Talking About the Taboo: Anilingus
Tori Douglas on Mar 19th 2021
Many of us are drawn to the taboo when it comes to sex. It has been that way since we as a species began having sex purely for pleasure. While it is becoming more talked about in our current culture, anilingus, also known as rimming or simply eating ass, is still relatively taboo. Rimming is the act of stimulating the anus of your partner with your mouth and tongue. The anus has a wealth of nerve endings, making it a sensitive erogenous zone, and it can be quite pleasurable for both the giver and the recipient. Beyond the taboo nature of the act, there are issues of safe sex to consider.
There are inherent risks with exposure to the anus. Anilingus can absolutely be done safely with some general precautions. First off, any exposure to the genital or rectal areas can risk exposure to STI's. Getting yourself and your partner tested at the start of a new relationship is always a good practice. The anus is also prone to bacterial infection due to exposure to feces. Be sure to thoroughly wash the area before sex and if possible use a condom or dental dam as a barrier method. Some people also take the step of an enema before getting down to business. This can ensure there is no danger of exposure to feces during the act of rimming. Anxiety around feces is often a mental barrier and the extra cleanliness can give a sense of confidence. Be sure the giver has no mouth sores or cuts and the recipient has no anal sores or cuts before proceeding. Even microscopic cuts or tears in the mouth from tooth brushing or eating crunchy food can raise your risk of infection.
Just like with penetrative sex, you should avoid going directly from the anus to the genitals. Especially with oral copulation, bacteria can be transferred to the urethra and cause urinary tract infection and irritation. It is always important to keep the genital area and the anus from cross contamination during sexual acts. In the case of going from the anus to the vagina, it can disrupt the delicate balance of good bacteria and cause infection as well.
Being comfortable, both as the giver and the recipient of anilingus is important for enjoyment. As the recipient, it can make you anxious that you are not clean enough "down there" or you might worry you will pass gas during the act. Being able to relax and fully enjoy this sex act will go a long way to gaining the full pleasure of it. So, before you let your partner go there, take a nice hot shower or a long bath and try to relax. This will help to put both you and your partner at ease about rimming. Again, the use of a barrier method like a split condom or a dental dam ( which provide a thin physical barrier) can alleviate this concern, allowing you to fully relax and enjoy the experience.
Be sure to start slow. The many nerve endings in and around the anus make it one of the most sensitive areas of the body. Going in too rough or fast could be painful or even damage the sensitive tissue in that area.