel quite the prude. Just the thought makes me squirm in my chair. Ow. And yes, I’ve given it a go, and yes, I’ve been trying to repress it ever since. Ow ow. ---
**Author:** ![Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2002, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-sex-poll/138447/65 "2002-11-26T06:26:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by His4ever \* > \*\*I suggest you consult a physician or anatomist as to the design of the rectum and anus. If the butt is for sex, what do women need a vagina for? \*\* When you make the statement, you are responsible to back it up or retract it. I am not going to do your work for you. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Lao](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2bfe46/32.png) [@Dr.Lao](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Lao)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2002, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-sex-poll/138447/66 "2002-11-26T07:21:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Shodan \* > \*\*I don’t see the point in (heterosexual) anal intercourse. There is that perfectly good other opening just a little ways away. \*\* The point is that it is different. You probably could live on bread and water, so why do people go to so much trouble to prepare all sorts of different kinds of foods? Variety is the spice of life. Not everyone enjoys anal sex. But some do. And if a couple does enjoy it, why not do occasionally? I don’t think “you could just have vaginal sex” suffices as a reason. ---
**Author:** ![Sue\_Duhnym](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@Sue\_Duhnym](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sue_Duhnym)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2002, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-sex-poll/138447/67 "2002-11-26T11:21:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kiki \* > My best advice is to invest in some Anal Eaze and use lots of it! Wait a couple of minutes after applying it before he/she dives in. It helps you relax and has a little numbing stuff in it that eases the uncomfortable entry. What she doesn’t tell you is that it numbs other, more important things by default. You gotta use a condom if you’re going to toy with the Anal Eze. (I bet there are guys out there that could benefit from a little Eze without the Anal.) > [@](#): > > I’m afraid I’ve said too much. 😛 Ack! Me too! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![lynn73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@lynn73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lynn73)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2002, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-sex-poll/138447/68 "2002-11-26T13:27:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Avalonian \* > \*\* > > I’m sorry you had a bad experience with anal sex, **His4Ever** , but be aware that it _was_ a bad experience. For a couple who enjoys anal sex together, it can be a loving, intimate, even fun experience. As they say… YMMV. So does everyone else’s. \*\* You may be right, I don’t know that there’s anything wrong with it between a consenting husband and wife. It’s just not for me cos I’m not into pain. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2002, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-sex-poll/138447/69 "2002-11-26T18:05:05Z")
It doesn’t have to be painful, **His4Ever** , if you use lots of lube and patience. Ideally, a good lover would start by giving you oral, then slipping his tongue down below to loosen you up. Then, apply lube with a couple of fingers and gently start to explore. After a bit of playful fingering, apply more lube and off you go! You just need to take each step slwly and carefully. I assure you that with the right person, anal sex can be gloriously fulfilling, albeit I suspect it is more so for men than for women, both giving and receiving. ---
**Author:** ![Genseric](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Genseric](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Genseric)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2002, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-sex-poll/138447/70 "2002-11-26T23:10:56Z")
Hetero guy here. I’ve never done it, and I’ve never had any overpowering desire to do it, maybe sort of a vague curiosity only. I’d probably do it if my partner specifically requested it, but otherwise I think I could go my entire life without it and not really mind. You asked. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2002, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-sex-poll/138447/71 "2002-11-26T23:42:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dr. Lao \* > \*\*Not everyone enjoys anal sex. But some do. And if a couple does enjoy it, why not do occasionally? I don’t think “you could just have vaginal sex” suffices as a reason. \*\* Oh, I’m not insisting on anything for anyone else. Nobody has to give their reasons for riding the Hershey Highway to me. _De gustibus non disputandum_, here as everwhere else. YMMV, IANAL, BYOB, LS/MFT. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![kirk280980](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c77e96/32.png) [@kirk280980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kirk280980)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2002, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-sex-poll/138447/72 "2002-11-27T01:53:50Z")
Given, received, love it either way. First of all, with regard to the possibility of finding buried treasure up there, that’s not something I’ve ever encountered. If you go to the toilet shortly beforehand and take a shower (paying plenty of attention to your backside, naturally), chances are you’ll stay as clean as a whistle. From what I’ve observed, the rectum has am amazing ability to shed itself of any residues. Of course, if you go to the toilet but still feel as though you’re not quite “done”, then you’re probably better off trying some other time instead. You need to feel completely empty once you step off the potty, otherwise you’re probably setting yourself up for some icky results. Plenty of lube is essential; too much is almost enough, as they say, and you want to choose one which has plenty of staying power and doesn’t dry up too quickly. That’s no substitute for being relaxed and REALLY wanting to receive, though. If the mind isn’t willing, the body will not play along, no matter how much you try to persevere with it. It’s definitely something you have to be in the right frame of mind for. Finally, the receiving partner has to call the shots. If they tell you to slow down, stop or pull out, DO IT. Don’t just sink it in harder and faster anyway, because you’re getting your rocks off. When it’s done right, the sensation is fantastic for both partners. Done wrong, it’s bloody miserable and usually results in the mission being called off early. ---
**Author:** ![Silentgoldfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@Silentgoldfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silentgoldfish)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2002, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-sex-poll/138447/73 "2002-11-27T03:28:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ava \* > \*\*I think a good majority of people’s fear of anal sex comes from their fear of homosexuals. I know several guys who refuse admit how much they enjoy having their butts played with because they are afraid it will make them sound “gay”. > > Silly people, it only makes you bisexual. 😛 \*\* Mmmmmm… nah. I just have too much fear of what can go wrong to want to try it. ---
**Author:** ![amazonian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f08c70/32.png) [@amazonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amazonian)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2002, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-sex-poll/138447/74 "2002-11-27T06:01:32Z")
Hmmmm… that’s where my crap comes out, and genitals are far too precious and life giving to go in an exit. never done it, never will, I think it’s gross, and I say, why go for the silver (anus) when you can go for the gold (you know). The pleasure is 100x greater when you hit the target, so save yourself the time, pain and trouble, unless you are a masochist…get help. I say you don’t respect yourself if you do it, that’s just my opinion, don’t like it? deal with it. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Lao](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2bfe46/32.png) [@Dr.Lao](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Lao)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2002, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-sex-poll/138447/75 "2002-11-27T07:12:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Shodan \* > **Oh, I’m not insisting on anything for anyone else. Nobody has to give their reasons for riding the Hershey Highway to me.** Well, you said you had trouble with the point of anal sex for a heterosexual couple because you said there was another perfectly good opening right there. I imagine that most heterosexual couples who enjoy anal sex are well aware of the other opening, and enjoy it often as well. Anal sex is just something different. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Blunty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@Captain\_Blunty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Blunty)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2002, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-sex-poll/138447/76 "2002-11-27T07:49:09Z")
If I were a guy I’d be too afraid to stick it in someone’'s bum. What if you pulled out and there was a great big dirty glob of poo on the end? Can that happen? And I also heard that it can sometimes act like an enema and you can’'t stop yourself crapping when they pull out. Eww yuk. As for my experience, tried it a few times, but was always too worried about the mess factor to really enjoy and for it to really, um, work I guess. And my partner won’t let me anywhere near his back door! ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2002, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-sex-poll/138447/77 "2002-11-27T13:47:28Z")
Tried it years ago when I was young and adventerous. It wasn’t painful because he went verrrrrry slowly, but it was kind of awkward and neither of us ever quite made it to completion. And since it’s meant to be a dessert and never an appetizer he ended up all worked up with nowhere to go. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2002, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-sex-poll/138447/78 "2002-11-27T15:58:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dr. Lao \* > \*\*Well, you said you had trouble with the point of anal sex for a heterosexual couple because you said there was another perfectly good opening right there. I imagine that most heterosexual couples who enjoy anal sex are well aware of the other opening, and enjoy it often as well. Anal sex is just something different. \*\* I have trouble for me (and Mrs. **Shodan** ) with the point. None of my concern what other people do. The OP asked, I answered. But if you are going to alternate openings, probably washing in between might be a good idea. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2002, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-sex-poll/138447/79 "2002-11-27T16:09:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by amazonian \* > \*\*Hmmmm… > that’s where my crap comes out, and genitals are far too precious and life giving to go in an exit. never done it, never will, I think it’s gross, and I say, why go for the silver (anus) when you can go for the gold (you know). The pleasure is 100x greater when you hit the target, so save yourself the time, pain and trouble, unless you are a masochist…get help. > > I say you don’t respect yourself if you do it, that’s just my opinion, don’t like it? deal with it. \*\* Allow me to be the first to say: Welcome to boards. It’s going to get warmer. ---
**Author:** ![thinksnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thinksnow/32/2849_2.png) [@thinksnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thinksnow)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2002, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-sex-poll/138447/80 "2002-11-27T16:49:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*\* Y.T \*\* > Why didn’t you ask if females had enjoyed giving anal sex? > > Strap-ons exist for many reasons, fairs fair after all. Sure, the asker of this has been banned, but how could I pass up the chance to link to this:[You want to stick that thing WHERE?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=15773) To address the OP: I’ve given a few times, on the balance, more often, really, the woman I’m with is willing to try but no amount of lube and patience gets her to the place where she can relax enough for me to enter more than just the tip. C’est le vie. In the interest of full disclosure, I don’t mind the occasional finger from my girlfriend- tickling and whatnot really adds to regular oral sex, IMO. One of the interesting things I’ve noticed in this thread is that the people saying the worst things about anal sex are the ones who’ve never tried it- it’s dirty, you’ll get poo on your schlong, it’s unenjoyable, etc., etc. while those that have tried it offer, for the most part, a different POV. Sure, some of the participant have said it hurt too much to try again and others have said it’s just not something they found to be their thing, but again, the most strident opponents seem to be those that have no idea WTF they are talking about. Go figure. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-sex-poll/138447.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-sex-poll/138447.md?page=5)