How Important Are Anal Lubricants?

How Important Are Anal Lubricants?

Anal lubricants are imperative when it comes to anal sex regardless of how experienced or inexperienced you may be. This is all because unlike the female genitalia which is self lubricating, the rectum and the anus do not produce any of their own naturally occurring lubrication. Therefore, if a lubricant is not used, anal intercourse could prove to be an especially painful experience. Using anal lubricants that are specially formulated to work well in anal play and penetration can make anal sex much more enjoyable and free from pain.

Is Anal Sex For Men and Women?

The answer to this question is unequivocally yes. Although anal sex is sometimes mistakenly thought to be the pursuit of homosexual men alone, there are also many straight sex and lesbian couples that participate in it. Using good quality condoms combined with silicone or water-based anal lubricants help to make penetration easier and more comfortable. Anal lubricants can also be used prior to full sex in anal play with fingers or sex toys. When participating in anal intercourse, it’s important that you take things slowly because the lining of the rectum is fragile and could be very easily damaged by fast paced thrusting. Likewise, it’s important to remember to keep fingernails cut short for anal play to also prevent any damage from occurring. Regardless of the sexuality of the couple, you must ensure that your partner feels completely comfortable about anal sex before engaging in it. If one partner is not completely happy with anal intercourse then it’s best to stick with a type of sex that pleases both partners.

Different Types of Anal Lubricants

As with other types of lubricant, anal lubes are available in sprays, creams and gels that are either odourless or lightly scented, water based or silicone based. Anal lubricants are designed to be used with condoms. They are intended to make the muscles around the anus more relaxed while at the same time not allowing any sensitivity to be lost when penetration takes place. If you plan on using an anal lubricant with an anal sex toy such as a butt plug it’s important to double check beforehand that the lubricant is compatible with the toy and will not cause it any damage. For example, silicone toys should not be used with silicone based lubricants as they cause a reaction in them leading them to degrade over time. Using an anal lube such as ID Backslide Lubricant 30ml (priced at £6.99), which has been specially formulated to be thick and long lasting, should ease you into anal intercourse. You could also go one step further and pair any anal lubricant up with Relaxxx Anal Spray (priced at £14.97) which relaxes the anal muscles without diminishing sensitivity levels.

Using Condoms for Anal Sex

When participating in anal sex, it’s always advisable to use a condom. This comprehensively reduces the chance of contracting an STI (sexually transmitted infection) and also virtually eliminates any risk of pregnancy. Although highly unlikely to occur from anal penetration, it is still possible for females to get pregnant if a condom isn’t used because semen could in theory seep from the anus into the vagina.

Remember that using a good anal lubricant helps to achieve more satisfying and comfortable anal intercourse for both partners.

Can We Help?

Do you have any questions about anal lubrication? If so, please feel free to contact our dedicated customer service team who will get back to you as soon as they can.

Julia Davis

Mental health expert
MS, University of Latvia

I am deeply convinced that each patient needs a unique, individual approach. Therefore, I use different psychotherapy methods in my work. During my studies, I discovered an in-depth interest in people as a whole and the belief in the inseparability of mind and body, and the importance of emotional health in physical health. In my spare time, I enjoy reading (a big fan of thrillers) and going on hikes.

Latest from Lifestyle