You’ve tried new positions, toys, and fantasies in the bedroom. Now you’re wondering, what’s next? Explore a sexual awakening with analingus. Using one’s mouth to stimulate the anus can be a very pleasurable experience if done right. As with any sexual activity, there are some things to consider before getting started. First, discuss your desired sexual activities with your partner. Sexual communication is the key to having enjoyable and pleasurable experiences. Once you and your partner agree to try it, here are a few dos and don’ts when it comes to analingus.

Consent

Do – Give your partner consent or ask for consent before engaging in analingus.

Don’t – Assume and just move your mouth to the anal area when engaging in fellatio or cunnilingus.

Hygiene

Do – Practice proper hygiene. For example, if you feel you need to have a bowel movement, go ahead and get that out of the way before bathing or showering. Be sure your hands and mouths are clean. For additional safety, use a dental dam (thin sheet of latex that can be used to cover the anus during oral sex).

Don’t – Use lotions or perfume on hands because the ingredients may irritate the anal area. You also don’t want to brush your teeth or floss right before. This can cause small tears in the mouth, which can make it easier to spread sexually transmitted infections (yes, you can get these in your mouth) or] lead to other infections of the mouth.

Comfort

Do – Relax. If you are tense or anxious, the experience may not be as pleasurable as you’d like. So take your time, find a comfortable position, and take some deep breaths.

Don’t – Have your partner rush through it. Just like fellatio and cunnilingus, the more attentive your partner is to you, the more aroused you’ll become. Also, keep in mind, the anus does not self-lubricate, so try adding a flavored lubricant to the mix.

Strategy

Do – Go front to back, especially if you have a vulva and vagina. This is important when receiving cunnilingus and analingus in the same experience or engaging in any form of stimulation that involves both the vagina and anus.

Don’t – Go back and forth. This can increase the chances of passing bacteria from the anus to the vagina, which can cause irritation or infection.

Try these tips and if you enjoy the pleasure, discuss other things you may want to try. Some people stick to analingus, others engage in anal play and anal intercourse. The choice is yours. Remember, always get (or give) consent before engaging in sexual activities and communicate with your partner throughout to enhance your experiences.

Ashley Townes

Ashley Townes

PhD, MPH, Sexual Health Researcher
Dr. Ashley Townes (she/her/hers), is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. She attended Walnut Hills High School and the University of Cincinnati, where she received both her Bachelors and Master of Public Health degrees. She received her doctorate degree in Health Behavior and Epidemiology from Indiana University.

Dr. Townes has experience working as a Community Health Educator and Disease Intervention Specialist in Cincinnati and the surrounding areas. She has worked on several initiatives related to the dissemination of national HIV prevention and care campaign materials tailored for African Americans, Hispanic/Latinx, and transgender women of color. Dr. Townes has taught collegiate-level Human Sexuality courses, served as an Epidemiologist at the Ohio Department of Health, and currently works as a sexual health researcher in Atlanta, GA.

Ashley’s research background includes work on the sexual experiences of African American/Black women accessing health information and utilizing sexual health services. In 2018, she received grant funding from the Patty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health to translate sexual health research data into educational materials. Her career interests are aimed at providing quality sexual education and working towards health equity.