(034) Lifetime Receptive Anal Intercourse Exposure Influences Pelvic Sensations During Sex

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Despite the negative societal stigma on receptive anal intercourse (RAI), this behavior has a positive influence on individuals’ sexual and relationship health. No large studies have previously looked at the sensations experienced during RAI, especially their association with lifelong exposure. Objective This study aims to quantify commonly reported pelvic sensations during RAI and determine whether their presentation changes with increasing experience to RAI. Methods An internet survey was conducted on sensations felt during RAI among people with prostates (i.e. cis men and trans women) from July 2022-January 2023. The survey content was developed based on a mixed-methods qualitative study and inquired about demographic and sexual histories as well as sensations (pleasure, pain, urinary, and bowel) experienced during RAI. We used descriptive statistics to describe demographic and sexual histories. All data was stratified by lifetime exposure to RAI. The primary outcomes assessed included both the quantification of the primary sensations experience during RAI and associated bother. Results 975 participants completed the survey. Nine percent reported less than 10 experiences with RAI, 26% reported 11-50 RAI experiences, 32% reported 51-200 experiences, 16% reported 201-500 experiences, and 18% reported >500 experiences. As the number of experiences with RAI increased (from <10 exposures to >500 exposures), the reported frequency of pleasurable sensation and satisfaction with pleasure at the level of anus increased from 41% to 92% (p<0.0001), whereas severe pain and symptoms of bowel urgency decreased from 39% to 13% and from 21% to 6% respectively (p<0.0001). Urinary urgency sensation did not differ by lifetime RAI experience. Conclusions Lifetime exposure to RAI is positively associated with pleasure and is negatively associated with pain and bowel urgency. Pelvic sensations experienced during RAI appear to be dependent on lifetime RAI exposure history regardless of age. Lifetime RAI exposure can be readily assessed and correlates not only with pelvic sensation but also many other aspects of sexual health. These results imply that the etiology of dissatisfaction with pleasure or anodyspareunia during RAI may be distinct by lifetime RAI exposure status. This is the first study assessing pelvic sensations experienced during RAI among a large sample of individuals. This is a cross-sectional study, and we cannot conclude how pelvic sensations change overtime among individuals. Internet based participants may not be representative of clinical populations. Disclosure No.