How to Prepare for Anal Sex

Anal sex is moving from its former status as taboo and into the realm of acceptable, showing up in bedrooms all over America. Data from the 2011-2013 National Survey of Family Growth: Sexual Behavior, Sexual Attraction and Sexual Orientation Among Adults Aged 18-44 in the U.S. indicates that 35.9 percent of women and 42.3 percent of men have had anal sex.

If anal sex is something you’ve thought about, you’re obviously not alone in your sexual curiosity, but you may be confused about where to start. Like the first time you do anything, elements of fear of failure threaten to spoil the expected thrills ahead. The answer is, of course, in preparation.

Food for thought

This may seem like an obvious scenario, but you might be surprised to discover how many potentially sultry nights have gone awry because somebody felt the need for an extra slice of pizza.

You have to take anal sex seriously, and you have to plan ahead. If you are anticipating having anal sex later in the day, be mindful of your stomach, and what you put in it. Without wishing to offend anyone, please bear in mind whatever you ingest will eventually come out.

And I’m just going to say it, in case you missed this valuable lesson in childhood: Everybody poops!

My initial advice would be to avoid dairy and fried foods at all costs, and eat sugar, red meat and coffee as little as possible. Indeed, steer clear of anything else you know is guaranteed to upset your stomach. Trust me, a day of ice water and salad is worth it for a night of fun.

Bottom line: Diet is one of the most important factors in preparing to receive anal sex later in the day. So if you’ve just polished off your third taco and are contemplating a fourth, simply relax and enjoy your meal, close your eyes and imagine all the fabulous things you can do instead of anal sex.

Supplements

Supplements are not required for a fulfilling anal experience. However, if you are engaging in anal sex frequently or would like to have the option to receive anal sex almost anytime, then this solution may be for you.

I have a friend who swears by Imodium, an anti-diarrhea medication that contains loperamide hydrochloride. He ingests it a few hours before engaging in anal sex, because it slows the digestion process and delays the time it takes to pass a bowel movement. Really, it’s just extra insurance if you plan on a particularly vigorous or lengthy sexual escapade.

Fiber supplements, particularly brands such as Pure for Men and Pure for Her, provide exactly the opposite effect. Laxatives encourage thorough bowel movements that will leave your rectum in a surprisingly tidy condition.

These supplements can be taken daily, and they may offer additional benefits, including weight loss, lower cholesterol and hangover prevention. Of course, when you are looking to integrate any medication or supplement into your daily regimen, it is important to consult with your physician about options that might be best for you.

Douching and enemas

While diet and supplements are good practices, the best action to take to prepare for anal sex is douching. While this can seem like an arduous task, douching is a perfectly normal and expected element of anal sex, and frankly, it provides the cleanest result. In fact, one recent review showed that as many as 88 percent of men who receive anal sex carry out some form of anal douching.

You can find out more about the proper technique and applications available, just know that you have many options. My advice would be that if you’re engaging in a one-time sexual encounter, then a Fleet enema from the drugstore will do just fine. But if anal sex preparation is going to be a regular part of your lifestyle, I recommend purchasing a reusable douche bulb from a sex store.

Whether it’s spontaneous or you have been anticipating it all day, anal sex should be enjoyable and comfortable, and preparing ahead of time can make that happen. However much you prepare though, accidents happen, and when they do it is important to be respectful and not pass judgment on your partner.