Rectum

Feces (bowel movements; human waste) are formed in the colon (the low part of the intestines) and rectum. The rectum is the intestinal tube-like structure that connects the colon to the anus (the opening to the outside).

Besides STDs like genital warts, HIV/AIDS, etc., anal intercourse means exposing the male urethra and penis to fecal material (e.g. human waste).

Human waste or excrement contains high amounts of bacteria; a normal amount of bacteria in the intestines is needed to break down wastes from what we eat and drink. One of the most prevalent bacteria in human feces is E-Coli. During anal sex, E-Coli can find its way into the urethra (male urinary opening) and cause a bladder infection. (If a bladder infection is severe or untreated, the bacteria can travel all the way to the kidneys and cause a kidney infection.)

The female urethra is very close to the vagina and anus. The urinary tube is shorter in a female (one reason females get more bladder infections and get many more bladder infections after vaginal intercourse). If feces or even a fecal smear (not even enough to be seen with the eyes) gets too close to the female's vagina or urethra, she can get a bladder and/or kidney infection. A large majority of bladder infections are caused by E-Coli bacteria.

There are many problems that can occur (especially for females) from having anal sex. Contamination to the vagina and vaginal infection, or a bladder infection in either males or females due to E-Coli is one of the most important risks and should not be ignored.

If you choose to take the risk of acquiring an STD or bacterial infection and have anal intercourse anyway, it's extremely important to practice good hygiene and common sense measures. For example:

• Both persons should wash beforehand.
• Don't have anal sex right after having a bowel movement (or your partner that you are entering just had a bowel movement).
• Wear a condom.
• This is very important: Don't cross-contaminate -- don't go from the anus to the vagina. Don't use the same condom you used for anal sex.
• Immediately after anal sex, wash your penis and wash your hands. Even if you wore a condom, E-Coli could be on the upper shaft of the penis or in your pubic hair.
• This is very important: If you digitally penetrate (digitally penetrate means inserting your finger), you MUST wear a finger-glove. E-Coli will get under fingernails ! Never digitally penetrate the anus if you have any open cut on your finger(s) or if your cuticle around your fingernail is red, has broken skin, or has any sores. If you bite your cuticles, wear a finger-glove. And even if you wear a finger-glove, you must wash your hands.
• This is very important: Never digitally penetrate the anus/rectum, and then digitally penetrate the vagina or touch the vaginal area. You *will* infect the female with E-Coli.
• This is very important: Never agree to receiving anal sex if you have hemorrhoids, have had bleeding (even slight bleeding) from a bowel movement, or have any anal irritation. Even slight bleeding after a bowel movement means there is a break in the mucosa (special skin of the anus; same skin as in your mouth). Bacteria can enter any breaks in the skin, or can enter the small capillaries around hemorrhoids and can cause a bacterial blood infection! A bacterial blood infection is serious, requires hospitalization, and IV antibiotics to completely cure it.
• Non-bleeding hemorrhoids can become irritated and start bleeding from the friction and pressure of anal intercourse or digital penetration. And then, E-Coli can enter the bloodstream.
• Remember, movement also moves bacteria and viruses around. So, during sex, the movements you make into and out of the anus brings bacteria outward. A bacteria like E-Coli that is naturally found in the rectum and intestines does not belong in the mouth, eyes, on the face, in the vagina, or in the urethra. Remember that E-Coli causes severe nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea if ingested (just like when fresh produce or other foods are contaminated with E-Coli). Males and females need to take precautions to avoid getting feces / E-Coli on or in parts of the body where it doesn't belong.
• Females in particular need to be diligent about making sure their partner washes his genitals and hands and insist on a condom.

Washing for females

For the same reasons, females should always remember to wipe and to wash from front to back only. Front-back, lift the washcloth away and rinse the cloth thoroughly. Then, do front to back again. With bathroom tissues, never wipe from "back to front" or you risk moving E-Coli from the outside anal area to the vaginal area or urethra.

Washing for males

If uncircumcised, males must pull the foreskin back and clean the head of the penis and all folds of skin. Then clean the penis and pubic area around the base of the penis (the pubic hair area).

Washing, for both males and females

Never skip steps of good, thorough hygiene! Use plenty of soapy water and rinse well, then dry the skin.

Sometimes objects can get stuck in your rectum and require surgery to remove.

If the object is still stuck, you need to see a doctor. If left alone, the object could damage the walls of the rectum, allowing bacteria to enter your bloodstream and cause infections.

Don't worry, you'll be surprised how many times a doctor deals with these cases.