Anal sex: ‘Better than vaginal sex’

Stephanie Fernandez/Contributing Writer

Anal sex has long been misconstrued as a painful, dirty activity reserved for gay men according to Camila Pham, health educator at the University’s Healthy Living Program. However, she explains, the truth is far from it. 

Anal sex is the riskiest sexual behavior because it’s the area from which body expels fecal matter however with proper hygiene practices and the appropriate protection and use of lube, people can have anal sex in a safer way, Pham says.

“Anal sex is better than having vaginal sex. It’s a huge turn on and you have a better orgasm. It doesn’t hurt at all, you just got to know how to do it and the right position to do it,” said Olga Macias, biology major.

Macias adds that while it might be pleasurable, it’s also risky. She warns students to be careful when picking a partner and be aware of their partner’s sexual health.

“Anal sex can be an uncomfortable experience, especially at first. That is why it is important to properly prepare. People should have an open dialogue with their partner(s) about their boundaries, and appropriately prepare for the experience,” said Pham.

Things like foreplay, sex toys, and the use of lubricant can greatly increase the quality of the experience, Pham says, and that applies to anal sex and any other kind of sex. Macias echoed that sentiment.

“My ex-boyfriend was a gynecologist. He was the first guy I did it with and he taught me the right position. I have never experienced an orgasm like that previously. I highly recommend anal sex,” said Macias. “It doesn’t hurt as long as you know what you are doing and so does the person who is doing it.”

Pham recommends a few tips to stay safe when engaging in anal sex: properly using condoms and appropriate lubrication to prevent tearing, adding that certain lubs, like water-based lube with lidocaine, are formulated specifically for anal sex and can make the experience more comfortable for those involved. She also stresses the importance of having sober consent when engaging in any sexual activity and staying protected to prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases or viruses.  

“When in doubt, it is always best to seek medical attention and go visit your assigned doctor or one of the nearby student health centers if FIU students have any STI/STD specific questions,” says Pham.

It’s also important, she adds, to be informed on pre-exposure prophylaxis, post-exposure prophylaxis and antiretroviral therapy.

“PrEP, when taken by an HIV-positive person, reduces the chances that their partners will contract HIV. PEP helps reduce the chances of developing HIV if you have been exposed to the virus in a sexual encounter or via needle-based activities (drug use, tattoos, piercings..) ART helps reduce the viral load of an HIV-positive individual, in turn reducing the chances of infecting their partners,” Pham said.

The Student Health Center and the Healthy Living Program, at both the Modesto Maidique Campus and The Biscayne Bay Campus, offer confidential testing and safe sex materials for students to utilize at their discretion.

SHC allows students to go in for STD testing at a lower cost and HLP offers one-on-one sexual health education, free safe sex materials, semester programing and free confidential HIV testing. For more information on the services available to students, visit the studenthealth.fiu.edu.