8/14/2014
Shocking News About Anal Sex | Women's Health Magazine
Subscribe
Search Women's Health
Register for free! | Log In
Fitness
Sex
Sex & Love
Dating
Relationships
Life
Food
Sex Positions
Weight Loss
Birth Control
Love Your Body
Health
Fit Bump
Beauty
Style
Guy Next Door
ANAL SEX
Shocking News About Anal Sex
A new study reveals major gender differences in how we view it and why
we do it.
PUBLISHED: AUGUST 13, 2014 | BY KRISTEN SOLLEE
Like
38
Tweet
ADVERTISEMENT
Share
FOLLOW US
WHAT'S HOT
SHUTTERSTOCK
Whether you love it, hate it, have tried it or have thought about it, anal sex
seems to be less taboo these days. But a new British study found that young
women aren’t always doing it for the right reasons. The research, published
in the medical journal BMJ Open, attempted to collect information about
when anal sex occurs and the reasons why men and women engage in it.
1
How to Make Your Own Ice
Cream—without an Ice Cream
Maker!
Using a sample of 130 heterosexual men and women between the ages of 16
and 18 from the cities and suburbs of England, scientists conducted group
interviews and individual interviews to find out about the participants’
sexual practices. The results revealed major gender differences in the ways
men and women talk about anal sex and their motivations to have it.
While men in the study tended to correlate anal sex with pleasure and
macho sexual achievement, women brought up a fear of physical pain and a
damaged reputation. Male subjects often expressed that they wanted to
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/sex-and-relationships/anal-sex
Ways to Keep Your Vagina
2 11Happy
and Healthy
1/8
8/14/2014
Shocking News About Anal Sex | Women's Health Magazine
have anal sex to mimic pornography and because it was more pleasurable
than vaginal penetration, while women mainly said they did it to please their
partners. There was a shared understanding between interviewees that
women were supposed to be begged or forced into participating and should
expect it to hurt, and if they turned down anal sex, they were uptight. The
idea of “if you try it, you’ll like it” was frequently referred to as a tactic men
used to convince women to try it. And unfortunately, many subjects were
unaware that STIs can easily be transmitted through anal sex.
MORE: White House Releases Guidelines to Combat Sexual Assault on
College Campuses
Healthy Dinners You Can
3 6Make
in 5 Minutes or Less
Obviously this study only looked at a small subsection of young adults in the
U.K., so these attitudes are not representative of all men and women—
especially older adults in committed relationships. Still, it’s shocking to see
the damaging stereotypes and unfortunate gender norms surrounding anal
sex.
However, these views aren’t necessarily uncommon among American
adults as well, says licensed sex therapist Christine Milrod, Ph.D. She
attributes this growing interest in anal sex—and the stereotypes
surrounding the act—to pornography. But it’s important to remember that
porn is not sex education, and the themes you may see in it are often
seriously unrealistic. The fact is that some women aren’t enthused about
backdoor action, while others really enjoy it; some find it painful, while
others find it pleasurable; and most importantly, it should never be
something you’re forced into doing.
MORE: Is Your Partner a Sexual Narcissist?
4
What ARE Flash Tattoos? And
Other FAQs About the
Awesome Jewelry-Inspired
Temporary Tats
Vergara FINALLY Talks
5 Sofia
About Dating Joe Manganiello
When it comes to experimenting with this sex act, Milrod’s first piece of
advice is to never succumb to pressure from your partner if you’re not ready
or interested in trying it. “Some women don’t enjoy it and they shouldn’t
have to do it,” Milrod says.
But if you are interested in trying it out with your partner and you’re both on
the same page, she suggests you use lots of lube, go slow, and definitely
have him wear a condom to protect both of you from bacterial infections
and STDs. And don’t forget to relax, enjoy yourself, and communicate freely
with your partner. This should be pleasurable for both of you, and you
shouldn’t hesitate to speak up if it’s not. “Far too often women just go along
with whatever a guy says just because they want to please him,” Milrod adds.
“When are women going to decide what they want to do sexually?”
Eating Solo Meals
6 4CanWays
Make You Gain Weight
MORE: 12 Embarrassing Sex Questions You’re Too Afraid to Ask
Tags: sex
7
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/sex-and-relationships/anal-sex
10 Things You Never Knew
About Erections
2/8
8/14/2014
Shocking News About Anal Sex | Women's Health Magazine
Around the Web:
FROM ZERGNET
Facebook Removes
Controversial Photo of 2Year-Old
9 Stars Who Were Actually
Quite Ugly Before They
Became Famous
20 Easy Ways to Cut 100
Calories From Your Day
Details of Robin Williams'
Suicide Revealed
5 Gross Things You Do
Without Thinking About It
5 Stars Who Correctly
Predicted Their Own
Deaths
You
Look That Men Find Most
8 The
Attractive
to Do Every Hour to
9 What
Drop Pounds All Day
May Also Like:
Women's Health
MyDailyMoment
Women's Health
11 Must­Know Oral Sex
Tips from Real Women
If He Doesn't Do This, He
Is Not the One
The Incredibly Common
Habit That's Linked to An
Early Death
Women's Health
Women's Health
Women's Health
11 Places You Need to
Have Sex At Some Point In
Your Life
You've Gotta See This: Zoe
Saldana Got Naked for the
Cover of Women's Health
U.K.
Hypersexuality Isn't Just A
Guy Thing
You Need to Know
10 What
About Suicide and Depression
ADVERTISEMENT
Recommended by
TODAY'S VIDEOS
LATEST SEX & LOVE STORIES
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/sex-and-relationships/anal-sex
3/8
8/14/2014
Shocking News About Anal Sex | Women's Health Magazine
Shocking News About Anal Sex
BY KRISTEN SOLLEE AUGUST 13, 2014
A new study reveals major gender differences in how
we view it and why we do it.
The Exact Chemistry That
Predicts an Epic Sex Life
BY KRISTEN SOLLEE AUGUST 13, 2014
Find out if you and your partner a perfect sexual
match.
SEE MORE VIDEOS
How to Take Good Care of Your
Sex Toys
FREE NEWSLETTERS
THE WH DAILY DOSE
BY GISELLE CASTRO AUGUST 12, 2014
Because your buzzing friend needs a little TLC, too.
THE ABS DIET INSIDER
YOGA CONNECTION
Sofia Vergara FINALLY Talks
About Dating Joe Manganiello
BY KRISTEN SOLLEE AUGUST 12, 2014
We’ve been waiting forever for these details!
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Enter Email Address
You may unsubscribe at any time.
Your Privacy Rights. About Us.
SUBSCRIBE NOW!
5 Things You Need to Remember
Before a First Date
BY YOURTANGO AUGUST 12, 2014
Allow us to put your pre-date nerves at ease.
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/sex-and-relationships/anal-sex
4/8
8/14/2014
Shocking News About Anal Sex | Women's Health Magazine
10 Women Share the "Unsexy"
Ways They Orgasm
BY ANNIE DALY AUGUST 12, 2014
Real talk: Things can sometimes get weird on your
way to the big finish
9 People You Do NOT Need to
Invite to Your Wedding
BY ARIELLE PARDES AUGUST 12, 2014
Permission to cut your guest list: granted.
You Can Soon Buy a Pedometer
For His Penis
BY ARIELLE PARDES AUGUST 11, 2014
This takes “sexercise” to a whole new level.
The Key to a Great Sex Life,
According to Zoe Saldana
BY ASHLEY OERMAN AUGUST 11, 2014
Let your freak flag fly
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/sex-and-relationships/anal-sex
5/8
8/14/2014
Shocking News About Anal Sex | Women's Health Magazine
What Guys DON’T Want to Know
About Your Dating History
BY GISELLE CASTRO AUGUST 11, 2014
Hint: Anything in inches should probably be kept to
yourself.
12 Awkward, Hilarious Sex Fails
That ACTUALLY Happened
BY CASEY GUEREN AUGUST 11, 2014
Get ready to cringe—and then feel way better about
your sex life
10 Things You Never Knew
About Erections
BY KRISTEN SOLLEE AUGUST 11, 2014
These might just come in handy.
How Katie Holmes Feels About
Her Divorce From Tom Cruise
BY ARIELLE PARDES AUGUST 8, 2014
The star opens up, two years later, about the split.
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/sex-and-relationships/anal-sex
6/8
8/14/2014
Shocking News About Anal Sex | Women's Health Magazine
Are Relationship Ultimatums
Ever a Good Idea?
BY ASHLEY OERMAN AUGUST 8, 2014
Find out what you're risking when you threaten to
walk away
The Day of the Week People Sext
the Most
BY ARIELLE PARDES AUGUST 8, 2014
Shocker: It’s NOT Friday night
27 Things About Sex That
Actually Kind of Suck
BY YOURTANGO AUGUST 8, 2014
Who said sex was sexy?
Dater Diary: How I Started
Writing About Love (and the
Lack Thereof)
BY LINDSAY TIGAR AUGUST 8, 2014
Introducing our newest dating blogger, who will be
(over)sharing about her love life
7 Super Discreet Sex Toys You
Can Hide in Plain Sight
BY GISELLE CASTRO AUGUST 8, 2014
We promise, it will be our little secret...
LOAD MORE
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/sex-and-relationships/anal-sex
7/8
8/14/2014
Shocking News About Anal Sex | Women's Health Magazine
Categories:
Fitness
Sex & Love
Life
Food
Weight Loss
Health
Beauty
Style
Help:
About Women's Health
FAQ's
Customer Service
Contact Us
Amazon Affiliate Terms
Community Terms Of Use
Services:
Manage Your Subscription
Magazine Subscriptions
Gift Subscriptions
Abs Diet Online
Personal Trainer
SHOP
Favorite Articles:
Best Sex Positions
Abs Workouts For Women
RSS
© 2014 Rodale Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Follow @WomensHealthMag
Women's Health
Like
Share
4m
WH International:
Australia
Brazil
Chile
China
Germany
India
Indonesia
Latin America
Middle East
Netherlands
Philippines
Poland
Russia
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Thailand
Turkey
UK
Vietnam
Rodale Inc. Brands:
Rodale News
Bicycling
Organic Gardening
Prevention
Runner's World
Running Times
Women's Health
IYogaLife
Rodale Grow
Rodale Inc.
Rodale's
Men's Health
Corporate
Media Kit
Your Privacy Rights
Your Privacy Rights
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/sex-and-relationships/anal-sex
8/8