Anal sex practices and rectal erogenous zone maps among men and women of diverse sexual orientations: An anatomic-map based questionnaire study

Abstract

Background There is limited research about the prevalence of receptive anal intercourse (RAI), erogeneity and sexual pleasure within the zones of the rectum. Aim We describe the experience of RAI within a large and diverse population in an online convenience survey, to map zones of erogenous sensation within the rectum, and to assess orgasm function among individuals who practice RAI. Methods Adult subjects were recruited from an online survey platform and were queried about their history of RAI. Those who endorsed RAI were shown illustrations of the rectum divided into four non-overlapping anatomic regions. Subjects designated regions where they experienced pleasure when touched during RAI. Subjects were also asked about their ability to achieve orgasm from RAI alone or if they required co-stimulation of additional regions. Demographics were collected, and differences were analyzed based on gender, age, and sexual orientation identity. Outcomes Outcomes include mapped erogeneity of the rectum among men and women and self-reported experiences with RAI, including orgasm function related to RAI among cisgender adults. Results A total of 466 cisgender men (mean age ± SD, 46.3 ± 17.5 years) and 498 cisgender women (48.1 ± 16.0 years) completed the questionnaire. Women were significantly more likely to endorse prior RAI, as compared to men (34% vs 24%, P