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Does anal sex hurt? Some swear it feels amazing; others say it’s painful, awkward, or just not for them. Is the pleasure real, or is there pressure to pretend you like it? Does prep make a huge difference? Is it about relaxation, trust, and technique? Or is it simply not for everyone?

A candid post circulating online prompted a flurry of comments. It reads, “I’m convinced y’all are lying about anal sex.” He added:

That shit fucking HURTS. No matter the size or shape, it’s literally painful. Either most people are lying about this, or their holes are the size of fucking Africa.

And I hate that penetration/sex feels like a requirement in order to be gay, because I don’t see myself ever coming around to it.

I had a guy who I literally had to tell every time he hit me up that I was only interested in oral, and he kept trying to convince me to do anal. I kept telling him that it wasn’t going to work, but I don’t know if he thinks that I’m just joking or trying to be cute or what. Mind you, he’s tried to stick it in 3 times, and every time it was never a success, yet he STILL persists?

But yeah, this is the biggest lie of a fucking century, I’m convinced.

One common response emphasized that experience varies widely from person to person. As one commenter explained, “It’s not like that, anal sex is extremely subjective, you might have a different physiology, which causes you to feel more pain, most gay men just ignore the pain because at one point it does feel good, I agree it is not for everyone and it really needs mental effort to actually enjoy it, but we’re not lying.”

Another gay man pointed to preparation as a crucial factor: “It’s a muscle. It needs loosening up before activity, like any muscle. Luckily, in this case, the prep is a big part of the fun, hopefully for both the bottom and the top.” Many men in the thread agreed that patience, relaxation, and foreplay significantly affect comfort. Rushing the process, especially under pressure, often leads to negative experiences, as in the case of OP.

In addition, someone said, “I think there are a lot of young guys who have only watched porn and attempt to just shove it in with zero prep. Like for someone who’s very experienced, a bit of tongue action on my hole is enough to get a dick in there, but for a new guy, that’s definitely not the case.” Many commenters agreed that pornography can create unrealistic expectations about how quickly or easily penetration should happen. Real-life anal sex, they argue, requires communication and attentiveness.

Still, not everyone believes persistence is the answer. One man shared how his own preferences changed over time: “Subjective. This, all day. I used to like it, not love it. But now I can’t stand it, and have become a side. I’ll top very occasionally, but I won’t bottom.” The rise of the term side — describing gay men who prefer sexual activities other than penetration — reflects a shift in how gay men define intimacy. For many, pleasure isn’t limited to one act.

Meanwhile, others emphasized that anal sex simply isn’t mandatory. One comment reads, “Perhaps receiving anal is not for you. For others, it can feel so great it’s euphoric (even without any chems).” Another added, “Nah anal does feel good it just takes patience and relaxation to get there. That said it’s perfectly valid to not want to do anal sex, it’s not the be all end all of fucking lol it’s definitely overrated imo.”

Of course, some commenters approached the situation with humor, like this guy who replied, “Maybe you’re just a top lol. Have you ever fucked a guy?” While lighthearted, the question touches on a deeper point: sexual roles are fluid. A man who dislikes bottoming may find satisfaction in topping, or may discover he is a side after all.

Perhaps the most troubling part of the original post isn’t the pain itself but the partner who kept pushing boundaries. Repeatedly attempting penetration after a clear refusal raises issues of respect and consent. Many readers stressed that no sexual act should feel obligatory and that pressuring someone to “come around” undermines trust.

Having said all that, what do you think, Adam4Adam blog readers? Were you ever pressured to engage in anything sexual that didn’t feel right for you? Does anal sex hurt for you? Was it painful at first and better later, or never enjoyable at all? Is anal sex not your thing? Do partners respect your boundaries when you say no? Is there too much emphasis on penetration in gay culture? Share with us your thoughts and stories in the comments section down below!

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