Dear Cutie4You518,

Anal sex can hurt if partners do not take certain steps. The anus does not usually produce enough lubrication for comfortable anal sex, so it is important to use an artificial water-based lubricant — like K-Y jelly or Astroglide — for anal sex. (Using an oil-based lubricant, like Vaseline, can damage latex condoms.)

It is also important to stop if anything hurts and communicate with your partner about how you feel — sex play that is painful or uncomfortable should not continue.

As with first vaginal intercourse, first anal intercourse is more comfortable with finger play before the penis is inserted. But not all people enjoy anal intercourse. Those who don't enjoy it should not be embarrassed and should not force themselves to accept it.

Many people however, do enjoy anal sex and think it's perfectly normal. However, like unprotected vaginal intercourse, unprotected anal intercourse is high-risk for many sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhea, HIV, chlamydia, syphilis, herpes, HPV, and hepatitis. Use condoms during anal sex to decrease the risk of sexually transmitted infections.