Rimming: what STI risks and how to protect yourself?

Rimming, a common practice

Rimming (anilingus) means licking or stimulating the anus with the mouth and tongue. It’s very common between men, often as foreplay. People rarely think of it in health terms, yet it’s an important entry point for several infections.

What are the risks?

Low for HIV

HIV transmission through rimming alone is very low, unless blood is involved (anal tears, bleeding gums).

High for gut infections

The mouth comes into contact with traces of faeces, even after a shower:

• hepatitis A: WHO explicitly lists oral-anal sex as a transmission route; Sexosafe also links hepatitis A to rimming (hepatitis A);
• shigellosis: feverish diarrhoea, multidrug-resistant strains circulating between men according to AIDES (shigella);
• parasites and other gut bacteria.

Real for “classic” STIs

Both ways (mouth to anus and anus to mouth): gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis, herpes, HPV. Sexosafe points out that these throat infections usually go unnoticed.

How to reduce the risks?

1. Hepatitis A (and B) vaccine: the best protection, free at French CeGIDD clinics.
2. A dental dam (latex square) or a cut-open condom over the anus: rarely used, but effective.
3. Hygiene: shower beforehand, but no harsh douching right before, which irritates the lining (douching).
4. Don’t brush your teeth right before, and avoid rimming if you have mouth ulcers, bleeding gums or a cold sore (Sexosafe).
5. Avoid rimming if your partner has diarrhoea or anal lesions.
6. Don’t go anus → mouth with fingers or a toy without washing them.

What about testing?

If you rim, ask for a throat swab (and an anal swab if you receive) when you get tested: a urine test doesn’t detect oral STIs. Every 3 months with several partners (testing).

Symptoms to watch

Diarrhoea with fever, jaundice, dark urine, a lingering sore throat, a sore in the mouth: see a doctor and mention the practice.