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Academy Award-winning actor Gwyneth Paltrow published a Q-and-A article titled “Reality Check: Anal Sex” on her perennially-questionable website, Goop.
The questions are answered by Paul Joannides, research psychoanalyst and author of the book on sexuality, ‘The Guide to Getting It On!’ According to the website, Joannides said this about anal sex:
“First it was shocking, then it was having a cultural moment, now it’s practically standard in the modern bedroom repertoire—or so a quick scan of any media, from porn to HBO, will tell you. But the reality about anal is not, actually, that everyone’s doing it.”
If a trend, act, or anything considered remote to heterosexual lifestyle became a staple or validated by more than one show on HBO, then it can be understood as a real thing that’s happening and straight people need to get on top of that.
Joannides said that “heterosexual anal” started to become a “thing” when porn decided to feature scenes with anal sex on them. Before giving his answer, the doctor even blessed the reader with a glimpse of life before Netflix by explaining what a videotape is.
Joannides provided an introductory guide for straight couples on how to have anal sex:
‘The way the rectum curves shortly after the opening tells us we need to make a lot of adjustments for anal to feel good. Also, the two sets of sphincter muscles that nature placed around the opening of the anus to help humans maintain their dignity when in crowded spaces (to keep poop from dropping out) mean there’s an automatic reflex if you push against them from the outside.
“So, one of the first things a woman or man needs to do if they want to be on the receiving end of anal sex is to teach their sphincter muscles to relax enough that a penis can get past their gates. This takes a lot of practice.
“Also, unlike the vagina, the anus provides no lubrication. So, in addition to teaching the sphincters to relax, and in addition to getting the angle right so you don’t poke the receiver in the wall of the rectum, you need to use lots of lube.”
Joannides also warned women, who are most likely the readers and patrons of Paltrow’s expensive website, about the health risk of doing anal. He said that getting sexually transmitted disease goes up 17 times when doing anal than vaginal intercourse.
So, remember to use protection and wash everything before you try something different. It may seem exciting and adventurous. But always be wary of not only the health risks, but the potential long-term causes it can give to you or to your partner.
