This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Every week in Living in Sin, Jen Sincero provides advice for LA's sexually curious. Now you can see her column in print, too, in the LA Alternative Press. Ask Jen your questions: all are posted anonymously.
Dear Jen,
Can you get intestinal parasites from anal/oral play? I enjoy giving and receiving this, but am sometimes a little bit shy about it for fear of picking up some nasty stuff. Is this an anal-phobic myth or a reasonable concern?
- Got a Bug Up My ButtDear Bug,
If you think about all the little sex-given goodies out there — crabs, warts, blisters, rashes, scabies, ulcers, hemorrhoids, discharge, jaundice, fissures, unidentifiable crusty stuff — it's a wonder any of us ever take our pants off.
You're correct in thinking it's possible to get parasites from performing analingus, but luckily, just like with the rest of this stuff, there are ways to protect yourself. You can pick up protective barriers such as dental dams or Glyde dams at any good sex shop — then simply lay the sheet of soft, silky latex over their buttinsky and start licking away. If you're caught up in a hot moment and don't have either on hand, grab some plastic wrap from the kitchen — it works just as well. All will protect your mouth from making contact with the wormhole, thereby preventing you from ingesting the parasites and getting infected yourself (should your partner even have any, obviously).
And while I salute you for getting all the facts and being responsible, make sure you don't get so caught up with worry that you forget to enjoy yourself. It's like sitting down to polish off an entire pizza and spending the whole time thinking, "oh this is bad. This is real bad. This is going straight to my hips." It's totally pointless. I know enough sluts to fill several locker rooms, and none of us have ever had a case of the bugs. So just be smart and careful and start rimming your little heart out.
gummy worms photo by merfam via flickr
