Ideally, anal hygiene only involves routine washing with soap and water or using a bidet at home. However, many anal players find that they need to do more to prepare for anal sex.
Poor anal hygiene can cause perianal dermatitis, and intense wiping may cause microtears in the skin. The best way to prevent this is by switching from scratchy toilet paper to a wet wipe or by using a bidet.
Douching
Douching, or using a douche to clean your anal canal and rectum, is generally safe if you use the right product. A simple rinse with normal saline from a kit (like the Fleet brand), that comes with pre-lubricated nozzles, should suffice. However, douching can be unsafe if you douche too often or insert the cleansing nozzle too far up your anus. This can cause discomfort and leave your anus open to infection, so douching should only be done occasionally — or after anal play.
Even with a clean anal, wiping is also important to prevent irritation in your sensitive anal area. But be careful with the soap you use, as harsh cleansers can irritate your anus. Moreover, wiping with soap can wash away the protective lubricant your anus naturally produces.
While poop isn’t something you want to see during anal play, it shouldn’t stop you from enjoying anal sex if everyone involved is enthusiastically consenting. That said, knowing how to properly prepare your ass for anal will make the experience smoother and more enjoyable for everyone. So, be sure to practice good anal hygiene, including cleaning with gentle baby wipes and a gentle shower rinse before bottoming! And don’t forget to give your anus a good rubdown with a lubricant of your choice, too. Your anus is a wonderful thing, designed to keep your fecal waste deep in your intestinal tract until it’s time for a bowel movement.
Enema
Douching too frequently or with too much force can rinse away the mucus lining your anus and colon, which can lead to irritation and inflammation. This can make anal play uncomfortable, and it can also increase your risk of herpes and other sexually transmitted diseases. It’s best to douche an hour or 2 before anal sex, so that you can give the delicate tissues time to recover. Also, don’t douche with hot water, which can burn your rectum and can cause cramping and abrasions. The water should be about the temperature of your wrist, so test it against your skin before using it on your rectum.
You can buy douching products, but a simple shower and a finger stuck up your anus should be enough for most people. Be sure to use only mild soap, and avoid antibacterial soap, as this can dry out the natural bacteria that keep your anus and colon healthy. You can also add a splash of witch hazel or Balneol to your shower, which will help keep your anal clean without irritating it.
A shower or bath is the best way to clean your anal, but you can also use a douche bottle, which contains a tube with a nozzle that you can insert into your anal canal. Place a bit of lube on the nozzle or in the tub before using it, and slowly squirt the liquid into your anal canal.
Wipes
It’s important to have something on hand to wipe your anus after a bowel movement, but the wipes you pick up at the drugstore aren’t ideal. “Wet wipes deplete the skin around your anus of good bacteria, which can lead to significant itchiness and potential infections like HPV or herpes,” Goldstein says.
He recommends using a non-alcoholic lubricant, such as lukewarm coconut oil or liquefied witch hazel. You can also find reusable cloth pads that can be soaked in water. He adds that using a spray bottle with lukewarm water is another way to clean your anus, but it may be too messy for some people to do in public bathrooms.
You can also use a cloth or piece of toilet paper to wipe your anus, but Goldstein warns against wiping too hard. That can irritate the sensitive skin, which can cause itching or even anal cancer, and it can also cause hemorrhoids.
The best way to prevent poop stains and odors is to eat lots of fiber, which can help you go more frequently and reduce the amount of anal wiping that you have to do. If you can’t get enough fiber through your diet, Goldstein recommends fiber supplements specifically formulated with the anus in mind. He also suggests showering immediately before anal sex to remove any stray fecal matter from the anus area.
Towel
Douching is controversial because it can damage the lining of the rectum, cause bowel movement issues, and increase infection risk. However, it can make anal sex feel more comfortable for some people and is a great way to get ready for anal play with a butt plug or anal dildo. To douch safely, use a saline solution or warm water with a gentle stream. Avoid using hot water, as it can burn and irritate the anal tissue. If you have hemorrhoids, it’s especially important to keep the area clean to prevent aggravated tissue.
Showering before anal sex is also a good idea, as it can remove lubricant and bodily fluids that could wet the sheets. While anal sex can be messy, it’s rarely dangerous to the rectum or intestines as long as both parties use lubricant and don’t force objects into the anus. It’s also important to practice open communication and always take STD testing and condoms if possible.
Home enema kits are an excellent option for anal hygiene because they are more convenient and safer than using a bathroom sink. Be sure to sterilize and dry your anal douche thoroughly after each use to reduce the risk of infection. You should also apply lube to the anal douche nozzle and the anus before inserting the tube for better comfort. This reusable anal douche kit from b-Vibe includes a handy 51 page guide booklet, and the nozzle is made of durable ABS plastic that can be sterilized or boiled.
