Awareness

Like with most sexual activities, it’s important to be aware of your body and pay attention to how it is feeling. 

Relaxation

With any anal play, it is essential to be relaxed.  Pain is usually caused because the muscles are too tight around and in the arse.  Relaxing the anal muscles doesn’t come easily for everybody, but it is possible to learn how to be more relaxed.

No Pain Ever

This is an important truth about anal sex: It should not hurt!  There is a common myth that a little bit of pain in anal sex is perfectly normal.  It may be common, but it is not healthy.  Pain is your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong.  If you ignore the pain and keep doing with what you’re doing, you can cause damage.  If it hurts, just stop, take a moment to relax, then try again. 

See Your Doctor

If anything goes wrong with your arse, see your doctor immediately.  This includes bowel issues such as constipation and diarrhoea, haemorrhoids, anal STIs, bleeding or irritation. 

Use Enough Lube

A very common mistake gay men make is not using enough lube.  Basically, you can never use too much lube.  Also try out different kinds of lube to find the one that you like best.

More info

ACON runs workshops with gay men that cover sexual difficulties and how to solve them. The Arse Class focuses on anal health and pleasure, and The Better Sex Workshop focuses on sexual techniques. 

Contact: ACON Peer Education

Tel: (02) 9206 2000
Free Call: 1800 063 060

Email: groups@acon.org.au