The Ultimate Guide to Anal Hygiene

So let me paint a morning, any morning, where you’re rushing out to work or the gym and you feel the urge to poop. You proceed to sit down, phone in hand on Instagram or TikTok, and it’s just not coming. Or more so, it’s not progressing the way you would have hoped. Time is of the essence and you give an extra push. Yeah it comes out, but something is off. Maybe pain. Maybe bleeding. Some swelling. Irritation while wiping. Something. We all have had a bad ass day and let me tell you, your day is fucked (and not in the good way). And for many, it’s a chronic ongoing saga.

Is anal hygiene neurotic or necessary?

Raise your hands if you have an asshole? Yes. Exactly. We all do.

Understanding Anal Hygiene Basics

Another scenario.

You are like me and want to take it up the ass—enjoy the pleasures of anal sex in some capacity. (Oh heterosexuals, come on you can do it too you know. There’s pleasure for everyone.) But in many, actually two thirds—they can’t. It’s too tight. It’s too restrictive. It’s painful. The skin is irritated or limiting. Or it just doesn’t look right. Your ass is exposed, open to all the elements. And some extra tissue may make you self-conscious. But not being able to use your hole the way you intend can be catastrophic. And ruins relationships, self-esteem, and again, fucks with you. Not in a good way.

Last scenario, but shit there’s so many.

You are post-pregnancy with some extra anal tissue (a skin tag) or a swollen vein (a hemorrhoid) that keeps popping in and out of your hole. You can’t wear sexy underwear or at spin class it irritates you. Even to the point where you never feel clean enough. You wipe and wipe and wipe to the point of irritation. When you just want to feel sexy and/or engage in any sexual act (vaginal play included), yet you’re too self-aware of your friend that keeps popping in and out. Or it’s red and irritated and not a pleasant sight. Once again, you’re fucked. See a common theme?

Well, I am here to tell you this taboo subject of anal anything – anal play, anal hygiene, and anal health –  is a huge problem for many people and solutions do exist to help each and every asshole. Even yours!

People suffer from anal issues constantly—functional, aesthetic, and mental. Many stem from shitty anal hygiene. No one talks about the ass. No one, parents included, teaches the correct way to shit, sit, or wipe. Or even how to clean your hole in the shower. Or what underwear to wear during the day or at night to sleep (hint: preferably nothing). No one teaches on whether to moisturize or not. How to keep it dry. And who the fuck talks about anal sex, let alone gay sex? The ins and outs and the right ways to prepare or engage anally. And more so the aftercare. I do every fucking day. And I even put it all in a book I released called Butt Seriously. That’s a plug in so many ways.

We collectively, as a society, need to meet people where they are. The ass itself. Its shitting and sexual functions are still a huge taboo subject with enormous stigma. Yet, anal is having a moment. And the core values of anal hygiene and anal routines are essential to maintaining whatever is in store for your hole.

I started a medical practice called Bespoke Surgical 15 years ago to meet the unmet needs of communities, specifically the LGBTQ+. But I don’t discriminate. Anyone with an ass can see me. And when you provide care to 90 people and do 15 surgeries a week for that many years, you see all of the above scenarios and many more play out over and over again. And more importantly, you see how to not only provide corrective medical and surgical services (functional and aesthetic), but also preventative measures and even more so, the education that has been lacking. All of this fully encompasses anal hygiene.

Regardless, when your asshole is off –irritated, swollen, not pretty – you are not a happy camper. Your entire days,weeks, even years are screwed. And then forget it, if you’re someone who wants to use it for more than just shitting? It’s catastrophic!

Proper Cleaning Techniques for Better Anal Hygiene

Let’s just talk about some shit – literally. Here are some anal hygiene pearls of wisdom from my 15 years as an ass doc. Best is to use a bidet after pooping. Affordable and easy to install and better for the environment. Just make sure you dry after. Don’t just pull your underwear up. Moisture is not our friend down there.

Wet wipes currently in the market suck. They cause so many issues I see in the office from irritations and infections to herpes and anal wart outbreaks. I am not sure if it’s the moisture, the fabric, or the ingredients, or all of these combined. But the microbiome changes and then bad shit happens. And clearly it’s not good for the environment either.

If you’re using toilet paper, all good. Less is more and it’s not so much wiping but more patting or pop into the shower or bath.

Improper douching and overdouching techniquescause more and more issues. Nighttime showering is key. We sit, shit, sweat, have sex, whatever all day and then you just get right into bed? That’s not very hygienic. Your ass is where the sun doesn’t shine. We need aeration. We need cleanliness in the space. Soap and water to clean your body and your hole. Don’t be shy here. Clean the fucking thing. Then make sure we totally dry the area.

Safe Hygiene Products for the Anal Area

Try to avoid products with harsh chemicals or fragrances. Whatever moisturizer you use for your face and body, you can use for the hole. Yes, it can be an anal-specific product, but it doesn’t have to be. Remember though, it needs to dry. That’s why I always recommend a quick-absorbing, fast-drying formulation.

I even blow my ass dry. You will see that moisture is the root of anal evil. We see it with wet wipes. We see it with bad showering routines. We see it during the summer months or people who live in warm climates.

Importance of Cotton Underwear

Change your underwear frequently. Especially after the gym if you can’t shower directly after. Be comfortable being naked at home or going commando or wearing loose-fitting clothes. Let your assbreathe. Circulation in the entire genital region is critical. Why do you think anal sunning is so trendy?

Sleep naked. Make sure you change your sheets and blankets to accompany the seasons. Lighter fabrics for warmer seasons and your goose feather duvets for winter. Again, these simple lifestyleapproaches will set the stage for anal hygiene and lead to less issues.

The asshole is the key to our souls, yes, but more so it helps with overall hygiene. And we didn’t even approach sexual routines or how to treat common anal ailments and the like.

Dietary Contributions to Anal Health and Hygiene

Try to add fiber supplementation and/or pre- and probiotics to bulk the stool. The goal is soft, formed, and easy stool. Think about how dogs poop. Have you ever seen them use toilet paper? Nope. Easy out and compact. Hydration is also important. It keeps stools soft and makes everything easier to manage. Drink more water than you think you need.

Common Anal Health Concerns

Hemorrhoids and Their Management

Hemorrhoids are swollen, irritated veins in or around your asshole—and yeah, they suck. They can itch, sting, bleed, or make sitting (or sex) feel like torture. Most of the time, they’re caused by straining too hard, sitting too long, or pushing through constipation.

Here’s the fix: don’t strain. Eat fiber, add fiber supplements, stay hydrated, and let the stool slide out like it wants to. A warm sitz bath can calm the fire, and over-the-counter creams can help reduce pain and swelling.

But if they’re not going away or the bleeding won’t quit, don’t suffer in silence. Get checked. You’ve got options—from meds to minor procedures—and trust me, relief is worth it.

Anal Fissures and Prevention

Anal fissures are tiny but brutal tears around the anus—usually from pushing out hard stools or wiping like you’re scrubbing grout (and even anal sex). They sting, bleed, and make every trip to the bathroom feel like punishment.

Avoid the drama. Stay hydrated. Add fiber. Let things pass easily. And be gentle when you wipe—pat, don’t shred. A little barrier cream can help too.

If it’s not healing or keeps coming back, don’t just live with the pain. Get it checked. There’s help for that tear in your ass.

Anal Warts and Their Implications

Anal warts, caused by certain strains of HPV, can pop up around or inside the anus without much warning. They’re usually painless, which makes them easy to ignore—but don’t. Left untreated, they can multiply and affect hygiene, sexual confidence, and spread to your partners.

They’re not just cosmetic. Some strains of HPV are linked to higher health risks. Use protection, consider the HPV vaccine, and get checked if something doesn’t look or feel right. The earlier, the better—and yes, they’re totally treatable.

Advanced Anal Hygiene Practices

From this, I spawned a sexcare and sex education company called Future Method that brings the science into anal sex, with strategic products that continue to meet these unmet needs.

We offer appropriate anal solutions for douching before sex without messing with one’s microbiome (side note—water and enemas do alter the internal environment leading to higher incidence of HIV and STDs and other anal ailments like tears or hemorrhoids to name a few). We also provide fiber and pre- and probiotic supplements to improve one’s gut flora and motility.

Products like anal dilators and silicone cones help set the stage for successful bottoming, all the while educating on functional anatomy. And we even have an anal exfoliant to help with overall hygiene and post-play clean-up. Once we grasp the concepts of appropriate anal hygiene, we need to use products that support the way people live in the times they need them. We need to hold brands accountable. We need to educate. We need to regulate and create oversight, specifically with global approaches. We need to make sure that people understand their function and their anatomy. Work on preventative strategies. And more so, what happens when things go wrong. What can people do in the immediate – over-the-counter management and aligning with specific medical specialists for more tailored treatment. And they need to be fully versed on any sexual wellness needs that your hole demands.

Anal Douching Practices

Douching might seem like a non-negotiable if you’re prepping for anal play—but too much of it? Not great. Over-irrigating your hole can irritate or strip the lining, throw off your microbiome, and bump up your STI risk.

Stick to isotonic and iso-osmolar solutions and avoid turning it into a full-on power wash. Use safe tools, go slow, and know when to stop. Less is more here—cleanse just enough to feel confident, and then follow it up with proper aftercare. H3: [New Section] Preparing for a Colonoscopy

If your doctor’s sending a camera up your ass, you better be ready. A colonoscopy is a key screening tool for serious issues—polyps, inflammation, even cancer—but the prep is just as important.

Follow your provider’s instructions to the letter. Skip the harsh cleansers, and after all that flushing out, moisturize to soothe the area. You want your hole prepared, not raw. Respect the prep—it’s what helps the whole thing go smoothly, literally and figuratively.

Anal Hygiene and Sexual Activity

If you’re planning to use your hole for more than just pooping, hygiene matters—before, during, and after. A quick rinse, a gentle cleanse, and a whole lot of lube can go a long way toward making the experience smooth, safe, and enjoyable.

Skip the rough stuff. Just prep, lube up, enjoy, and clean up. Your ass deserves that kind of love and care. Avoid over-douching and invest in safe, body-compatible products.

Recognizing Warning Signs

Identifying Sore Spots or Lumps

If your ass feels off, don’t just brush it off. A sore spot, bump, or weird patch of skin might be nothing—or it might be your body waving a red flag. Hemorrhoids, warts, irritation, or even something more serious can all start small.

Get familiar with your hole. Check in. Know what’s normal for you so you can catch what’s not. Because when it comes to anal hygiene, staying ahead of the game is everything. Notice something new—like a bump, sore, or itch? Don’t ignore it. It could be minor, but awareness is the first step to health.

When to Seek Medical Help

Sometimes, your ass needs more than fiber and a warm bath. If you’re dealing with bleeding, pain that won’t quit, new lumps, or anything that feels off—don’t wait. That’s your cue to see a pro.

No shame, no judgment. Specialists like us at Bespoke Surgical see this stuff every day. Getting help early can prevent bigger problems later. Your hole deserves that kind of attention.

Conclusion

Anal hygiene is more than a routine—it’s a part of your overall health and wellness. With the right knowledge and tools, you can ditch the shame and take care of your whole self. From the way you clean to what you eat and when you seek help, prioritizing anal hygiene leads to better health, confidence, and comfort.

Let’s destigmatize the conversation and champion better care for everybody—starting from the bottom.

Anal hygiene and all that comes with it, literally, is an absolutely necessary category. But, my approach is to first educate the masses on all the facets needed to understand the anal functions. And through this education, we can utilize my ‘less is more’ approach. Products that align with your overarching needs, and provide solutions for not only corrections, but also longevity. How do we address real issues with real and effective products? So here’s to anal. Thank you very fucking much.