Doctoring Your Derriere: Tips for a Healthy Butt
By: Marc Cuenco
12.9.2011
Let's face facts: a lot of guys enjoy anal sex. They don't necessarily do it every time they have sex, nor does every guy end up on the receiving end of the deal, but it does happen. A lot. And whether you're a power player or someone who just enjoys the occasional backdoor action, it’s important to keep healthy.
Heck, even if you're a total "no entry zone," you still need to make sure you're taking care of things. So with that in mind, Gay.net consulted Dr. Robert Bolan and nurse practitioner Elisa Clay of the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center for tips on keeping your buns of steel in tip-top—ahem, bottom—shape.
1. Protect yourself:
It’s important to stay safe. “Always protect yourself and your partner by properly using a condom,” Dr. Bolan says. You’re not only preventing the possibility of transmitting diseases, but feeling the latex slide in and out can be a pleasurable experience.
2. Make lube your BFF:
“Water-based lubrication is best and least likely to compromise the integrity of condoms,” Clay says. “Frequent application and reapplication is recommended.” Some lubes use nonoxynol-9, which is a spermicide that can sometimes cause irritation for the receiver. Since you don't have to worry about butt babies, use a lube without nonoxynol-9 and don't risk the itch.
3. Enemas are the enemy:
Frequent use of store-bought enemas can irritate your colon and compromise its natural ability to pass stool. Clean up the way nature intended, with regular bowel movements. However, a product like Fleet Naturals, which is made for regular elective cleansing can be used occasionally.
4. Food for thought:
Eating high-fiber foods (whole grains, leafy vegetables, etc.) and staying hydrated throughout the day increases digestive health. “I would recommend avoiding spicy foods if the butt is really sore or has cuts after receptive anal sex,” Clay says.
5. Massage away:
The buttocks have more flesh than other areas of the body, so ask your partner to massage your glutes. “Anal massage may be healthy to perform with lubrication for those who feel pain and tear during receptive sex,” Clay says.
6. Beware of love in the tub:
Having sex in a hot tub, pool, or the ocean increases risk for unprotected sex. The water’s temperature or chlorine could damage condoms, wash away lubrication, and irritate your anus.
7. Bust a myth:
There are several things one can do to help prevent prostate cancer—a sensible diet and lifestyle, low alcohol intake, taking vitamins—but taking it up the rear isn’t one of them. “Anal sex provides no benefit [such as cancer prevention] to the prostate,” Dr. Bolan says.
8. Visit your M.D.:
“Regular rectal screening for gonorrhea and chlamydia is very important,” Clay says. “Talk to your medical provider about when to screen for colon cancer. They will assess you for any risk factors, which may require early screening. If none are present, screening typically begins at age 50.”
9. Just dance:
The right cardio exercise—whether it’s hiking, biking, or swimming—definitely tones and trains your rear, but nothing’s more fun than dropping low and shaking your ass on the dance floor.
Comments
HVP is gnarly. I have it inside my anus and I've only had anal sex with three people, protected.
It's a strain that causes cervical cancer and I have already had one surgery to have a "resection" on the inside of my anus. I will NEVER be the same. The doc took out a quarter of the inside (like a pie shape) and now my hole is so tight, I can barely get anything in. Using any kind of dildo that isn't larger than a finger seems nearly impossible. BUT, I love being a bottom. I top now and it sucks. I'm just not that kinda guy.
Any suggestions? I have another resection surgery scheduled. This could have been prevented with a Gardasil vaccine. I would recommend any gay man get it ASAP. I'm already fucked!
Im a young latin bottom and i need help for take care my butt.......
I'm gonna help you guys, because someone older helped me: If you would like to bottom, but find it too painful, all one can say is "You will simply have to 'put in your time' like all the rest of us." Meaning, if you're like most people, and your butt does not naturally relax, in and of itself, usually, the more you try it, the better you will be able to relax. If you are in real severe pain, you may indeed need the help of a gentle guy to assist you. BUT gentle guys are hard to find. hard? practically IMPOSSIBLE. so---here are some suggestions for those of you:
1. Practice with a dildo while masturbating, and focus on the pleasure. Do NOT keep inserting dildo if you keep experiencing real pain. Get a smaller dildo. The point is to get you to start associating pleasure with your ass, something which is foreign to our culture.
2. practice with dildo while watching porn.
3. Use your finger instead of a dildo (that is starting really small), with porn.
4. Something to instill hope: I was terrified of bottoming in the beginning. All I could think of was "I don't want ANYTHING up there!" But as time went by I learned to relax and I love it. Now I actually prefer bottom.
5. Last, there will always be some guys who will never be able to do it without severe pain. If that turns out to be you (after lots of trying), accept it and move on. Not everyone was meant to be a bottom or versatile. And not everyone was meant to be a top. Good luck, and always be safe.
If you would be interested in an anonymous study to review, test, rate a new type/idea
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Hey there, I'd be interested in helping out...I'm active sexually and would be willing to participate/help out in any way.
Thanks
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This is a much needed article. A few questions here that I've not asked my primary care physician. Glad to know anal sex does not contribute to colon cancer. Better to know about the enemas. Sad, however, that hepatitis A is not mentioned in a gay article. Get vaccinated for what you can and protect yourself from the rest.
It's Hep B you should be worried about from anal sex. It's why the vaccination is recommended, specifically for gay men.
Great blog here..
It’s hard to find quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you.
essential oil
Hello guys
Im kinda new to this and was wandering I have always been a top with the guys Ive had sex with which has not been many, I would like to try anal but im scared of the pain i used a dildo once and hurt like heck, I have yet found the right guy that would take his time so refused to try anal at all, should i stay away from trying anal and strictly stay a top im not sure what i want right now
Sit on your guy and take your own time to open up. When YOU feel pleasure and start doing him at your own pace you can change position...No looking back. All fun !!
You shouldn't give up trying to be a bottom. If you do give up, you are missing out.
To make it a pleasant experience, you need to find the right guy. A young hung twink is fun to watch on video, but that isn’t want you want for your first time. You need an older, experience guy with an average penis who understands that you are new to bottoming and will act accordingly.
Also, It helps to remember that anal hurts for one of three reasons usually.
1) The object you are trying to insert is too large.
2) You are inserting the object too fast. The muscles take a few minutes to relax.
3) You are not using enough lube or you are using poor quality lube.
My first experience is very pleasurable he has a big dick, he gently penetrates very slowly, uses lots of lube and finally did'nt notice it was all inside and he started pumping me which I enjoy it so much, from then on I was looking forward for more and enjoy being bottom not scared of any pain..I love it....
Never give up. Im a bttm and it just takes getting to know someone to see if they will be gentle. Find a guy that's versatile and then show him how you want it...be the example.
hi guys whats your views on poppers?? to help you relax??
hugs
rollie
I've always wondered: Are poppers legal? Can you get them over the counter? How do you ask for them? I'd be really grateful for some answers....
If you got a right person, right cock, right time and you know what are you doing....just heaven!
On those having a hard time going use some prune juice. Get up in the AM drink a half glass of luke warm water. Then have a 8oz of the Juice, wait a half hour, drink the same amount of water in the cup you had the juice in (so don't rinse the cup) 15min after that have some coffee and you should be going before for 9AM. Works for me. A plan my aunt advised me about.
I recently got out of a relationship where my partner only topped which was no problem, but he always wanted sex, and I do mean always. The first weekend we spent together I had rips, tears, hemoroids and hemmoraging. Fun right? Luckily he got sick and i was able to rest and treat myself. Preporation h suppositories are great. It's basically shea/ cocoa butter...used like three or four times a day....I had to learn how to not strain when I thought I had to use the restroom...totally mental. Anyways once we got thru that and i educated myself about lives I could bottom two or three times a day. Boy butter saved my ass!
Have you tried Ebolene? It works wonders on soar and dry butts. But if you worry too much about anal sex, go to: virusmyth.com - and see what the scientists say about it. Happy Holidays! :)
I lost my virginity a couple weeks back and everytime i bottomed I had a huge urge that I needed to pee but when I tried to stop and go I couldn't. What's this mean? Should I just ignore it and keep going?
I believe that urge is coming from the fact that he's hitting your prostate. When your doctor does a prostate exam, isn't that the same feeling you get?
I just started having anal sex (twic) didn't hurt as much the second time but feels like i need to go to the bathroom any suggesrions
I can't remember the last time my husband and I did anal, giving or receiving. I have HIV and he doesn't, so that's a concern, but anal was never all that high on either of our lists of favorite things to do. Matter of taste. Oh, every once in a blue moon one of us gets in the mood for it, but for myself I often found it cumbersome and messy, and bottoming was usually painful into the bargain.
I guess what I am saying is that for us it is usually more trouble than it's worth. We can spend hours in bed just on foreplay; when we were twenty-somethings, cumming was the point. Now that we are middle aged, the journey is just as much fun as the destination, and if you spend enough time on it, when you DO finally get there, WOW.
I agree wholeheartedly. My partner and I have been together for 10 plus years. Anal was never a big deal to us.
I agree... Excellent answer.
Good answer! :)
Gay men should also be screened annually for HPV - the virus that causes warts, both inside and out side your anus. HPV is an ongoing silent epidemic. It is transmitted through touch, so using a condom isnt going to prevent it. Their are many strains of HPV, several of which can develop into anal cancer with time. Check with your health care provider to find out more about this STD.
Polypropylene is stronger than latex and so condoms can be made thinner for greater sensitivity and you can safely use oil based lubricants. I personally can't imagine not having some good anal sex on a regular basis. I love it both ways but am happy to be a total bottom too. For me initial penetration almost always hurts (but after he removes himself or gives me a minute or two to relax, I am basically ready for how ever he wants to give it to me)... for me it's a small price to pay for making sure my partner has a tight hole to play in and I am always wishing he could be in me longer.... When I top I tend to rim a guy for a good 20 minutes to get him relaxed and receptive.
Much has to do with the top and size of his cock.
Sex should be something that is enjoyed. Pain
is not part of the equation. Unless, agreed upon
by both. Have taken quite a few man cherries
and nearly all say I made their first time memorable.
I am 8.5"c and on thick side with big mushroom head.
I slowly insert head inside partner after applying lube
to myself and their hole. Let them adjust to me,
before slowly sliding my shaft inside. Once they adjust
to my dick inside them, slowly start to thrust my pole
in their hole. All this while asking how they are doing.
From this point, save a horse-ride a cowboy ....... ; )
I take my cues from my partner, always want
them to be comfortable and enjoy the ride .....
i agree totally. I'm versatile, but mostly top and that is the same approach that i use with my boyfriend. it takes him some about three minutes normally to get adjusted to my head, then about one more minute for the shaft (without a muscle relaxer). You really do seem like a great lover. Kudos to you man
Now thats a good TOP that takes his time and asks if the bottom is comfortable. Way to go Marc. ;)
I just got wood....lol
Marc...your a prince! A man after my own heart. Wish more guys would think about that with first-timers. Makes the experience good for both partners. True?
Nice comment Marc, and approach. I bet you are a great lover and trainer !
i thought the article was tips on exercise to firm up my bum
I never do anal sex
Oh hello we gay so wouldnt you want ot give yourself to a guy? If its done right i heard it can be excellent
I never insert anything larger than my foot!
For me that's a tad hard with a size 15 foot which is quite wide :P
The last time I had sex I got hemroids. And haven't had a bowel movement in a week! What should I do to have a bowel movement?
Recommend using glycerin suppositories; if no results then go to an enema. Both will loosen up the stool to allow comfortable passage. If this doesn't work, see your healthcare provider.
If you haven't use bowel movement. I recommend you go to see doctor or must eat more fiber like vegetab then will help you feel irritate in your stomach. Same to happen to me and I just drink with powder fiber help me to have a bowel movement.
The ignorance abounds........over douching can take its toll but shit happens and can cause alot of irritation. So a mild douche or even temperate water can sure help that situation. Lube lube and then more lube, some spit in between is great but lube boys. If penetration hurts more than a minute, take it out and learn some patience. Inch by inch, life is not a porn movie where you ram balls deep on the first thrust. Most of those guys have had a butt plug working for an hour or two. There are alot of bad lovers out there, in way to much of a hurry and the ass needs time to relax and adjust. I find the best way to educate a top is for him to be a bottom now and then and vise versa. And last but not least, if it ain't hard........its not going to work!
I LOVE anal sex sometimes with lube sometimes just with my salivia on the cock head after I have deep throated a cock if the head isnt too big.
I also love to watch Gashowoffs videos on xtube, I really gotta make some videos of my own
what ever happened to good old fashioned spit, just hock a loogie up, and coat yer pole with it, and bury it in the bottom, hey its his choice if he wants to lube himself, and the "hurt", factor....how else is a top to know he is hitting the right spots ?
Sleeping with you must be like living a horror story...
WOW!
A tip for chair-bound office workers: to help prevent "secretary-spread", flex your cheeks while sitting--left, then right; it's an exercise that hardly anyone would notice, except the right guy. With practice, a person can keep it up (the exercise, I mean) for fifteen minutes every couple of hours. A chair pad is also a help.
--R.T. Thomes
i love anal sex, i just need to have some. to enjoy it again. what lubricant do you rcommend?
you enjoy anal sex? i had it twice with the same guy and it hurt alot, the second time was worst hurt way more than the first time
Then he wasn't doing it right. Find yourself a more patient, GGG partner
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