Nine women open up about what anal sex really feels like

Anal sex is nothing to be ashamed of – and can be a really enjoyable experience. The key is to take it slowly, relax and use lots and lots of lube. Having anal sex without preparation or enough moisture can be incredibly painful – and can even tear the thin, delicate skin inside the anus. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do it safely and enjoy it at the same time. To have good anal sex, try some foreplay first. Start with using your fingers and then a small toy or a butt plug to open your anus up and relax the muscles within it. Once you are relaxed enough, penetration will be a lot easier. If anal sex is incredibly painful for you, you are not prepared enough for it – and you shouldn’t carry on until you are. It’s important to have mutual trust and respect with your partner, and to only do what you are comfortable with. We spoke to nine women who have had anal sex, to find out what led them to do it, what it felt like and whether they enjoy it. Here’s what they said. ‘It was like a backwards poo’ ‘My ex wanted to do it. And I guess I was curious too but I doubt I would have pushed it if he hadn’t. ‘It was like a backwards poo. ‘Barely got an inch in before I ran off screaming.’ Make sure you are comfortable and relaxed ‘I decided it wasn’t for me at first’ ‘Me and my boyfriend tried anal a few months into our relationship when we were drunk. We were having normal sex and he randomly asks me can I put it in your bum? So me being drunk was like yeah, why not? ‘Very strange sensations. I felt pain, nothing, then pain again, then it felt ok, and then nothing. After that I decided it wasn’t for me. ‘However, a year and six months into our relationship, we broke up and recently got back together and to spice things up we decided to try anal again, and ever since we got back together three weeks ago we do anal every time we have sex. ‘Not being on any contraceptive makes it easier for him to not worry about cumming because obviously you can’t get pregnant through bum sex. ‘I actually quite enjoy it now, there’s discomfort at first, but then it feels really good!’