Heterosexual couples account for most anal play
Voeller, B. “AIDS and Heterosexual Anal Intercourse,” Archives of Sexual Behavior (1991) 20:233.
History of anal sex
McBride, KR and JD Fortenberry. “Heterosexual Anal Sexuality and Anal Sex Behaviors: A Review,” Journal of Sex Research (2010) 47:123.
Prevalence of anal sex
Benson, L.S. et al. “Correlates of Heterosexual Anal Intercourse Among Women in the 1006-1010 National Survey of Family Growth,” Journal of Sexual Medicine (2015) 12:1746.
Copen, C.E. et al. “Sexual Behavior, Sexual Attraction, and Sexual Orientation Among Adults Aged 18-44 in the United States: Data from the 2011-2013 Natural Survey of Family Growth,” National Health Statistics Reports (2016) 7:1.
Halperin, D.T. “Heterosexual Anal Intercourse: Prevalence Cultural Factors, and HIV Infection and Other Health Risks, Part I,” AIDS Patient Care and STDs (1999) 13:717.
Herbenick, D. et al. “Sexual Behavior in the United States: Results from a National Probability Sample of Men and Women Ages 14-94,” Journal of Sexual Medicine (2010) 7(Suppl 5):255.
Hess, K.L. et al. “Prevalence and Correlates of Heterosexual Anal Intercourse Among Men and Women, 20 U.S. Cities,” AIDS Behavior (2016) 20:2966.
Heywood, W. and A.M. Smith. “Anal Sex Practices in Heterosexual and Male Homosexual Populations: A Review of Population-Based Data,” Sex and Health (2012) 9:517.
McBride, K. “Heterosexual Women’s Anal Sex Attitudes and Motivations: A Focus Group Study,” Journal of Sex Research (2019) 56:367.
Richters, J. et al. “Sexual Practices at Last Heterosexual Encounter and Occurrence of Orgasm in a National Survey,” Journal of Sex Research (2006) 43:217.
Hemorrhoids and anal sex
Johanson, J.F. and A. Sonnenberg. “The Prevalence of Hemorrhoids and Chronic Constipation: An Epidemiologic Study,” Gastroenterology (1990) 98:380.
Mounsey, A.L. et al. “Hemorrhoids,” American Family Physician (2011) 84:204.
Riss, S. et al. “The Prevalence of Hemorrhoids in Adults,” International Journal of Colorectal Diseases (2012) 27:215.
Heterosexual anal intercourse is increasingly popular
“The Bottom Line,” New York Magazine, Oct. 25, 2007.
Brody, S. and P. Weiss. “Heterosexual Anal Intercourse: Increasing Prevalence, and Association with Sexual Dysfunction, Bisexual Behavior, and Venereal Disease History,” Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy (2011) 37:298.
Herbenick, D. et al. “Sexual Behavior in the United States: Results from a National Probability Sample of Men and Women Ages 14-94,” Journal of Sexual Medicine (2010) 7(Suppl 5):255.
Stulhofer, A. and D. Ajdukovic. “A Mixed-Methods Exploration of Women’s Experiences of Anal Intercourse: Meanings Related to Pain and Pleasure,” Archives of Sexual Behavior (2013) 42:1053.
Initial anal play is often unplanned
Reynolds, G.L. et al. “Why Women Engage in Anal Intercourse: Results from a Qualitative Study,” Archives of Sexual Behavior (2015) 44:983.
Why women engage in anal sex
Maynard, E. et al. “Women’s Experiences with Anal Sex: Motivations and Implications for STD Prevention,” Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health (2009) 41:142.
McBride, K.R. “Heterosexual Women’s Anal Sex Attitudes and Motivations: A Focus Group Study,” Journal of Sex Research (2017) epub ahead of print.
Reynolds, G.L. et al. “Why Women Engage in Anal Intercourse: Results from a Qualitative Study,” Archives of Sexual Behavior (2015) 44:983.
General guides to anal play
Morin, J. Anal Pleasure and Health: A Guide for Men and Women (3rd ed.) Down There Press, San Francisco, 1998.
Taormino, T. The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women. Cleis Press, San Francisco, 1998.
Until 1961, oral sex was illegal throughout the U.S.
Some men receive
Herbenick, D. et al. “Sexual Behavior in the United States: Results from a National Probability Sample of Men and Women Ages 14-94,” Journal of Sexual Medicine (2010) 7(Suppl 5):255.
Pain during anal intercourse
Herbenick, D. et al. “Pain Experienced During Vaginal and Anal Intercourse with Other-Sex Partners: Findings from a Nationally Representative Probability Study in the United States,” Journal of Sexual Medicine (2015) 12:1040.
Stulhofer, A. and D. Ajdukovic. “Should We Take Anodyspareunia Seriously? A Descriptive Analysis of Pain During Receptive Anal Intercourse in Young Heterosexual Women,” Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy (2011) 37:346.