Relationship between pelvic sensations and lifetime exposure to receptive anal intercourse among people with prostates

• Published in: Journal of sexual medicine 2023-08, Vol.20 (9), p.1195-1205
• Main Authors: Gaither, Thomas W, Siapno, Allen E D, Kianian, Reza, Vincent, Nathan, Williams, Kristen C, Piquerias, Eduardo, Russell, Marcia M, Litwin, Mark S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1743-6095; 1743-6109
• DOI: 10.1093/jsxmed/qdad099

Despite the negative stigma on receptive anal intercourse (RAI), this behavior has a positive influence on individuals' sexual and relationship health. No large studies have previously looked at specific sensations experienced during RAI and how these sensations may change with experience. In this study we aimed to quantify commonly reported pelvic sensations during RAI and determine whether their presentation changes with increasing experience of RAI. An internet survey was conducted on sensations felt during RAI among people with prostates from July 2022-January 2023. The survey content was developed based on a mixed-methods qualitative study and inquired about demographic and sexual histories as well as sensations (pleasure, pain, urinary, and bowel) experienced during RAI. We used descriptive statistics to describe demographic and sexual histories. All data were stratified by lifetime exposure to RAI. The primary outcomes assessed included the quantification of both the primary sensations experienced during RAI and the associated bother. In total, 975 participants completed the survey. The median age was 32 (range 18-78) years. The average age of first participation in RAI was 21 ± 6.6 years. Most respondents were having sex at least once a week (65%). Nine percent of respondents reported fewer than 10 experiences with RAI, 26% reported 11-50 RAI experiences, 32% reported 51-200 experiences, 16% reported 201-500 experiences, and 18% reported >500 experiences. As the number of experiences with RAI increased (from 500 exposures), the reported frequency of pleasurable sensation increased from 41% to 92% (P