March 21, 2023 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

August Celebrated As Anal Pleasure Month

In 2012 August was declared to be anal pleasure month which is unbeknownst to many people. Good Vibrations, an adult toy retailer, made this declaration to inform people about anal pleasure so that they will be less scared about exploring it. 

Anal sex has been around since the start of civilization. We know that, for example, man-on-man sex certainly existed in ancient Rome, and there is also evidence of same-sex acts being discussed in ancient Greek plays.

However enjoying anal pleasure was once considered punishable by law around the world. For example sodomy laws in the United States, which outlawed a variety of sexual acts, were inherited from colonial laws in the 1600s. While they often targeted sexual acts between persons of the same sex, many statutes employed definitions broad enough to outlaw certain sexual acts between persons of different sexes, in some cases even including acts between married persons.

Through the 20th century, the gradual liberalization of American sexuality led to the elimination of sodomy laws in most states. During this time, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of sodomy laws in Bowers v. Hardwick in 1986. However, in 2003, the Supreme Court reversed the decision with Lawrence v. Texas, invalidating sodomy laws in the remaining states that upheld that law. 

Although some still consider anal pleasure taboo especially in the heterosexual community. A study done in the 1990s showed that only one-quarter to one-third of young women and men in the U.S. had experimented with anal sex. Just a decade later, a study done by Dr. Debby Herbenick, co-director of The Center for Sexual Health Promotion at Indiana University’s School of Public Health, showed up to 45% of young people have experimented with anal sex. 

The stigmas behind anal pleasure are reasons why it is considered taboo. For example, some people believe the primary purpose for having sex is to procreate. Other people fear it will be messy. Some men fear that if they enjoy anal sex, it might mean they are homosexual however enjoying anal sex will not make you gay and has nothing to do with sexual orientation. Still other people believe it will be painful. 

While anal sex is commonly associated with male homosexuality, research shows that not all gay males engage in anal sex and that it is not uncommon in heterosexual relationships. 

In cisgender men and people assigned male at birth, anal sex can stimulate the prostate and lead to an orgasm. 

For cisgender women and people assigned female at birth, anal sex can hit two hot spots: the G-spot and A-spot. Both are located along the vaginal wall but can be indirectly stimulated during anal.

Sexual activity has been linked to:

•lower risk of heart disease, hypertension, and •stroke

•better sleep, which has its own awesome •benefits

•a stronger immune system

•headache relief

•boosted libido

•menstrual cramp relief

•happier mood

More specifically prostate stimulation may help prevent and treat erectile dysfunction (ED), prostatitis, and painful ejaculation.

If you happen to have an orgasm during anal sex or any type of orgasm there are other benefits, including:

•stress relief

•reduced inflammation

•pain reduction

•improved circulation

•better skin

If anal pleasure is something you want to experience talk about it before you try it. Begin by having a conversation with your partner and asking some questions about their thoughts on the matter. Do some research before trying it and understand that anal sex done right should not hurt. It all depends on your anatomy, your ability to relax, the amount of lube and other factors. 

Anal sex is also a high risk sexual activity. Data from the CDC shows that receptive anal sex is the most high risk sexual behavior with regard to HIV transmission. To minimize the risk of STI transmission, a person should wear a condom during anal sex. 

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