Best Practices for Anal Cleansing

Navigating the back roads and back ends of intimacy requires smooth and clean pathways, gentle pacing, open communication and constant care. Sexual activity involving the anus is an unusual and new activity for most consenting adults; regardless of sexuality, men and women can enjoy having their anus penetrated. While erogenous, the anus is also how the body expels digested food matter. Properly preparing the area for penetration can be as simple as timing the activity to follow one’s bowel movements and rinsing off in the shower. However, some prefer to “douche” or rinse the anal cavity with saline or water to flush out any residual fecal matter. 

Douching can be risky. You want to be careful not to damage the sensitive skin inside and around the anus when inserting the douche apparatus, and to use lubrication. The most important thing about anal sex is to go slow, use lots of lube, and to stop and withdraw if there’s sharp pain or extremely unpleasant sensations. Those rules apply for douching as well.

Below are a series of steps that can help you safely and effectively prepare for anal sex and penetration.

Materials Required:

• Commercially available Fleet enema’s are an easy introduction. An anal douche bulb is something for regular users, and more advanced methods involve a shower attachment. Only one of these options is required. 
• Water (barely lukewarm, not hot or cold).
• Lubricant (water-based or silicone-based, avoid oil-based if using latex condoms later).
• A clean bathroom or shower area.

Proper preparation helps:

1. Choose Your Douche Method:
   • Bulb Douche: Ideal for beginners; fill with lukewarm water.
   • Shower Attachment: More advanced method; requires careful control of pressure and temperature, not recommended for first-timers.
   • Fleet Enema: Pre-packaged with saline, ensure you get the non-laxative version, very good for beginners. These can come with pre-lubricated tips.
2. Clean the Equipment: Before use, make sure your douche tool is clean to avoid introducing bacteria. This is especially a concern for non-disposable douches bulbs. You can wash the nozzle with soap and water after use. 
3. Water Temperature: Use water that is slightly cooler than lukewarm to avoid irritation. The trick is to have the water just a tad warm.

Steps for Douching the Right Way:

1. Lubricate: Apply a generous amount of lube to the nozzle of the douche and around your anus. This helps with insertion and reduces the risk of injury. 
2. Position Yourself: If using a bulb douche, you might want to have one leg up on the toilet or tub for easier access. You can also lie down on your back with your legs pulled up to your chest, or lie down with your hip on the ground and legs cast to a side.
3. Insert the Nozzle:
   • Gently insert the lubricated nozzle into your anus. You only need to insert it about 2-3 inches for a basic clean; deeper insertions can be unnecessary and potentially harmful if you’re not preparing for extensive anal play. Start shallow and pay attention to your body. 
4. Expel the Water:
   • Bulb Douche: Squeeze the bulb gently to release water into your anal canal. Do not let go of the bulb until you withdraw it fully from your anus. This is to prevent the liquid from flowing back into the bulb. 
   • Shower Attachment: Adjust flow and temperature in advance, you want a very mild pressure and temperature just barely warm or neutral. 
   • Fleet Enema: Follow the package instructions, which usually involve squeezing the contents into the rectum.
5. Hold and Release: Hold the water for a few seconds (a short song or counting to 10 can help), then relax your muscles to expel the water into the toilet or shower. You might see some fecal matter the first time.
6. Repeat if Necessary: Repeat the process until the water runs clear. This might take a couple of flushes. Limit yourself to three times to prevent irritation.
7. Post-Douching: After douching, clean the equipment thoroughly. Give yourself a few minutes if possible to make sure all the water has been expelled. 

Safety Tips:

• Avoid Over-Douching: Too much douching can disrupt the natural flora of your rectum, increasing infection risk. 
• Use Only Water or Saline: Avoid soaps or other substances which can irritate or damage the rectal lining.
• Gentle Insertion: Never force the nozzle; if it’s painful, stop and relax more or use more lube.
• Be Mindful of Frequency: Limit douching to when necessary, ideally not more than 2-3 times a week.
• Hydration and Diet: Staying hydrated and eating a balanced diet high in soluble fiber can make bowel movements more predictable and reduce the need for excessive cleaning.

Health Considerations:

• Douching can increase the risk of STIs and HIV if the rectal tissue is damaged. Use protection like condoms.
• If you experience discomfort, bleeding, or persistent issues, consult a healthcare provider.

Remember, everyone’s body is different, so what works for one might not work for another. Always listen to your body’s signals.