Anal douching gay men

Anal douching involves flushing out the rectum with water or another liquid, sometimes before and after anal sex. Knowing how to douche as safely anal douching gay men possible can help to reduce potential risks. It might also help them feel more relaxed and confident during sex.

This article looks at what anal douching is, its benefits and risks, and whether people should try it. It also discusses types of douches, how to perform anal douching, and some alternatives. Anal douching is when a person flushes out their rectum with water, saline, or other liquid.

It is especially popular among men who have sex with men MSM. Types of anal douches include :. Although anal douching is not essential, it can help a person feel cleaner and more relaxed during sex and reduce the worry of transferring feces to a partner. It may reduce contact with feces during anal sex, which might help lower the risk of certain infections resulting from bacteria and parasites in fecal matter.

Examples include Shigella bacteria, which cause shigellosis. To avoid shigellosis, people should not share douching equipment or sex toys. They should wash their hands and genitals with soap before and after:. If a person has diarrheathey should avoid having anal sex for at least 2 weeks after diarrhea has subsided.

A study found an association between inappropriate douching tools, including a shower hose, and a higher risk of HIV infection when engaging in sex without barrier methods. Other studies have found that anal douching may injure the rectal mucosa and the lining of the rectum, increasing the risk of HIV and other infections.

However, more long-term studies are necessary to clarify the association between anal douching and increased risk of infection. Researchers suggest that the transmission of HIV anal douching gay men other STIs may be due to factors other than or in addition to anal douching.

These factors may include prolonged sexual encounters and the use of recreational drugs. A person can discuss the possible risks with a healthcare professional or undergo testing to rule out potential infections. If a person decides to anal douche, they can take steps to make the experience safer and avoid certain potential risks.

The safest liquid for anal douching is saline, a water mixture that a person can purchase with certain types of enema or make at home using a cup of water and half a teaspoon of salt. A person should ensure that the water is a safe temperature for the sensitive intestine and colon, which means below lukewarm.

Frequently using tap water for anal douching may cause an electrolyte imbalancewhich could affect the proper functioning of the rectum, intestine, and colon. A person should never use household cleaners, alcohol, soap, olive oil, or any other liquid to douche.

Using liquids not intended for anal douching can cause serious damage and result in major health issues. A person should use safe douching equipment, such as a fleet enema or anal douche bulb, as well as proper lubrication. They should gently and slowly insert the nozzle of the douche to avoid tearing.

The water does not need to reach the intestines to flush out the rectum. The quantity of water that an enema bulb holds is sufficient to clean out the rectum in preparation for anal sex. Anal douching too often can damage the intestinal lining and increase the risk of infection, even when a person uses appropriate equipment and liquid.

If possible, a person should limit anal douching to once a day or 2 to 3 days a week.

Gay Guys: You’re Douching Wrong

Regular STI testing plays a significant role in ensuring that people stay safe when having sex. Anal sex has a higher risk of spreading STIs than many other types of sex. People should protect their health using a condom and preexposure prophylaxis PrEP.