Interested in backdoor play? This is a must-read guide to keeping your things sanitary.
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Anal sex is cool now. Butts have gone mainstream, opening the minds (and cheeks) of heterosexual men to the prospect of prostate play.
“More and more men and women who identify as heterosexual engage in anal play on a regular basis,” says Evan Goldstein, MD, founder and CEO of Bespoke Surgical and Future Method, a sex care company for gay men. “Unfortunately, I think published data continues to underestimate how many heterosexual men and women enjoy anal because there’s still a lot of stigma around it.”
Related: How to Choose the Best Condom
As education and resources about healthy and safe anal sex have increased, hasty judgments about people who want to put objects in or near their buttocks have slowly disappeared. “I think people are becoming more comfortable with their sexuality and exploring what they like in the bedroom,” Goldstein says. “Every man, gay or straight, should embrace his P-spot. “There are so many nerve endings in the buttocks that when the prostate is stimulated properly, this combination can provide a much more intense orgasm than a penile orgasm.”
According to Goldstein, most people are still afraid to try anal sex because of the preconceived notion that it will be painful. “If done correctly, that shouldn’t happen,” he says. Some people think it will be messy, but he also labels it a “myth” if you take proper steps before starting. And along with that preparation comes washing.
What is douching? Well, with data highlighting a clear interest in anal play among men of all sexual identities and orientations, Goldstein offers lessons on douching when necessary before anal sex and how to do it in the safest way possible. I'm here to teach.
Should you douche before anal sex?
Douching is spraying or cleaning with water. In this case, douching before anal sex would be an opportunity to feel “ready” before something is inserted into your body. But is douching really necessary before having anal sex?
Short answer: no. Because stool is stored in the upper intestine and cannot reach or be expelled through penetration, problems rarely arise unless someone is engaging in more extreme types of sexual intercourse.
Goldstein is confident that most people will not need to douche before sex if they eat a fiber-rich diet (more on this below) and have regular bowel habits. In other words, more than 80% of men who practice receptive anal intercourse douche before sex to ensure there is no “mess.” This is completely natural and nothing to be ashamed of.
What should you eat before having anal sex?
Since anal sex deals with your butt, you have to be careful about what you eat. Basically, you need to eat like an athlete and avoid foods that cause gas, bloating, or stomachaches.
Eating foods rich in insoluble fiber, such as vegetables, cereals, soybeans, and whole grains, is recommended a day or a few hours before anal intercourse. And considering that three out of four people in the world are lactose intolerant, you should probably avoid dairy too.
If your meal gets boring, balance it out with fruit and/or yogurt. Drink plenty of water (about 3 liters) to keep food flowing through your system, and for extra help, take a spoonful of psyllium husk with a little water every morning. Peppermint oil can help reduce gas, bloating, and diarrhea. If anal use is imminent, do your best to avoid red meat and spicy foods. If it helps, most foods take 6 to 8 hours to be fully digested.
How to douche your vagina
Try using the toilet before cleaning most of the canal. Using lukewarm water is the most comfortable and effective (though it's not the best solution to use, according to Goldstein; more on that later). Apply lubricant to the end of the vaginal douche and the anus and insert the end into the rectum by approximately 2 to 3 cm. Gently squeeze out the water until the rectum is full. Then sit on the toilet and push the water out, just like you would when going to the bathroom. Repeat until the water is clear, usually on the second trip.
Because water and store-bought enemas can irritate rectal cells, causing dry cracks and increased mucus production, Goldstein developed a disposable anal douche made from an isotonic solution. “Isotonic” means that the solution has the same osmotic pressure as the cells of the anal canal and therefore does not have the negative health effects mentioned earlier.
Be careful and don't use too much. Washing too vigorously or using too much water can cause long-term problems, including reliance on douching and irritation of the anal area. “In addition to the health risks, excessive douching can loosen stool in the upper part of the colon, which is not normally in contact with anal sex, making things messier than if you had not douched at all.” Goldstein. “The Future Method philosophy is ‘less is more,’ because the more times and quantity you wash, the more good bacteria you remove.”
As for when If you need to douche, it may be needed about an hour before sex to allow all the water to drain from the rectum. Most of them come out during douching. But to be safe, stay near the bathroom.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Douching
If it doesn't need cleaning, why bother? Let’s weigh the pros and cons to make an informed decision.
The pros are unique and obvious. There is no poop. Most people don't want anything messy, and washing them ensures a clean experience. Basically, accidents can be traumatic and douching can help reduce your worries.
The downside is that many of these problems are rare and more challenging depending on the cleaning method and frequency of cleaning. Using a commercial or Fleet brand enema to douche your vagina can cause mucus to build up and dry out the area, which can cause cracking, bleeding, and increase your risk of sexually transmitted diseases.
Excessive cleansing can cause the colon to become longer and cause constipation later in life. Irresponsible douching can irritate and worsen the intestinal lining and increase the risk of anal dysplasia, which occurs when most cells in the rectum become abnormal. This is considered pre-cancerous.
What type of cleaner should I buy?
Disposable Anal Douching Solution and Bulb Kit
![](https://luna-askmen-images.askmen.com/sex/sexual_health/how-to-properly-use-an-anal-douche/disposable-anal-douche-solution-bulb-kit-1711465340.png)
What's unique about the Future Method kit is its scientifically developed isotonic solution, which makes it easier and gentler on the rectum (soothes the application area). When used before or after sexual intercourse, it provides soothing and moist comfort. Includes medical grade bulb.
From $29.99 at FutureMethod.com
Bone Yard's Skwert Douche Adapter Kit
![](https://luna-askmen-images.askmen.com/sex/sexual_health/how-to-properly-use-an-anal-douche/bone-yards-skwert-douche-adapter-kit-1711465409.png)
Bone Yard's Skwert Douche adapter kit turns a standard water bottle into a water bottle. Perfect for those seeking convenience and discretion, the 4-inch soft tip features three sets of threads to ensure you can clean with confidence. It's very portable, so you can put it in your pocket and go on the road.
$23.95 at CheapLubes.com
Prowler Classic Bulb Douche
![](https://luna-askmen-images.askmen.com/sex/sexual_health/how-to-properly-use-an-anal-douche/prowler-classic-bulb-douche-1711465548.png)
The classic bulb design has stood the test of time and this model from the Prowler, with its extra-large 224ml capacity, takes the original design and makes it perfect. We especially like the detachable nozzle, which makes cleaning easy.
$19.99 at LittleSisters.com
What is the general rule of thumb here? Treat your bum like your living room. When guests arrive, it is polite to tidy up a bit.
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