Fisting risks

Fisters reckon fisting isn't dangerous if done slowly and with a good technique. Injuries are put down to going too fast, drugs clouding people's judgement or not being prepared or relaxed.

Most fisters claim to have no long-term problems with their arse holes not being able to hold in shit. Some do say fisting past the wrist makes the risk of internal damage higher. Standard medical advice says fisting can lead to the sphincter muscle losing tone and that this can lead to problems holding shit in.

Bleeding

If the rectal or colon wall tears you need to go to hospital at once. Bacteria in the arse can get into the bloodstream through this wound, leading to a poisoning of the system that can kill. With no pain receptors once you get a few inches past the arsehole, you won't feel the damage, but later you're likely to feel severe cramps, weakness, chills or fever, with possibly significant bleeding.

A little bleeding during fisting (enough to turn lube pink) usually suggests a small cut and probably isn't serious. If the bleeding is bright red it's a sign of more serious damage.

Other risks

The higher up you go, the greater the risk of damage. Go past the rectum and into the colon and things are more likely to go wrong as the lining of the colon is especially delicate.

Other risks, especially if being too rough or drugs are dulling the pain, include anal fissures or a prolapsed rectum. Fissures are painful rips in or around the arse hole that can take weeks or months to heal. A prolapsed rectum is when the wall of the rectum ends up sticking out through the arse hole. Sometimes it can be pushed back in by hand, but surgery may be needed to fix it.

HIV and other infections

Compared to unprotected fucking, being fisted is classed as low risk for HIV. The risk is higher for the fister as they're more likely to come into contact with blood and the mucous lining of the arse. Both can contain HIV.

Open wounds, grazes or small cuts (possibly too small to see) on hands or forearms could let infections like HIV, syphilis, hepatitis C and others pass from one person to another: cuts in the arse lining do the same. Bacterial infections such gonorrhoea, syphilis and LGV don't need cuts to spread as they can be passed on through skin contact between arse and fist.

In a group fisting session infections can be spread from arse to arse on dildos, hands, cocks, even if condoms and gloves are used.

Gloves and lube

Wearing a latex glove acts as a barrier to infections. They're available from gay fetish shops, some gay men's health projects and medical/dental suppliers. Pre-powdered gloves may irritate the arse.

When fisting more than one arse, if fresh gloves aren't used each time a new arse is fisted, there's a risk of passing infections from man to man.

If fisting without gloves, Crisco is a popular lube. But being oil-based, it's best to avoid fucking with condoms afterwards as the Crisco left in the arse could weaken the latex of the condom.

If you decide not to use condoms but want to cut the risk of HIV being passed on, then think about fucking first, then fisting. Fisting first is more likely to cause bleeding in the arse, making barebacking afterwards especially risky for passing on or picking up HIV.

Want to know more?

For more information about fisting see www.winternet.com/~redright/redright.html.