Anal Sex Practices and Rectal Erogenous Zones: An Anatomic Questionnaire Based Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction There is a lack of research that explores the prevalence, pleasure, and erogenous zones associated with anal sex. Objective To report the results of a cross-sectional study questionnaire that queries receptive anal intercourse (RAI) (e.g., when a partner inserts any part of themselves, like a penis, finger, tongue, or toy into their anus). Methods We used an anonymous online survey platform (Qualtrics), to query respondents’ experiences with RAI. Respondents who reported a history of ever engaging in RAI were asked questions about their ability to orgasm from RAI. These respondents were further shown anatomic illustrations of the rectum divided into four quadrants and were asked to designate regions they found “pleasurable when touched during sex.” Respondent demographics were collected and used to analyze data by gender identity, age, and sexuality. Chi-squared tests were used to evaluate the statistical differences between cisgender men (CM) and cisgender women (CW). Statistically significant differences existed where P<0.05. Results A total of 489 CM (mean age ± SD, 46.3 ± 17.5 years) and 501 CW (48.1 ± 16 years) completed the survey. Comparative analysis revealed CW were significantly more likely to endorse ever engaging in RAI, as compared to CM (34% vs 24%, p=0.00181). By different age groups: middle-aged CW [40-59 yo] were significantly more likely to endorse RAI (and older [>60yo] CM were significantly less likely; 41% vs. 20% respectively, p=0.00122). By sexuality: bisexual CM (73%), homosexual CM (40%), and homosexual CW (41%) were significantly more likely to report engaging in RAI while heterosexual CM (18%) were significantly less likely to endorse it (p<0.00001). By ability to orgasm: CM were significantly more likely to endorse achieving orgasm from RAI alone, as compared to CW (38.5% vs 18.6% respectively, p<0.001). By erogenous zone location: the superficial aspects of the rectum were more frequently selected by CM and CW as sites of pleasure when touched during RAI, as compared to the deep aspects (39% vs 14.6%). Also, respondents more frequently selected the anterior aspects of the rectum over the posterior aspects (36.6% vs 28.3%). Conclusions Our findings show that anal sex is practiced by many adults, across age, gender and sexual identity categories. Universally, both more CM and CW report pleasure from the superficial areas of the rectum. These findings may prove useful in elucidating the practice of RAI to improve patient sexual satisfaction. Disclosure No