Can you get pregnant from anal sex?
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Follows NC° Editorial Policy
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Key Takeaways
- Technically, you can't get pregnant from the act of anal sex, but there is still a very low risk of pregnancy as semen can accidentally get into the vagina
- It's possible to contract sexually transmitted infections if you engage in unprotected anal sex
- Everyone can engage in anal sex and enjoy it, no matter their gender or sexual orientation — as with all types of sex, consent is important, and you should only do what feels good
This article is also available in Spanish
What is anal sex?
Anal sex is any sexual activity that involves the stimulation of the anus. When it comes to types of stimulation, it's not just penetration by the penis. It could be penetration with a finger or stimulation with the tongue, and there are lots of toys designed for anal pleasure. There are plenty of ways to explore this type of sex.
Pregnancy and anal sex
So, can you get pregnant from anal sex? The short answer is no. Anal sex on its own cannot cause pregnancy. However, if after or during anal sex, you engage in vaginal penetration and there are sperm cells on the fingers, toys, or the penis, then pregnancy is possible, even if the risk is low [2].
You can have anal sex and then vaginal sex immediately. However, you should practice safe sex to protect yourself and your partner. If you want to engage in vaginal penetration after anal sex, make sure you wash the penis, fingers or toys. Alternatively, consider changing the condoms in between.
Can you get STIs from anal sex?
Anal sex has the highest risk of spreading sexually transmitted infections (STIs) compared to other sexual activities like vaginal intercourse or oral sex [3]. The STIs and infections that you can contract during unprotected anal sex are:
- Chlamydia
- Genital herpes and wards
- Gonorrhea
- HIV
- Syphilis
- Hepatitis C
The reason for anal sex being so high risk for STIs is that the rectum lining is very thin and prone to micro-tears, which might lead to an increased risk of infection . Many people choose not to wear condoms during anal sex because there is no risk of pregnancy, which further increases the risk of contracting STIs.
Other anal sex risks
Aside from STIs, another anal sex risk you might want to be aware of are weakened anus muscles and incontinence [4]. The risk of your anus muscles becoming weak from anal sex is low, and most people who engage in safe and consensual anal sex have nothing to worry about.
To ensure your anus muscles are protected, always use plenty of lube during anal penetration — keeping things lubricated down there will protect the super-sensitive tissues from tearing and damage.
Another thing that can prevent and ensure your anal muscles are strong is doing Kegel exercises. These simple exercises are great for all genders and can strengthen your pelvic floor muscles as well as the sphincter muscles.
Tips to practice safe anal sex
Are you curious to explore anal sex, either by yourself or with a partner? With no prior experience, it can be daunting to explore new things. We have a few safe anal sex tips to help you get started, even if you're a total novice:
Pre-anal sex prep
How you choose to prepare for anal sex is up to you and your partner. Some people choose to douche. Douching is when you gently pump liquid into the anus to flush out any residue to make sure the anus is clean. It's totally up to you if you douche because it's not necessary.
If you do choose to douche, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. For one, douching is all about timing, and depending on when it's done, it may or may not make a difference. Another thing to keep in mind is that a healthy diet and lifestyle can also completely remove the need for douching.
We also want to point out that you should never douche the vagina. The vagina is self-cleaning, and it doesn't require our help to clean it. Choosing to use soap internally or douche can upset vaginal pH and cause irritation and infections such as vaginitis.
Use plenty of lube
During anal sex, using personal lubricants is essential, and lots more lube is usually needed compared to vaginal penetration because the anus doesn't have any natural lubrication. Natural, water-based personal lubricant is always the best option.
Be gentle and kind
Many people are hesitant to try anal sex because they think it'll be painful. While it's true that some people who try anal penetration will experience discomfort, especially in the beginning, anal sex should never feel painful. The anus is rich in nerves, which makes stimulating it incredibly pleasurable and, for the same reason, can cause discomfort.
Always try to be gentle and go slow. Taking your time, whether you're the receiving or giving partner, is important. No matter if you're doing this alone or with a partner, be patient and slowly build up the amount of penetration.
Remember not to push your limits. As with all sex, feeling relaxed and comfortable often makes for a more pleasurable experience. There is no right or wrong approach to anal sex or sex in general – if you decide to try something new, remember to be kind to yourself.
Communication is key
Communication around sex is very important, so remember to tell your partner what does and doesn't feel good during anal sex. Remember: it's OK to ask them to slow down or stop at any time. Sexual consent is important throughout intimacy, and it’s OK to change your mind about what you want to do. Having sex you don't enjoy can cause pain during sex and can impact our relationship with intimacy in the long run.
Anal sex complications
There are lots of products and drugs out there that claim to help with anal sex by numbing or relaxing the area, but use these with caution. Pain and discomfort can be your body's natural way of saying, "This isn't right for me right now," so try to listen to what you're feeling in your body instead of using numbing creams.
Sexually transmitted infections are easily passed on through anal sex, as the wall of the anus is thin. Using condoms is useful, both for keeping things clean and for protecting you and your partner from STIs at the same time.
If you do use condoms during anal sex and want to engage in anal and vaginal penetration, remember to switch the condoms in between. The transfer of bacteria from the anus to the vagina can cause infection. If you do forget to change condoms in the heat of the moment, keep an eye out for any discharge or discomfort, and contact your healthcare professional if you are worried.
Myths and misconceptions about anal sex
Anal sex has been controversial for years, if not decades. Naturally, there are many myths and misconceptions about it that many people still believe. Let's address some of the most popular anal sex myths and debunk them.
Myth: Anal sex is not "real" sex
Anal sex is "real" sex. While we often think of penetrative vaginal sex as being "real" sex, there are many types of sex, and they are not assigned to sexuality or gender. Anal sex is popular among all genders, sexualities, and identities and should be celebrated as one of the many types of sex. So, let's lose the stigma around it and appreciate what makes us feel good.
Myth: Anal sex is only for gay men
Many gay couples engage in anal sex, but not all. Some prefer different types of sex, like oral sex. 35.1% of women and 38.1% of men have tried anal sex with an opposite-sex partner [5]. Anal sex is not reserved for one sexual orientation or gender – it can be pleasurable for all genders, and anyone can engage in it.
Myth: Anal sex is not pleasurable for women
Many people still believe that anal sex can only be pleasurable for men because they have prostate, which is responsible for pleasure and orgasms during anal penetration. However, consensual and safe anal sex can bring a lot of pleasure and even orgasms for women, too – 40% of women report that they find anal surfacing (stimulation around the anus with a finger, tongue, or a toy) pleasurable and 35% of women find anal shallowing (penetrative stimulation with penis, finger or a toy) pleasurable. Around 30% of women who enjoy anal stimulation reported that it made their orgasms stronger [6].
Preventing pregnancy with Natural Cycles
At Natural Cycles, we're passionate about closing the knowledge gap when it comes to reproductive health, one topic at a time. Natural Cycles is a certified medical device that can be used to prevent pregnancy by finding your fertile window. You can either choose to abstain from vaginal sex or use condoms on days when pregnancy is possible.
A popular feature of the Natural Cycles app is our trackers. You can log how you feel throughout your cycle and track different types of sex, including oral, anal, and masturbation. Take control of your fertility, sex life, and more with Natural Cycles. Find out if it could work for you today.
- Lewis, R., Tanton, C., Mercer, C. H., Mitchell, K. R., Palmer, M., Macdowall, W., & Wellings, K. (2017). Heterosexual Practices Among Young People in Britain: Evidence From Three National Surveys of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles. The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 61(6), 694–702. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29169520/
- Website, N. (2024, May 20). Periods and fertility in the menstrual cycle. nhs.uk. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/periods/fertility-in-the-menstrual-cycle
- Website, N. (2024b, May 23). Sex activities and risk. nhs.uk. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/sex-activities-and-risk/
- Garros, A. Bourrely, M. Sagaon- Teyssier, L. Sow, A, Lydie, N. Duchesne, L Higuero, T. Damon, H. Velter, A. Abramowitz, L. (2021, October 10) Risk of Fecal Incontinence Following Receptive Anal Intercourse: Survey of 21,762 Men Who Have Sex With Men Journal of Sexual Medicine https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34645594/
- NSFG - Listing S - Key Statistics from the National Survey of Family Growth. (n.d.). https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nsfg/key_statistics/s-keystat.htm
- Hensel, D. J., von Hippel, C. D., Lapage, C. C., & Perkins, R. H. (2022). Women's techniques for pleasure from anal touch: Results from a U.S. probability sample of women ages 18-93. PloS one, 17(6), e0268785. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0268785
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