Let's just get right to it: Anal sex can be totally safe—and all taboos about it really need to go away like, yesterday. This is not a rare activity! While she says that research on the whole "is anal sex safe" question is limited, more than 20 percent of women ages 20 to 39 have had anal sex. That said, there are some factors that may get in the way of safe anal sex. There's certainly a risk of tearing, especially if you're new to anal sex. But there are some simple things you can do—like starting with a small butt plug and working your way up to a penis, or using lube—to minimize the chances. Check out our Ultimate Anal Sex Guide for all the tips.

Plus the one precaution you should always take. While research suggests anal isn't quite as prevalent as pop culture might suggest—a study found that just To find out more, we spoke with ob-gyn Lauren F. There are a few risks involved with anal that women need to know, she says. Streicher points out.

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. As more couples explore this type of sex, understanding the risks, rewards, and proper strategy is important. According to the Centers for Disease Control CDC , anal sex is primarily growing in popularity with couples under age