Risks Of Rimming

Risks Of Rimming

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Dr Juliet McGrattan (MBChB) and words by Abigail Malbon

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All your questions about anal foreplay, answered.
You might have heard of rimming, also known as anilingus, but you’d be forgiven for not knowing exactly what it means. The term refers to anal foreplay with the tongue – specifically licking, penetrating, sucking, kissing, or otherwise orally stimulating your partner's anus.
People of all genders and sexual orientations have been engaging in anal play for centuries. We know this thanks to the saucy pictures depicted on Ancient Greek pottery dating back to 500BC. But is rimming safe and does it come with any health risks?
We speak to psychosexual and relationship counsellor Carolyn Cowan and GP trainee Dr Elizabeth Dapre about what a rim job is, safety tips and how to enjoy anal play responsibly:
Rimming, also known as anilingus, is part of anal pleasure. 'It is licking the anus, the anal sphincter and the perineum,' explains Cowan. 'It is often performed alongside genital touch.'
Although it's an enjoyable foreplay experience, those who engage in rimming are unlikely to climax from it alone. 'Most will not orgasm through rimming alone and it is considered as a part of sexual foreplay,' adds Cowan. 'However, it is a great way to discover if you find your, or your partner’s anus, or anal play, arousing as it does not involve penetration and so there is no risk of pain.'
As with any sexual activity, how rimming works depends very much on the couple. Cowan suggests: 'It's best to discuss with your partner if they would like to try to play in this way, first. For some, the anus is no-go area and it is important to respect this.
With a little bit of preparation and some basic hygiene, there's no reason why you can't still enjoy anilingus.
'If playing with this for the first time you could begin with oral sex and genital play and they work your way down. It can be enjoyed across the gender and gender preference spectrum, and is considered a gentle form of anal play.'
While rimming is an enjoyable experience for many, some of you may be concerned about the hygiene risks associated with putting your tongue on your partner's anus.
'In addition to the common sexually transmitted infections, such as herpes and warts, which can be passed on via any type of oral sex, venturing that little bit further to experiment with anilingus does increase your risk of contracting specific infections carried within faecal matter,' says Dr Dapre.
Rimming is one of the riskier choices of sexual play because of the potential for contracting infections.
In short: 'rimming is one of the riskier choices of sexual play because of the potential for contracting infections which can be transmitted via your poo,' explains Dr Dapre. But with a little bit of preparation and some basic hygiene, there's no reason why you can't still enjoy the activity.
As with most sexual activities, there is a risk of catching a sexually transmitted infection (STI) if you engage in anilingus with an infected partner. Dr Dapre outlines the following potential risks that comes with rimming:
Hepatitis A is a common viral infection which can cause inflammation of the liver and can make you feel very unwell.
Salmonella, shigella, E. coli and campylobacter are all bacterial infections which can cause diarrhoea , abdominal pain and fevers, and which are also transmitted via the faeco-oral route.
Parasitic infections such giardiasis are also transmitted in this way, and produce similar symptoms, often requiring treatment with antibiotics.
If you are concerned about contracting or passing on an STI, make an appointment with your local sexual health clinic to get checked out before engaging in sexual activity with a new partner.
Don't let the health risks put you off – if you want to try rimming, there are steps you can take to make the activity as safe as possible and still have a great time, as outlined by Dr Dapre:
The anus is rife with bacteria and so cleanliness and protection is key. Ensure the area is completely cleaned before engaging in sexual activity.
The safest way to engage in oro-anal play is to ensure that you and your partner are up to date with your STI checks .
Using barrier methods, such as dental dams , can significantly reduce the risks of catching or passing anything on. Dental dams, for those who are not familiar, are sheets of latex that can be used on genitals to protect against STIs and infections.
You may also wish to douche the area before rimming in order to ensure cleanliness and help you both relax. If so, ensure you use a douche or enema designed specifically for anal use.
If you intend to continue with foreplay or sex after analingus, it's extremely important to wash your mouth efficiently before putting your tongue anywhere near your partner's mouth, penis or vagina afterwards, to avoid spreading infection.
Aside from our rimming safety tips, anal play can be great fun so use your imagination and enjoy!

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Forums > STDs > Risks in Performing Rimming

This question is for either Dr. Hook or Hansfield, I would like to know how much at risk did I put myself in for stds and other diseases by performing a rimjob on a women of unknown status. It was only brief, I do not know the exact time now I seem to be thinking it could have been a few seconds (30ish) to a bit over a min. My main concern with reading the internet is a Hepatitis infection. Furthermore, am I virtually guaranteed to get some sort of viral illness that causes diarrhea? What are my chances for escaping this episode with my health 100% unaffected?

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H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.
Sep 26, 2011

Thanks for the response sir it was greatly appreciated, from my understanding of your post the odds should hopefully be in my favor that I escape this incident without getting sick and can continue my regular day-day activities without taking any extra precautions?

H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.
Sep 25, 2011

Welcome to the forum.

The STD risks associated with rimming (medical term analingus) have never been studied; all I can do is make reasonable judgments based on anatomy, and the frequency of various STDs carried in the anus and rectum.

As you already seem to know, the main infections risked by analingus are viral and bacterial intestinal infections, not traditional STDs.  In other words, if you catch anything at all, it probably would cause a combination of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea for a few days, nothing more.  However, you certainly are not "virtually guaranteed" to acquire such an infection.  Maybe a 5% chance as a guess; but that's only a guess.

Hepatitis A also is an enteric (intestinal) virus, so you are right to be concerned about hep A -- but not hep B or C.  However, hep A is rare in outwardly healthy people and it is unlikely your partner was infected if she has not been sick with obvious hepatitis (jaundice, etc).  So although it's a theoretical risk, it's really not a significant worry.

There probably are very low risks for gonorrhea, oral herpes due to HSV-2, and perhaps syphilis (except syphilis currently is rare in the US, except in gay/bi men).  Chlamydia doesn't infect the mouth (or only very rarely), and oral HPV infections rarely cause any symptoms or problem.  HIV has never been known to be transmitted by analingus and the risk undoubtedly is very low, even if your partner had HIV -- which is statistically unlikely.

If I were in your situation, if after 7-10 days I had no symptoms like oral sores, sore throat, or gastroenteritis, I would not feel a need for testing and would continue unprotected sex with my wife without fear of infecting her.  But if you remain nervous about it, visit your local health department STD clinic and follow their advice about screening tests.

Regards---  HHH, MD

John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO Jun 08

John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO 12/20

John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO 04/18

Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.

Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.

STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.

Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.

STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.

Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.

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