Anal Sex and STIs

With anal sex, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a much bigger worry than pregnancy. In addition, getting sexually transmitted infections and HIV is even higher with anal sex than vaginal sex. The rectum lining is thin and can easily tear, allowing the disease to get into your body.

When you and your partner decide to engage in anal sex, always use a condom every time. Because there is less lubrication in anal sex, condoms are more likely to break than vaginal sex, so much water-based lubricating gel should be used.

Even if your boyfriend thinks he is STI free, he may not be. Most people can have STIs without knowing it. Even if they do not have symptoms themselves, they can still pass STIs on to their sexual partner.

You are protecting yourself with a condom whenever you have any type of sex, vaginal, oral, or anal. It is also good to test for STIs at least once a year and whenever you have a new partner.