Anal sex is where a man’s penis enters the anus of his partner (female or male).
It’s important to use condoms when having anal sex as it is still possible to transmit sexually transmitted infections and also for a woman to get pregnant if semen comes in to contact with the vagina.
It is also important to use water-based lubricant for anal sex because the anus isn’t self-lubricating.
To find out more and to get free advice and condoms you can visit your local sexual health clinic or speak to your GP.
How can I make anal sex safer?
Use condoms to help protect you against STIs when you have penetrative anal sex.
Use a water-based lubricant, which is available from pharmacies. Oil-based lubricants (such as lotion and moisturiser) can cause latex condoms to break or fail.
Male and female couples should use a new condom if they have vaginal sex straight after anal sex. This is to avoid transferring bacteria from the anus to the vagina, which may lead to a urinary infection.