Rimming / Anal Licking
Oral stimulation of the anus, often considered taboo. Short Explanation: "Receiving" means you are rimmed or licked anally; "Giving" means you perform anal licking.
Interested in exploring Rimming / Anal Licking with your partner?
Start Your ChecklistRimming—oral stimulation of the anus—remains one of the more taboo yet increasingly popular intimate practices. Also called analingus or "eating ass," rimming combines the intensity of oral sex with the unique sensitivity of the anal area, creating sensations that many find intensely pleasurable and deeply intimate.
The anus contains a high concentration of nerve endings, making it extraordinarily responsive to tongue and lip stimulation. For many people, rimming provides pleasure unlike any other sexual activity—whether receiving, giving, or both. The act also carries psychological weight, representing vulnerability and acceptance that can deepen trust and intimacy.
This guide addresses rimming comprehensively: hygiene preparation, technique for maximum pleasure, health considerations, and how to communicate about this often-hesitant topic with partners.
How Rimming Works
Rimming involves using the mouth—lips, tongue, and breath—to stimulate the external anal area and potentially just inside the opening. The practice can be gentle and teasing or intensely focused, depending on preferences.
Techniques and Variations
External circling: The tongue traces circles around the rim of the anus without penetration. Varying pressure and speed creates different sensations.
Flat tongue: Broad, flat licks across the entire area provide general stimulation and warmth. Good for beginning and building arousal.
Pointed pressure: Using a pointed, firm tongue presses against or into the opening. Some enjoy light penetration; others prefer external pressure only.
Alternating sensations: Switching between techniques—circling then licking, pressure then light touches—prevents desensitization and maintains intensity.
Incorporating lips: Gentle sucking, kisses, and lip pressure add variety. Some enjoy light suction on the area.
Adding breath: Warm breath and light blowing create temperature play that complements direct contact.
Positioning Options
Common positions include: receiver on hands and knees (doggy style), receiver lying face-down with hips elevated, receiver on their back with legs raised, sitting on the giver's face (face-sitting), or standing bent over. Choose based on comfort, access, and how long you plan to continue—sustainable positioning matters for extended sessions.
Safety Considerations
Rimming involves oral contact with an area near fecal material, creating health considerations that honest discussion must address.
Hygiene Practices
External washing: Thorough washing with mild soap and water before rimming addresses most surface bacteria. Focus on the external area and between buttocks.
Timing: Rimming works best after recent bowel movement and shower. This isn't about shame—it's practical preparation that increases comfort for both partners.
Internal cleaning: Some people prefer anal douching before receiving. This is optional and carries its own considerations—over-douching irritates delicate tissue. Light rinsing is sufficient if desired.
Disease Transmission
Bacteria: Intestinal bacteria (including E. coli) can cause gastrointestinal illness if transmitted orally. Thorough washing significantly reduces but doesn't eliminate this risk.
Hepatitis A: Transmitted through fecal-oral contact. Vaccination provides protection—consider this if rimming will be a regular practice.
Parasites: Intestinal parasites can transmit through rimming. Good hygiene and awareness of both partners' health status matter.
STIs: Herpes, HPV, and other infections can transmit through rimming. Dental dams provide barrier protection for those wanting reduced risk.
Using Barriers
Dental dams (thin latex/plastic sheets) placed over the anus allow rimming with barrier protection. While reducing direct sensation, they significantly reduce disease transmission risk—worthwhile for casual partners or when health status is unknown.
Beginner's Guide
Approaching rimming for the first time requires addressing both practical and psychological preparation.
Start with thorough cleaning: Both partners feel more comfortable knowing preparation has happened. Shower together beforehand—this can become part of foreplay.
Begin externally: First experiences might include only external licking and kissing, not penetration. This allows both partners to assess comfort before intensifying.
Use convenient positioning: Hands and knees or lying face-down with pillow under hips provides easy access while keeping the receiver comfortable and relaxed.
Communicate continuously: Ask what feels good, guide the giver to preferred spots and pressures. "A little to the left" or "more pressure" helps immensely.
Don't force enjoyment: Not everyone enjoys giving or receiving rimming despite best efforts. If it doesn't work for you, that's legitimate and doesn't reflect on the relationship.
Consider integration: Rimming often works best as part of broader sexual activity rather than isolated. Combining with manual stimulation, oral sex, or penetration amplifies pleasure for many.
Discussing with Your Partner
Rimming conversations can feel awkward. Approaching them matter-of-factly reduces unnecessary discomfort.
If interested in trying: Express curiosity without pressure. "I've been curious about trying rimming—is that something you'd ever be interested in?" allows exploration without demanding participation.
Address hygiene openly: "I'd want us both to shower first" or "I'd feel more comfortable knowing we were both clean" acknowledges practical concerns without implying current lack of hygiene.
Discuss roles: Is one partner interested in giving, receiving, or both? Some people enjoy one direction but not the other—understanding this prevents awkward assumptions.
Talk about health considerations: If you haven't discussed STI status and testing recently, rimming is a reasonable prompt for that conversation. Barrier options should be mentioned if relevant.
Establish ongoing consent: First-time agreement doesn't mean standing permission. Check before including rimming in future encounters, especially as desires can change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is rimming hygienic?
With proper washing, rimming is reasonably hygienic, though never completely sterile. The anus is near the digestive system, so some bacterial exposure is inherent. Good preparation reduces risk significantly. Many couples engage in rimming regularly without health issues.
What if there's a taste or smell?
Clean skin generally has minimal taste or smell. Strong odors despite washing might indicate timing issues (too soon after bowel movement) or health conditions worth discussing with a doctor. Flavored lubricants can be applied externally if preferred.
Can you get sick from rimming?
Potentially, though proper hygiene dramatically reduces risk. Gastrointestinal upset, hepatitis A, and parasites are possible transmissions. Vaccination (hepatitis A) and thorough cleaning are sensible precautions. Healthy partners with good hygiene practices typically don't experience problems.
Should I use a dental dam?
Dental dams reduce disease transmission significantly. They're particularly advisable for new partners, casual encounters, or when health status is uncertain. Long-term monogamous couples often forego them after discussing health status, but the choice is personal.
What if my partner refuses to try rimming?
Respect their boundary completely. Not everyone is comfortable with rimming, and that's legitimate. Never pressure, guilt, or bargain about intimate activities. If rimming is essential to your satisfaction and your partner won't participate, that's compatibility information to navigate thoughtfully.
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