Let’s dive in the deep end: Colonoscopy 101 and your sex life 🍑

Wanna bottom but you got a colonoscopy coming up? Sounds like one of the universe’s unanswered questions! In case you were wondering, we’ve got the answer.

You may be surprised; colonoscopies play a major role in modern health and cancer prevention.

Wanna bottom before a colonoscopy?

Before you get backdoor busy, let’s chat about how anal sex and colonoscopy interact.

 

“Can I douche to clear my bowel out?”

Nope.

Your regular douche you use to prepare for sex only clears the rectum.

A colonoscopy requires the entire colon to be completely empty.

To prepare for a colonoscopy, your will be given instructions to follow. This includes a special diet and cleansing process to clear your bowels out for inspection. If your bowel isn’t clear enough, your procedure might need to be cancelled or rescheduled!

The preparation includes:

1. A low-fibre bowel prep diet for a few days followed by clear liquids the day before the colonscopy
2. Laxative solution – you will drink a powerful laxative that triggers diarrhoea to completely empty your entire colon. The whole colon needs to be visible in the procedure!

 

“My bowel will be clear? I wanna bottom!”

Unfortunately, this process is a lot different from your regular ‘get ready to bottom’ process!

It’s best to avoid activities that could introduce bacteria into the rectum such as anal sex.

 

“When should I stop bottoming before a colonoscopy?”

While there’s no universally established medical guidelines about this, we do have recommendations about stopping receptive anal sex before a colonoscopy.

Recommendations from healthcare professionals can vary from 1-2 days to a week to ensure any rectal trauma is not mistaken for an inflammatory condition during the procedure.

Despite a lack of formal guidelines, we can reason that it is recommended to pause bottoming a few days before a colonoscopy.

Talk to your specialist or nurse who can tailor advice based on your personal circumstances.

 

What happens during a colonoscopy

You’ll likely be given an anaesthetic, so don’t worry about feeling uncomfortable.

The tube with light and camera is gently inserted into your rectum and guided through your colon.

Air is pumped into your bowel through the scope to expand the walls of your bowel to give the doctor a clear view.

When it’s done, you’ll rest for 30-60 minutes to let the anaesthetic wear off.

 

When can I bottom after a colonoscopy?

So, you’re done, your colon is clear, and you’re revving to bottom. Slow down cowboy, first some disclaimers.

Although there are no guidelines on anal sex after a colonoscopy, here are some points to keep in mind:

• You might still be full of air. If you’re into a little gas play, then great! However, if this is causing you discomfort, it’s best to wait until you feel a little less bloated.
• If your anus and rectum are feeling a bit sore, let yourself recover first. Let’s refrain from straining your abdominal and rectal muscles!
• If you had a biopsy or polyp removal, don’t have sex at the risk of an injury or infection. In this case, ask your specialist for when you can resume bottoming.
• Due to possible tears in rectal lining, there can be a higher risk of infection from anal sex.
• Your sex drive and desire to hook up may be affected by possible discomfort from the procedure.

 

So, when can you bottom? When you feel better physically, and you’re in the mood to have sex.

If you have any concerns about anal sex or other activities, please talk to your doctor.

Talking to your healthcare provider about sex and colonoscopies

Feeling uncomfortable about talking to your healthcare provider about anal and gay health? Check out Emen8 to find an LGBTQ+ friendly clinician near you.

If you do not have a regular GP, you can contact Kaleido Health Centre, a trusted provider of LGBTQ+ inclusive healthcare, for support and referral pathways!

It’s important to not let shame or silence stop you from asking questions about your health.

Here’s some solid questions to ask your doctor/specialist about colonoscopies and your sexual health:

• When before/after do you recommend, I pause/resume anal sex?
• Considering my specific risk factors, how often should I get screened?
• Apart from regular screening, is there anything I can do to reduce my risk of bowel cancer?

Getting freaky post colonoscopy

So, you’re feeling better and ready to do the horizontal mambo, before you find your dance partner let’s:

• Take it slow and ease into sex at a comfortable pace. Perhaps some solo play so you can discover what feels good and identify any discomfort. For more on anal play, check out this Emen8 blog.
• Use LOTS of lube. Water-based lubes are gentle and reduce friction. Don’t be afraid to reapply frequently!
• Communicate with your partner about any discomfort and taking breaks.
• Use a condom to maximise protection against any STIs and reduce your risk of infection post colonoscopy.
• Try different positions to find what feels best. Especially when starting out, you can go for positions that give you the most control e.g. being on top.

If anything feels off, stop. A little gas can be expected, but any sharp pain, discomfort, and bleeding calls for a hard stop. Please speak to your doctor about any concerns.

Pleasure and Protection

Besides the bowel screening test, colonoscopies are one of the best tools for protecting your bowel health and preventing cancer or other health issues.

And better yet, you can protect your health while maximising your pleasure! Just be sure to follow doctors’ orders and timings around bottoming before/after a colonoscopy.

Happy bottoming!

For more information on bowel cancer prevention, head to the Bowel Cancer screening section of our site.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates, and if you have any other questions please reach out: canwe@acon.org.au

For more resources on bowel health and anal sex, please visit:

Bowel cancer screening | Cancer Institute NSW

Can We – Why LGBTQ+ folks shouldn’t skip the bowel screening kit (and how to get past the ick factor)

What LGBTQ+ people don’t know about bowel cancer risk | CAN WE

A Gay Bottom’s Guide to Anal Health, Safety & Pleasure | Emen8