Is Anal Sex Causing Abdominal Pain?

This article is based on scientific evidence and clinical experience, written by a licensed professional and fact-checked by experts.

Posted: August 1, 2020

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

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Is Anal Sex Causing Abdominal Pain? by Josh Spurlock

Bec asks, “I’m a female that started having anal sex recently, and afterwards, I experience abdominal pain. What is that about? What can be done about it?”/p>

CASSIE

Welcome to My Counselor Online. I’m Cassie and this is My Counselor Says. My Counselor Says is where you submit a question, either for yourself, or for a friend,  and one of our incredible therapists takes their time and answers your personal question. So let’s go find out what My Counselor Says.

JOSH SPURLOCK ON THE DANGER OF ANAL SEX

First of all, let me tell you that we really discourage anal sex. The anus and the sphincter muscle surrounding the anus are really not designed to experience the thrusting that anal sex produces like the vagina is. The vagina and the pelvic floor muscles surrounding the vagina are made for thrusting, hold up well to it, and are able to enjoy it throughout the course of a lifetime.

The same can’t be said about the anus and the muscles around the anus. You can really put yourself at risk of some damage that can be permanent and really problematic for you. I’d encourage you to reconsider anal sex as an outlet for connecting sexually.

Secondly, I’d encourage you to get in with a physician to have some testing done for the abdominal pain. I’m not sure what that is about, but they’re able to run the tests necessary to see physiologically what’s happening there for you, to see what might be creating abdominal pain, and help you address that.

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This article is based on scientific evidence and clinical experience, written by a licensed professional and fact-checked by experts.

About the Author
Josh Spurlock
Josh Spurlock

Josh Spurlock MA, LPC, CST, has a BA in Biblical Languages and a Masters in Counseling. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), holding licenses in MissouriColorado, and Florida. He is also a Certified Sex Therapist (CST), Level 2 AEDP Therapist, and an Ordained Minister. He is an Advanced Practice Clinician, with over 10,000 hours of clinical experience. He specializes in Marriage Counseling, Sex Therapy, Family Counseling, and works with Executives, Pastors, Business Owners, and Ministry Leaders. Learn more about Josh Spurlock at JoshSpurlock.com.

Josh is currently unable to take on any new clients.

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