Rimming 101

[Anonym]

I've been with my boyfriend for 9 months now and we've been having (protected) sex for 8 of those months, starting from when he got a clean bill of health from a standard UK sexual health clinic. I was a virgin until that point, making me more or less guaranteed clean. I am confident that the relationship has been entirely monogamous.

We both want to try (unprotected) rimming but we're uncertain as to the level of risk to a couple with our particular set of circumstances. I'm aware that there are organisms that can live harmlessly in your gut and faeces yet wreak havoc if they escape to other parts of your body, and I'm aware that certain incurable STDs can be transferred through this act, and this does concern me since neither of us are entirely sure which STDs the sexual health clinic did and did not look for (I'm thinking of hepatitis in particular here).

Realistically, assuming that we take a dump first and then wash the anal region (and as far inside as we can reach) thoroughly with hot soapy water immediately before performing the act, how likely is it that we're going to have any significant problems? I find myself torn between the potential risks of parasites, hepatitis, and everything else that I've read about, and the fact that this is a widespread sexual practice that doesn't really seem to have a reputation for causing significant problems on its own.

Advice from anyone more experienced than myself would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks.

 

[onetwothreefour]

We probably all come in contact with some amount of fecal matter on a daily basis in unseen quantities. Theoretically, I don't see why a washed ass is much dirtier than a washed hand that has just been touching that ass as it washed it. And you would probably let your boyfriend suck your hand. Your hand is just a few sheets of toilet paper away from touching shit every time you clean yourself after a dump, and at that point you are only relying on soap and water to clean your hand. Having said that, I am not sure if I would wash inside your anus. I think the mucous membrane might absorb the chemicals of the soap which probably isn't great. But I'm not sure if you will be rimming inside the ass or just outside.

I've never rimmed, btw, these are just my musings. You could also rub down the area with rubbing alcohol swabs and let it dry of course. You might also want to use an alcohol-based mouthwash right afterward.

 

[midnight81]

Did anyone else giggle that he said "I find myself torn" while talking about asses? No? Just me.

Personally, I've eaten a lot of ass and I'm fine. Just make sure you're clean. Onetwothreefour is right...if you wash your ass, you're fine.

 

[KaraBulut]

Rimming is one of the more risky acts i terms of general hygeine. It's not something that I would recommend that you do with casual sex partners.

I'm aware that there are organisms that can live harmlessly in your gut and faeces yet wreak havoc if they escape to other parts of your body, and I'm aware that certain incurable STDs can be transferred through this act, and this does concern me since neither of us are entirely sure which STDs the sexual health clinic did and did not look for (I'm thinking of hepatitis in particular here).

Under the confines of a relationship that is monogamous, the risk is lower.

The hepatitis risk in this case is Hep A, by the way. If either of you were a carrier, you would have infected the other by now. Hep B and C are transmitted by body fluids, not feces.

Each person does have their own natural flora in their gastrointestinal system that is harmless to them- as long as it remains in the gut. What the studies show is that people who cohabitate or are in intimate relationships will begin to have the same bacteria in their gut. So, after 9 months the two of you have already exchanged bacteria.

Realistically, assuming that we take a dump first and then wash the anal region (and as far inside as we can reach) thoroughly with hot soapy water immediately before performing the act, how likely is it that we're going to have any significant problems? I find myself torn between the potential risks of parasites, hepatitis, and everything else that I've read about, and the fact that this is a widespread sexual practice that doesn't really seem to have a reputation for causing significant problems on its own.

That is probably overkill.

A regular shower should be enough. Just use soap and a washcloth and wash the area well. You only need to take a dump if you feel that there's something in your rectum (usually after a meal) - see the anal sex sticky for an explanation. If you have any gas, it's courtesy to expel that beforehand.

There are also flavored lubes that are available that are nice for this purpose.

Safer sex practices would tell you to use a dental dam. But with a long-term sex partner who has been tested and is monogamous, the dental dam is a personal choice. You might get one and try it and decide whether you want to use it.

But to reiterate a point- most of the guidelines about rimming assume that you are with a one-time trick or a casual partner. With a long-term relationship that is monogamous, you're in a lower risk category. You have to decide for yourself what level of risk is acceptable to you.

 

[Anonym]

Excellent advice, thank you. From what I gather, then, from within the confines of our existing relationship the risks amount to little more than a tiny chance of catching some kind of bacterial infection assuming that we keep the area clean by showering properly.

Does anyone out there have a different view?

Did anyone else giggle that he said "I find myself torn" while talking about asses? No? Just me.

lol, nice.

 

[EphGuy]

The biggest problem with rimming is actually diarrhea-inducing parasites, like giardia (a.k.a. 'wet-tail' or 'beaver fever') and entamoeba. Something like 10% of the U.S. population is asymptomatically infected with Giardia, with the incidence highest in rural areas. The older you are infected, the more likely you will develop symptomatic disease.

I love munching butt and do it in just about every sexual encounter. It's my favorite foreplay. Assholes are so freakin' beautiful: a little rosebud nestled between plump cheeks! Most boys go nuts when you lick their holes (and apparently so do women). I've never gotten a parasite. I may very well be one of those who are asymptomatally infected. But I know a lot of guys who have.

It's not lethal, and can be cured with a short course (5-7 days) of flagyl or a shorter one (1-3 days) of tindamax. But they usually have to get a stool sample to verify the diagnosis, and that's a pain.

 

[cabsterman]

It goes without saying that the rimmee would need to be washed with soap and water THOROUGHLY before a mouth touches that area. If that area is completely washed, and even inside a bit with no feces in the area, that would be the safest... unless after completely washed, and inside the rectal are and\or even cleaned with an enema, could there be bad bacteria(e-coli,hep A, etc) in the anal lining? If that's the case, then that would be bad!

I take a 10 billion+ probiotic daily to keep the intestinal flora and my immune system functioning properly. And eat a lot of yogurt, cottage cheese, sauerkraut, buttermilk too... all good for the digestive system.

Also... what can the rimmee "catch" from the rimmer? doesn't it go without saying that the bum should be completely washed but also the mouth area? what are the dangers of catching something from the rimmer?

 

[Benvolio]

There are a varity of mild antiseptics which would kill some, perhaps all, the organisms; vinegar, hydrgogen peroxide, alcohol (might sting), mouthwash, hand sanitizer (alcohol), or other commercial antiseptics.

 

[bike10]

Rimming begins as you and partner hit the shower work together get those bodies and man holes clean.

Next head to bed and assume 69.

 

[dog0810]

If you are so concerned about how clean you partner might be, shower or bathe together, clean him thoroughly, flush yourselves out as much as possible and I suggest as in my own personal tastes, shave the area desired clean of all pubic hair.