There are a lot of myths about anal sex. Some of them are based in truth, but many are completely false and can prevent us from trying a new sex act that we could really enjoy.
So today we're going to dispel some of the most common myths about anal sex and help you separate fact from fiction.
Myth #1: Anal sex is not pleasurable for the receiving partner.
This is the reality: False .
It is often thought that anal sex is only enjoyable for the person who is penetrating, and not for the person being penetrated. Fortunately, this is not true!
“All people, all sexualities and all genders have plenty of pleasurable nerve endings and erectile tissue in the anus,” says sexologist Georgia Grace.
"In fact, the anus has the second highest concentration of nerve endings in your body - the clitoris is the first.
Because of this high concentration of nerve endings, anal sex can be very pleasurable for the receiving partner.
But it's not just penetrative sex that can provide pleasurable sensations. There are plenty of ways to stimulate and arouse all those nerves, even if penetration isn't your thing.
Try using a toy or your fingers on your (or your partner's) anus; or experiment with massaging, rimming, or stimulating the perineum: the soft tissue between the anus and the balls or vulva.
“Anal pleasure is the unsung hero of sex,” says Georgia. “It can be deeply pleasurable, orgasmic and incredibly relaxing.
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Myth #2: Anal sex is painful.
Reality: It can be, but it shouldn't be.
The ring of muscles at the base of the anus can be very tight, and yes, trying to force something into those muscles can cause pain. But with the right approach, anal sex doesn't have to be painful at all.
“Unless you or your partner are deliberately trying to add pain to your sexual experience, pain should never be a factor in sex,” says Georgia. “There are many things you can do to have enjoyable anal sex.
When it comes to anal sex, slow is best. If you are penetrating a partner or yourself, go very slowly and never try to overcome any resistance or pain you may be feeling.
If something hurts, it's a sign to stop what you're doing and try again another time.
“Anal sex – and all sex, really – is usually portrayed as hard, fast fucking,” Georgia says.
"It can be enjoyable in the right context and with enough arousal, but it's only one way to practice anal sex. Start slowly and slow down even more. Then, when you feel good, play around with speed and rhythm.
And don't forget the lube. Which brings us to our next myth...
Myth #3: You don't need lube for anal sex.
Fact: False.
In porn movies, couples don't often use lube, but that doesn't mean lube isn't necessary for anal sex.
Unlike the vagina, the anus is not self-lubricating, so it is very, very important to use lube when experimenting with anal penetration.
The lubricant reduces friction, which reduces the risk of injuries, such as skin tears.
Lube can also be helpful for external anal stimulation: if you're just massaging the perineum, for example, lube can help keep things nice and slippery.
The general rule is: however much lube you think you need, double it. Always lube for anal - your body will thank you later.
Myth #4: Liking anal play makes you “gay.”
Reality: False.
This myth is false. However, we want to clarify that even if it were true, there is absolutely nothing wrong with being homosexual.
We want to counter this belief because we believe it is based on the assumption that "being gay" is a bad thing, which is not true.
We also think it can make a lot of people - especially straight people - nervous or ashamed about experimenting with ass, and we never want anyone to feel bad about exploring their sexuality in a healthy, happy way.
Anal sex can be incredibly pleasurable, and the prostate can add a whole new dimension to that pleasure. We wouldn't want anyone to miss out on this if they're interested in giving it a try.
The only thing that makes you gay is deciding, for yourself, that you are gay. Everything else, like liking anal play or penetration, is just a small personal characteristic in the vast universe of things that make you you.
"Let's be clear," says Georgia, "liking anal sex doesn't say anything about your sexuality. Your anus is an erogenous zone and it just feels good to touch."
And if you're not totally convinced, let's look at the statistics: a 2003 Australian survey found that nearly 5% of people had tried anal sex the last time they had heterosexual sex. Lots of heterosexuals try and enjoy anal sex - let's not stop ourselves from enjoying it too. 
Myth #5: Anal sex can be messy.
Reality: Maybe!
There is no doubt about it: the anus is where feces come from, and when you put something inside the anus, you run the risk of getting feces in there.
The good news is that there probably won't be many.
Poop is not stored in the part of the anus that is usually reached by a finger, toy or penis - it is located much higher up.
Poop is stored in the colon until it is full. At that point, it moves down into the rectum and our brain receives a signal that the rectum needs to be emptied.
When we go to the toilet, poop passes through the anus to exit our body, so there may be some traces left behind if we engage in anal play or penetration afterwards.
But we are unlikely to spontaneously poop on our partner or toy, because that amount of poop is not stored within reach.
If you are worried about pooping during anal sex, we recommend going to the bathroom before sex and cleaning yourself with unscented baby wipes or a very mild soap.
You can also try douching if you want. But ultimately, our bodies are unpredictable and we can't always control every part of ourselves.
Hopefully everyone has a partner who is mature enough to understand that sometimes a little pooping during anal sex is inevitable—if they can't accept that, it might be time to eliminate the partner, not the poop.
Myth #6: Anal sex requires lots and lots of preparation.
Reality: ...sort of.
The internet is full of articles that recommend preparing for anal sex by taking fiber supplements weeks in advance or doing a complete colon cleanse the night before.
We don't think such preparation is necessary (but if it's something you enjoy, feel free to try).
The most important anal preparation, in our opinion, is to talk to your partner, clarify your boundaries, discuss what each of you might enjoy, and decide what you'll do if one of you wants to stop.
Having these kinds of open and honest conversations is very important before trying a new sex act, and it can only benefit you during the act.
“Whether you’re giving or receiving, it’s important to talk about it first. And if it’s a new experience, discuss your boundaries, your gray areas, and your curiosities,” says Georgia.
A chat with your partner, some lube and a quick shower beforehand, that's the kind of anal preparation we recommend.
Myth #7: You don't need protection for anal sex.
Fact: False.
Technically, it is not possible to get pregnant from anal sex because the reproductive organs and the anus are not connected.
If someone ejaculates into your anus, their ejaculate (or sperm, in other words) cannot travel through the body and end up in the uterus to fertilize an egg - there is simply no passage for it to get there.
However, pregnancy can still occur if semen enters the vagina in another way, such as on a person's fingers, hands, toys, or mouth, or if it leaks from another part of the body.
STIs can also be transmitted through anal sex and through the transfer of bodily fluids such as semen in the anus onto the hands, mouth or a toy.
We always recommend using protection, such as condoms, during anal sex. If you and your partner decide to stop using protection for each other, we recommend getting tested for STIs before going without protection, but remember that pregnancy can still occur during anal sex and another form of contraception may be necessary.
Myth #8: You can get hurt from anal sex.
Fact: It's unlikely, but it can happen.
We've all heard the horror stories of people who tried anal sex once and were never able to go to the bathroom comfortably again!
We believe these stories are just myths, but we want to stress that if you use the wrong type of toy for anal penetration, go too hard or too fast, or don't use enough lube, you risk injuring yourself.
The delicate skin of the anus can be torn by sharp objects (like fingernails and sharp bits of plastic) and friction (caused by excessive rubbing and insufficient lubrication), so our advice to "go easy and use plenty of lubrication" will go a long way to preventing any potential injuries.
Another common injury can be caused by using the wrong type of toy for anal penetration.
Anal toys should always have a flared base at one end, so that the toy does not fully penetrate the anus - if it does, it may travel up into the colon and will need to be removed by a healthcare professional.
Myth #9: Anal sex is all about penetration.
Reality: False.
Penetration, whether with a penis or a toy, can certainly play an important role in anal sex, but there's more to anal sex than just penetration.
“Anal sex isn’t just about hard, fast penetration,” Georgia explains. “Penetration is just one type of anal sex. There are so many different ways to have anal sex, and it can involve devices, fingers, penises, etc.
Anal sex can also include things like rimming (kissing or licking the anus), touching and caressing the buttocks and area around the anus, or penetration with a finger or small toy.
If the idea of being penetrated by a relatively large object doesn't appeal to you, don't worry: there are plenty of other ways to use the pleasure center that is the anus!
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Myth #10: Everyone loves anal sex.
Reality: False!
We are big fans of anal and highly recommend you give it a try if you are interested.
But we're fully aware that not everyone likes anal: some people never want to try it, some people have tried it once and didn't like it, and some people only like certain elements of anal - some like rimming but hate penetration, for example.
Don't let yourself be fooled into thinking that everyone else is having amazing, wild anal sex except you.
If anal isn't on your bucket list, that's totally okay. There are endless other ways to explore your body solo or with a partner that are sexy, fulfilling, and just as enjoyable as anal sex. Promise.