Anal-oral contact, also referred to as anal-oral sex, rimming, or anilingus (from anus and lingua), is a form of oral sex involving contact between the anus or perineum of one person and the mouth of another.

Technique

Anilingus involves a variety of techniques to stimulate the anal area including kissing, licking, and sliding the tongue in and out of the anal opening.^[1] Pleasure for the receiver comes from the sensitive nerve endings surrounding the anal opening, which are typically stimulated by the tongue and lips.

Health risks and prevention

There are many health problems that can result from practicing unsafe rimming, because of the presence of bacteria, viruses or parasites on or in the anus or rectum. These include Hepatitis A, Hepatitis C, intestinal parasites, chlamydia, human papillomavirus (HPV), gonorrhea, herpes, and other sexually transmitted diseases.^[2] Applying the mouth to the genitals immediately after applying it to the anus can inadvertently introduce the bacterium Escherichia coli ("E. coli") into the urethra, causing a urinary tract infection. HIV/AIDS is not believed to be easily transmitted through rimming, but experts assert that there is a risk of acquiring HIV from rimming.^[3]

Frequent rimming with casual partners increases the health risks associated with the practice. Generally people carrying infections that may be passed on during rimming will appear healthy. If the couple knows that each of them has a healthy background, there is less risk of catching one of the serious viruses or parasites. Parasites may be in the feces if badly cooked meat was consumed. Hepatitis A traces in feces only apply if the infected person has eaten contaminated food. Hepatitis C is rare although possible if the receiver has trace amounts of infected blood through his/her anus or feces.

If the receiving partner has wounds or open sores on their genitals, or if the giving partner has wounds or open sores on or in their mouth, or bleeding gums, this poses an increased risk of STD transmission. Brushing the teeth, flossing, undergoing dental work, or eating crunchy foods such as crisps relatively soon before or after performing anilingus also increases the risk of transmission, because all of these activities can cause small scratches on the inside of the lips, cheeks and palate. These wounds, even when they are microscopic, increase the chances of contracting STDs that can be transmitted orally under these conditions. Such contact can also lead to more mundane infections from common bacteria and viruses found in, around and secreted from the genital regions.

HPV and oral cancer link

In 2005, a research study at the College of Malmö in Sweden suggested that performing unprotected oral sex on a person infected with human papillomavirus (HPV) might increase the risk of an oral cancer . The study found that 36 percent of the cancer patients had HPV compared to only 1 percent of the healthy control group. ^[4]

Another recent study suggests a correlation between oral sex and throat cancer. It is believed that this is due to the transmission of HPV because this virus has been implicated in the majority of cervical cancers. The study concludes that people who had one to five oral sex partners in their lifetime had approximately a doubled risk of throat cancer compared with those who never engaged in this activity and those with more than five oral-sex partners had a 250% increased risk.^[5]

Prevention

Owing to disease risks, many medical professionals advise the use of dental dams when performing or receiving anilingus with a partner whose STD status is unknown. A makeshift dental dam can be made out of a condom (instructions). Using a real dental dam is preferable, because real dental dams are larger, and the makeshift version may be accidentally poked with the scissors during the cutting procedure. Plastic wrap may also be used, but this is less preferable because the thickness dulls sensation. Certain kinds of plastic wrap are manufactured with tiny holes to allow venting during microwaving, which may allow transmission of pathogens.

Anal-oral contact in popular culture

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrote a 1782 canon titled Leck mich im Arsch (Lick Me in the Ass).^[6]
• The Howard Stern Show executive producer Gary Dell'Abate has admitted on numerous occasions that he enjoys oral-anal contact, both giving and receiving.^[7]
• Among other sexual acts stated in the Starr Report, Monica Lewinsky and Bill Clinton "engaged in oral-anal contact as well".^[8]
• Anal-oral contact was parodied in the movie South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut. In the movie, the mothers of the boys come to Mr. Mackey's office, for the boys had been swearing in class. Mr. Mackey then gave a list of the words the boys said to Kyle's mom. She then asked "What the heck is a rim job?", in which Cartman's mom said "Why, that's when you put your legs behind your head and have someone lick your ass!", which made the others stare.
• In Pasolini's film Salò o le 120 giornate di Sodoma, anal–oral contact features multiple times, mostly between the 'men of power'.
• Madonna is depicted having an anal-oral contact with a man in her erotic book Sex. Illustration
• In the song, "Moist Vagina" by Nirvana, the lyrics contain references to oral-anal contact. A portion of the lyrics: "I've been sucking the walls of her anus, Anilingus!"

References

See also

• Oral sex
• Anal sex
• Coprophagy

External links

• Article on health risks of anilingus