Rimming, eating ass, tossing the salad… there’s a whole lot of names for anilingus. And even though many of us do it – gay, straight, bi, top, bottom – it’s not something you’d ask your doctor about. Luckily for you, we’re not your regular clinician.
Why do people eat ass? Well, we’ve got a lot of nerve endings down there! When these get stimulated it feels good. And getting your partner off can be just as much of a turn-on, so it’s fun for all involved. Some people might also not be into penetration (hi, sides) but want to branch out from BJs. There’s a hole lot of reasons! See what we did there?
Whether you’re curious about eating ass or a seasoned anilinguist, we’re here to give you the low-down on going down. Read on for Freddie’s guide to rimming, including what the risks are and how to reduce them.
Before you start
For the love of god, shower. If there’s a chance your ass will be on the menu, then you’d better be using clean dishes. It can also help lower the risk of some infections (scroll down for more on these).
What are the risks of rimming?
Like any kind of oral sex, eating ass can pose a risk for STI transmission. Are STIs inevitable when you’re having sex? No! But they do exist, and it’s good to know about them. Remember: not all STIs have symptoms, so regular testing is essential.
When it comes to rimming, there can also be a risk for some infections that aren’t traditionally considered STIs. These can be transmitted during ass play when microscopic amounts of faeces (poop) that carry the infection get into your mouth.
STI risk when eating ass varies depending on the type of infection and whether you’re doing the eating or vice versa. Here’s a quick run-through:
Amebiasis
Amebiasis is caused by a parasite that affects the intestine. It can cause abdominal cramps, bloating, and pain, and either bloody or non-bloody diarrhea. In rare cases it can cause more serious bowel and liver issues. You can get amebiasis from eating someone’s ass but not from having your ass eaten. It can be treated with oral antibiotics.
Chlamydia
As well as your genitals, you can get chlamydia in your mouth/throat or your ass. This means it can be transmitted both ways during rimming. However, it’s less common to transmit it through rimming than other kinds of sex. It can be treated with oral antibiotics.
Giardia
Giardia is a tiny parasite that lives in your intestine, and it can cause symptoms like cramps, nausea and diarrhea. You can get giardia from eating someone’s ass, but not from having your ass eaten. It can be treated with oral antibiotics.
Gonorrhea
As well as your genitals, you can get gonorrhea in your mouth/throat or your ass. This means it can be transmitted both ways during rimming. However, it’s less common to transmit it through rimming than other kinds of sex. It can be treated with an antibiotic injection.
HPV
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus that can cause genital warts and some cancers (like head, neck, penile, cervical and anal cancers). It can be transmitted both ways through rimming, especially if someone has active anal warts. HPV can’t be cured but in many cases the body will clear the virus after a few years. Warts can be removed at a sexual health clinic or by a dermatologist. There is a vaccine that helps prevent warts and cancer from nine different strains of HPV.
Herpes
The herpes virus can be transmitted both ways through rimming, especially if someone has an outbreak of sores on their mouth or ass. There’s no cure for the virus but outbreaks can be managed with topical and oral medications.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a virus that affects the liver. It is transmitted when tiny amounts of faeces (poop), even amounts you can’t see, get into your mouth. This can happen through contaminated food, dirty water or utensils, or sex involving ass play.
Hepatitis A causes an acute illness that lasts a few weeks, with symptoms including fatigue, nausea, joint pain, dark urine, and jaundice (yellow skin). Most people will recover fully from the virus in a few months without needing treatment. There’s no treatment for hepatitis A, but there’s a vaccine to help prevent hepatitis A and its complications.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is another virus that affects the liver, and it can be transmitted through all kinds of sex including rimming. It causes an acute illness that lasts a few weeks, with symptoms including fatigue, nausea, joint pain, dark urine, and jaundice (yellow skin).
Most people will recover fully from the virus in a few months without needing treatment. A small number of people may develop a long-term infection that needs treatment. There’s a vaccine to help prevent hepatitis B infection and its complications.
Shigella
Shigella is a bacterial infection that affects the intestines, and it can cause symptoms like cramps, nausea and bloody diarrhea. You can get shigella from eating someone’s ass, but not from having your ass eaten. It can be treated with oral antibiotics.
Syphilis
Syphilis can be transmitted through any kind of sex, especially if there’s contact between a syphilis sore or lesion and another person’s skin. It can be treated with an antibiotic injection.
HIV is not transmitted through rimming, whether you’re giving or receiving.
Reducing risks when you eat ass
The only way to completely eliminate STI risk is to not have sex at all. For most of us, this isn’t very realistic! If you are having sex, there are some ways you can lower this risk of STI transmission.
Barriers
Latex barriers like condoms and dental dams can help prevent transmission of some STIs. To use a condom for rimming, slice it open along the shaft and lay it flat. If you apply lube to the ass before placing the barrier on top, this can increase sensation and make it feel better.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations can prevent hepatitis A and B and are often available for free to queer men and trans people who were born with a penis or are part of this community. Ask your clinician, local sexual health clinic or public health unit for more information.
Vaccines are also available against HPV – these either protect against four or nine strains of the virus, depending on which type you get. These strains are the most common ones associated with warts and cancers. However, the HPV vaccine won’t treat any strains of the virus you may already have in your body. Depending on where you live, the vaccine may be free. Ask your clinician, sexual health clinic or public health unit for more information.
DoxyPEP
DoxyPEP is where you take a single dose of the antibiotic doxycycline (200mg, usually two pills or capsules) after sex without a barrier (e.g. dental dam) to help prevent some STIs. You take DoxyPEP within 72 hours after sex, but ideally within 24 hours. It is only effective against chlamydia and syphilis – but it is not 100% effective, so regular testing is essential. Read our guide to learn more.
Shower beforehand
Cleaning your ass with soap and warm water may lower the risk of transmitting infections like giardia, shigella, and amebiasis. But remember: soap is designed for external use only, and it can irritate your ass if it gets inside. Do not douche with it.
Showering is less effective as a prevention method than barriers like dental dams.
Do it before other kinds of sex
Eating ass before bottoming or other kinds of anal play can also lower the risk of transmitting giardia, shigella, and amebiasis. This is because once things go in and out your ass, germs can get everywhere! Rimming before other activities may help reduce risk.
Again, this is less effective as a prevention method than barriers.
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