It is generally considered to be the most effective treatment for anal fissures, with more than 9 out of 10 of people experiencing good long-term results. However, it does carry a small risk of complications. The GP will ask you about your symptoms and the type of pain you have been experiencing. They may also ask about your toilet habits. If you have particularly severe anal pain, the GP may prescribe a topical anaesthetic to numb your anus before you have a poo. plenty of fibre in your diet, such as fruit and vegetables and wholemeal bread, pasta and rice – adults should aim to eat at least 30g of fibre a day

if you use wet wipes, avoiding products that contain fragrance or alcohol as this could lead to discomfort or itching – if you use toilet paper, use a soft brand and avoid wiping too hard Not only is that painful, it also makes you more susceptible to sexually transmitted infections, like gonorrhea and HIV, board-certified ob-gyn Jacques Moritz, M.D., tells SELF. That’s because these tears create openings in the skin, potentially allowing infection-causing pathogens to enter. The silicone creates a pleasurable gliding feeling, which makes anal sex much more enjoyable and safe.

The Best Hybrid Lubes for Anal

That said, Wright cautions against using a product with ingredients that you wouldn't put in your vagina. "If you’re using enough of it, the chances of a little bit of it getting in or around the vulva or vaginal opening are pretty high, so it’s important that you’re using something that is okay if some creeps over into that area," she explains. When in doubt, the fewer ingredients, the better, Wright adds. Using anal lube can also make it less likely that your condom will break. The tearing of delicate skin can allow a sexually transmitted infection to get into your bloodstream. That’s why the following advice is key: “Always use a condom,” says Dr. Gonzalez. “They're the best way to protect yourself against sexually transmitted infections.” Adults with an anal fissure will usually be prescribed bulk-forming laxative tablets or granules. These work by helping your poo retain fluid, making it softer and less likely to dry out.

If you have prolonged burning pain after having a poo, the GP may recommend taking common painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, which you can buy from a pharmacy or supermarket. Anal fissures are quite common, with around 1 in every 10 people affected at some point in their life. Do not let embarrassment stop you seeking help. Anal fissures are a common problem GPs are used to dealing with.

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Occasionally, a measurement of anal sphincter pressure may be taken for fissures that have not responded to simple treatments. If headaches are a problem, reducing the amount of ointment you use for a few days can help. Using a pea-sized amount of ointment 5 or 6 times a day is often better than using a larger amount twice a day. Topical anaesthetics Let’s start by clearing one thing up: Unless you urgently feel like you have to use the bathroom, or you have health issues that affect your gastrointestinal system, you’re probably not going to spontaneously poop during sex. A finger, penis, or sex toy would go in your rectum during anal sex, and that part of your body isn’t where your poop lives. (It’s stored further up and out of reach in the sigmoid colon until a muscle contraction called a “mass movement” empties it into your rectum.) If you’re bringing silicone anal toys into the mix, you’ll want to avoid silicone-based lubes, since this kind of lube erodes silicone toys. But don’t worry—if you want to use silicone-based lube and toys, there are other toy materials out there that work just fine, such as glass or metal. A GP may recommend starting treatment at a low dose and gradually increasing it every few days until you're able to pass soft poo every 1 or 2 days. Painkillers

Anal fissures are most commonly caused by damage to the lining of the anus or anal canal, the last part of the large intestine. If you're fluid-bonded with your partner — meaning you've chosen to stop using barrier methods, a choice that should be based on the results of comprehensive STI testing — it's still important to avoid transferring bacteria from the rectum to other parts of the body, for example the vagina. Switching from anal to vaginal sex without replacing the condom or thoroughly washing the penis or dildo can lead to a vaginal or urinary tract infection. 3. Anal play should be pain-free, so take it slow and pile on the lube (or spit). If you experience significant anal itching or have a hard time feeling clean, you may have hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the rectum that may be around the anal opening, called external hemorrhoids, or inside the anal opening, called internal hemorrhoids. increasing your daily intake of fibre by including plenty of high-fibre foods in your diet, such as fruit, vegetables and wholegrains

Botulinum toxin is a relatively new treatment for anal fissures. It's usually used if other medicines have not helped. Botulinum toxin is a powerful poison that's safe to use in small doses. Beyond the base of the lubricant, there are other things to keep in mind when looking for a go-to option. Mason recommends a high-viscosity, long-lasting lube for extra comfort. Jojoba oil, olive oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, or sweet almond oil are also good ingredients to look for, per the Cleveland Clinic. A fragrance-free lube is ideal for everyone, but if you have sensitive skin or you've been sensitive to lube in the past, it’s even more important to find an option that’s hypoallergenic and made without fragrances. “Use a high-quality lube, be patient, and take the time to really enjoy yourself and set time aside to get fully aroused for sex,” Gigi Engle, ACS, a certified sex educator and host of Internet Sex Therapy, tells SELF. “The more lube the better. I always say you shouldn’t be thinking there can be “too much” lube. You should want to be on a water slide. It just makes everything better. This applies for all kinds of sex—but is especially important during anal—because the anal doesn’t self-lubricate like a vagina.” What you should avoid in an anal lube Most lubes you might use for vaginal, vulvar, penile, or pleasure product play can double as anal lube. "With lube for anal play, you have a little more leeway than lube for vaginal play," says Rachel Wright, LMFT, a New York-based psychotherapist who specializes in sex and relationships. This may include a more thorough examination of your bottom carried out using anaesthetic to minimise pain.