The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women by Tristan Taormino Page A

around the genitals, and condoms and dental dams will protect only the area they cover, so partners should limit their activities accordingly during outbreaks.
    Safe, slow , and gentle anal sex decreases the chances of trauma to anal/rectal tissue; keep in mind, however, that you may already have minute tears or sores in the rectal lining that you don’t know about.
    If you and your partner are both HIV-positive, you should still practice safer sex to avoid being exposed to a different strain of the virus or transmitting opportunistic infections.

CHAPTER 7
    Lubricants
    Before I slide down this particular pole, let me reveal a bias: I am a firm believer that lube makes any sexual activity much more pleasurable. The wetter and slipperier everything is, the better. But lubricant is not just desirable for anal penetration, it’s essential. Unlike the vagina, the anal canal and rectum are not self-lubricating . During anal exploration, you might find that the ass feels wet. What you’re feeling is a natural mucous secretion and maybe some sweat—but neither provides enough wetness to lubricate the ass for pleasurable penetration. And spit just won’t do the trick. If you’re using gloves, dams, or condoms, you absolutely need lube because unlubricated latex and latex alternatives are more likely to break without lube. Whether or not you’re using safer sex barriers, you want to reduce the friction to make penetration comfortable. Lube makes penetration smoother and easier for both partners, reducing the chance of discomfort or pain. The better penetration feels, the easier it is for both of you to relax and enjoy the experience. Lube also makes long anal play sessions possible. No matter how small or large the finger, cock, or toy, you need lube .

    There are many different varieties of lubricants on the market, with the widest selections at sex toy shops and websites. Many of these places carry small sample sizes or a sampler pack, which is ideal; it’s best to experiment with different brands to see what’s right for you.

Oil- or Vegetable-Based Lube
    It’s no secret that some people look no further than their kitchen or bathroom to find a lube. People write to me all the time and tell me that they use common household items—like olive oil, baby oil, Crisco, Vaseline, or lotion—as lube. They weren’t made for bedroom activities so they definitely don’t work as well as the many lubricants on the market which are formulated, tested, and designed specifically for sex. There are lubricants sold that have similar properties, brands like Boy Butter, Elbow Grease, and ID Cream. These lubes are slick and greasy, often with a creamy consistency reminiscent of Crisco. They are great for male masturbation, and although they are marketed for anal sex (especially toward the gay male consumer), the problem with them is the same as with household products: they are oil based or vegetable based. This group of lubricants breaks down latex condoms, dams, and gloves, so you should use them with latex alternatives like vinyl or nitrile. They often stain sheets, clothing, and towels, and are generally hard to clean up. In addition to being incompatible with latex, oil- and vegetable-based lubes can wreak havoc on a woman’s pussy. Even when you’re headed for her ass, and you are being diligent about ass to pussy cross-contamination, sometimes a little lube finds its way into her front door. In this case, that lube cannot be rinsed out, is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, and will most likely cause an infection of some kind. For all these reasons, I do not recommend oil or vegetable-based lubes for anal play .

Desensitizing Lube
    With popular brand names like Anal Ease, Anal-Eze, and Tushy Tamer, “desensitizing” lubes promise to make anal sex easier and more comfortable. Don’t believe the hype! These lubes contain benzocaine (or a similar ingredient), a topical anesthetic that numbs your anus and rectum. It’s the