We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. A little prep work and some patience could mean the difference between pleasure and pain when it comes to backdoor fun. Without enough lubrication , the friction created by dry penetration is painful and can even cause tiny tears in the delicate skin of the anus. Those are some pretty tight quarters back there because the muscles in the anus are meant to be closed tight to keep things in.

If you're curious about anal sex, you're far from alone. It may seem taboo, but behind closed doors, it turns out that more than 1 in 3 women ages 19 to 44 have tried anal sex at least once, according to a survey published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. That said, it's probably not a regular Saturday night thing. But a few things are clear: Before you try it, it's worth taking time to discuss what to know, what to avoid, and how to prepare for anal sex to make the experience amazing. Here, sex experts share what you need to know if you're interested in trying it out.

Back to Sexual health. When a woman has vaginal sex for the first time, it can be a little painful. You may also have some bleeding, but this isn't always the case. If bleeding happens, it's usually because your hymen has been broken during sexual intercourse.