This study used qualitative methods to assess why women engage in heterosexual anal receptive intercourse AI with a male partner. Four focus groups which comprised women from diverse ethnicities were conducted. All groups were digitally recorded for transcription; transcripts were analyzed using the methods of grounded theory to determine themes. The riskiness of AI was assessed within relationship contexts. Past experience with AI including emotional and physical reactions was identified. Among the negative physical experiences of AI were pain and disliking the sensation, and uncomfortable side effects, such as bleeding of the rectum.
But Wait... Doesn't Anal Sex Hurt?
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As more couples explore this type of sex, understanding the risks, rewards, and proper strategy is important. According to the Centers for Disease Control CDC , anal sex is primarily growing in popularity with couples under age You might think of anal sex as anal penetration with a penis, but you have a few more options. Anal sex can also be performed with fingers or the tongue. Sex toys , like vibrators , dildos , and butt plugs , are used too. It just requires more planning, prep, and communication than some other forms of sexual activity. Safety during sex should be a top priority, but having fun is certainly important, too. Keep reading to learn more. The vagina is a bit of a natural wonder. When a woman is aroused, the vagina provides its own lubricant for sex.
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Anal intercourse is a highly efficient mode of HIV transmission. Nevertheless, there is evidence to suggest that anal intercourse is also widely practiced by women in the US 1 — 4. Given that anal intercourse is associated with higher rates of heterosexual HIV transmission than vaginal intercourse 10 — 13 , women who engage in unprotected anal intercourse with sexual partners of unknown or seropositive status may be at greater risk for acquiring HIV than women who do not practice anal intercourse or who use protection while doing so. Additionally, Halperin 1 found that women who engaged in anal intercourse were less likely to use condoms during anal intercourse than during vaginal intercourse. Most studies of heterosexual HIV transmission fail to distinguish between vaginal and anal intercourse in their assessments of coital acts, thus continuing to overlook anal intercourse as a potential source of HIV transmission. This oversight may be due to cultural taboos surrounding anal intercourse, including its association with homosexuality and its perceived lack of hygiene 1. A number of researchers have already pointed to the need for increased attention to anal intercourse as an understudied source of HIV transmission from seropositive men to their seronegative female partners 1 , 3 , 6 , A topic that has received even scarcer attention is the circumstances under which women engage in anal intercourse. Our qualitative study was part of a larger study on rectal microbicide acceptability among men who have sex with men MSM and women who practice anal intercourse. The present analysis comes from 28 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with women with a recent history of unprotected anal intercourse with an HIV-positive or status unknown partner.
Despite increasing pop culture coverage, anal sex is still heavily stigmatized. While this might be true for some women, assuming it goes for all women is completely unfair. Woman A: It honestly does hurt, be prepared, and use lots of lube if you want an easier time. Woman B: At times, it can be uncomfortable, but I don't recall that it ever really hurt.
