Anal Intercourse among Heterosexual Young Adults: A Population-Based Survey in Switzerland

Abstract

Anal intercourse (AI) among heterosexuals is an understudied and taboo subject. This 2017 Swiss national study aims to describe the characteristics and motivations of heterosexual young adults practicing AI. Participants with any same-sex experience, same-sex attraction or non-heterosexual identity were excluded. The Federal Statistical Office provided the initial sample and potential participants were recruited through postal mail inviting them to an online survey (response rate 15.1%). According to our research question, the sample used in this paper constituted of 3892 participants (52% males; 54% of the overall sample, mean age 26.3 years). Overall, 55% of women and 56% of men had never experienced AI, respectively 17% and 12% had done it once and 28% and 32% more than once. We found that participants engaging in AI had higher odds of practicing intercourse while intoxicated, being younger at first sexual experience, not using condom at last intercourse and reporting a history of sexual transmitted infections. The main reason reported by both genders for engaging in their first AI was being curious followed by being in love. In conclusion, AI is a widespread practice among heterosexual young adults and health professionals should be especially attentive to it.

Sexual behaviors at home and abroad: an online survey of Canadian young adult travelers

“…Further, almost 15% engaged in anal sex which, as discussed, is associated with higher STBBI transmission risk [ 48 ]. Anal sex is now considered common among young heterosexual women, associated with early sexual debut, high number of sexual partners, and intoxicated during intercourse [ 61 ]. As women face differential risks of acquiring STBBI [ 14 ], which then represents a significant threat to future fertility [ 9 , 12 ], pre-travel sexual health promotion should include comprehensive discussions of all sexual practices.…”

Sexual activities and experiences in women who underwent genital cosmetic surgery: a cross-sectional study using data from the German Health and Sexuality Survey (GeSiD)

“…The extent to which the more frequent engagement in anal intercourse during the last sexual encounter indicates a difference in preference for or enjoyment of anal sexual stimulation needs to be explored in further detail, especially considering the predominating neglect of pleasure from heterosexual anal sex in existing research [32]. However, available studies found that men rated the experience of anal intercourse as significantly more pleasurable than women [33], that women had engaged in anal intercourse following their partner's request [34], pressure or coercion [35,36], and that anal intercourse in women was associated with having participated in sexual intercourse unwillingly [37,38] and with supporting views around male dominance [38]. In correspondence with the description of FGCS as a way of creating 'prototypical' genitalia to counter perceived 'abnormality' or gender ambiguity [39,40], a more frequent engagement in anal intercourse could also point to a tendency in women with FGCS to adhere to societal norms on gender and sexual agency (e.g., men being the initiators of sexual activities and women the 'gatekeepers'; or women having to cater to men's sexual 'needs' or 'entitlement' to sex).…”

Sexualverhalten und Prävention sexuell übertragbarer Infektionen unter Berücksichtigung der SARS-CoV-2-Pandemie. Daten aus einem Versorgungszentrum für sexuelle Gesundheit und Medizin – WIR

“…Die in allen Kohorten hohen Raten an symptomlosen und steigenden STI-Inzidenzen weisen auf die Wichtigkeit risikoadaptierter STI-Testungen hin. Geringere Kondomnutzung, geänderte Sexualpraktiken, teils mit Chemsex, können einen Erklärungsansatz liefern [40][41][42]. Bei der Geschlechterverteilung der STI fällt auf, dass CT-und MG-Infektionen bei Männern und Frauen in der IA und 6 Die Autor*innen sehen zwischen den Kalenderjahren 2019 und 2020 einen relevanten AnstiegvonverschiedenenSTI,wobei es sichum Beobachtungen ohne statistische Auswertung handelt.…”

“…Die Daten der IA weisen darauf hin, dass STI-Abstriche aus 3 Lokalisationen -oral, anal, genital -erfolgen sollten, da anderenfalls bis zu zwei Drittel der Infektionen nicht diagnostiziert werden. Da immer mehr Sexualkontakte in der Gesamtpopulation anal und oral, letztere fast immer ohne Kondom, stattfinden, ist für die Gesamtbevölkerung Aufklärung notwendig [6,[42][43][44].…”