Putting more things up your arse
On one hand, in addition to the risk of HIV and STIs, putting stuff up our arse can mean a gradual reduction in the elasticity and co-ordination of the sphincter muscles which can result in permanent damage. This can lead to problems in shitting and incontinence. Certainly there are gay men with arses the size of the Grand Canyon which have probably resulted from over use. On the other hand, by taking sensible precautions, risks from HIV and STIs can be reduced significantly (or in some cases eliminated). Like many other parts of our bodies, with practice and care, we can tone up and improve our sphincter muscle control. Furthermore, by gaining an understanding of our digestive system and the workings of our arse, we are better able to manage and care for them and recognise problems. It's difficult to imagine us not using our arses for sex in some way and so, in the absence of any clear information about the effects of arse play, the following guidelines are a compromise between overdoing it and not doing it.
Don't abuse your arse: treat it with care and respect.
Listen to what your body has to say.
If you're not comfortable or relaxed - don't.
If in doubt - don't.
Adopt good techniques in arse preparation and play.
Don't do anything that causes pain or discomfort.
Respond quickly to any problems or complications.
Go for regular sexual health check-ups.
Arse play is also thought to contribute to or aggravate Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
Sex Toys
Made from rubber or latex, the most common dildo looks like an erect cock and is put up the arse for sexual pleasure. They vary in length and width and often taper from the base to a cock-shaped head with designs and contours which are often exaggerated. Butt plugs are related to dildos but are smaller, stumpier and less penetrating. They are a gentler option to dildos, and while many guys are happy with them, others use them as stepping stone to dildos named Maximus, Gargantuan and Jeff Stryker. Dildos and butt plugs have thicker bases to give you a good grip and make sure you don't lose it up there.
Since sex toys come in all shapes and sizes, you would do well to consider what you want to get out of their use before you get one. For example, broader based dildos tend to stretch and stimulate your anal canal. If you want to excite your prostate gland you'll probably need one that's longer. While they usually come with a base for grip, it's easier to keep hold of dildos with a ball shaped base.
Maintenance
Dildos and butt plugs are easy to maintain. (1) Soak them in a one-to-ten solution of household bleach and water for a minimum of two hours. (2) Wash them off in hot soapy water. (3) Rinse off thoroughly - you don't want bleach or soap residue up your arse. Finally, using condoms will reduce cleaning times.
Hands and fingers
Fingers and hands are sometimes overlooked as a source of infection and transmission during sex. Here are some tips to help keep the risks to a minimum.
Hands should be in a good condition; skin should be unbroken and have no cuts, sores or abrasions.
Fingernails should be clean, short, and filed to remove any rough edges. Cuticles (that's where your nails join your fingers) should be smooth and unbroken.
Rough or dry hands can be softened with a moisturiser, although oil-based moisturisers damage condoms.
You should wear gloves if your skin is broken or has cuts, sores or abrasions, or if cuticles are torn or split, or if fingernails are damaged, ragged or raw. This is because damaged or broken skin is more likely to provide routes for infection to get into the body.
Risk of infection
If you are sharing fingers, dildos or fists between arses or mouths (very possibly covered with traces of blood, cum, shit or piss) this can put you or your partner(s) at risk from STIs. Generally, we don't cover our fingers when we put them up our own arse but they should be washed thoroughly if they are then going up anybody else's. The same applies if you finger someone else first and then want to finger yourself. Alternatively you can use a finger-cot (a condom for your finger) with a new cot used on each partner. You may only be able to obtain these from sexual health clinics and chemists. If you are using condoms, your cock should only go up one arse with each condom. If there's more than one arse on offer, use a fresh condom. Similarly, if you're using gloves a new glove should be used with each partner. The same applies to dildos and toys. Getting into the habit of always using a condom on a dildo (whether you're by yourself or not) will also give you repeated opportunities to practise putting on and taking off condoms.
Irritants like soaps and laxatives cause diarrhoea, and their long-term use will damage your arse. Blood, cum, and shit may be infected with HIV and other sexually transmitted infections like hepatitis, gonorrhoea, syphilis and herpes.
This online advice guide is an extract from the book TOGETHER, by kind permission of Patriic Gayle and Gay Times Books. The book itself is over 300 pages long and contains:
several chapters more useful advice and information
more in-depth information in some chapters
more pictures and tables
further contacts at the end of each chapter
a comprehensive listing of gay and health organisations
Described by Qx magazine as a 'Gay Bible', Together Book is a practical reference work no bookshelf should be without.
Available from Prowler Stores and all good bookshops, or click the link below for price and ordering details.
Sex Toys
Made from rubber or latex, the most common dildo looks like an erect cock and is put up the arse for sexual pleasure. They vary in length and width and often taper from the base to a cock-shaped head with designs and contours which are often exaggerated. Butt plugs are related to dildos but are smaller, stumpier and less penetrating. They are a gentler option to dildos, and while many guys are happy with them, others use them as stepping stone to dildos named Maximus, Gargantuan and Jeff Stryker. Dildos and butt plugs have thicker bases to give you a good grip and make sure you don't lose it up there.
Since sex toys come in all shapes and sizes, you would do well to consider what you want to get out of their use before you get one. For example, broader based dildos tend to stretch and stimulate your anal canal. If you want to excite your prostate gland you'll probably need one that's longer. While they usually come with a base for grip, it's easier to keep hold of dildos with a ball shaped base.
Maintenance
Dildos and butt plugs are easy to maintain. (1) Soak them in a one-to-ten solution of household bleach and water for a minimum of two hours. (2) Wash them off in hot soapy water. (3) Rinse off thoroughly - you don't want bleach or soap residue up your arse. Finally, using condoms will reduce cleaning times.
Hands and fingers
Fingers and hands are sometimes overlooked as a source of infection and transmission during sex. Here are some tips to help keep the risks to a minimum.
Risk of infection
If you are sharing fingers, dildos or fists between arses or mouths (very possibly covered with traces of blood, cum, shit or piss) this can put you or your partner(s) at risk from STIs. Generally, we don't cover our fingers when we put them up our own arse but they should be washed thoroughly if they are then going up anybody else's. The same applies if you finger someone else first and then want to finger yourself. Alternatively you can use a finger-cot (a condom for your finger) with a new cot used on each partner. You may only be able to obtain these from sexual health clinics and chemists. If you are using condoms, your cock should only go up one arse with each condom. If there's more than one arse on offer, use a fresh condom. Similarly, if you're using gloves a new glove should be used with each partner. The same applies to dildos and toys. Getting into the habit of always using a condom on a dildo (whether you're by yourself or not) will also give you repeated opportunities to practise putting on and taking off condoms.
Irritants like soaps and laxatives cause diarrhoea, and their long-term use will damage your arse. Blood, cum, and shit may be infected with HIV and other sexually transmitted infections like hepatitis, gonorrhoea, syphilis and herpes.
This online advice guide is an extract from the book TOGETHER, by kind permission of Patriic Gayle and Gay Times Books. The book itself is over 300 pages long and contains:
Described by Qx magazine as a 'Gay Bible', Together Book is a practical reference work no bookshelf should be without.
Available from Prowler Stores and all good bookshops, or click the link below for price and ordering details.
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