Of all s*x practices, receptive an*l s*x carries the highest risk of HIV infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control, or CDC. It’s for this reason that numerous prevention messages are targeted to people who engage in unsafe an*l s*x.

However, while safer an*l s*x messages are commonly targeted to homosexual men, prevention programs often overlook women — whether they are homosexual, heterosexual, or bisexual.

Let’s expand on the statistics and risk of HIV in women who engage in an*l s*x.

Do Women Have an*l s*x?
Yes, and according to a 2007 study in The Journal of Infectious Diseases, you might be surprised to learn that 30 percent of women ages 15 to 44 years reported that they had engaged in an*l s*x at some point in their life.

In addition, in a 2010 study based on data from the New York Community Health Survey, about 105,000 (5.6%) women ages 18 to 64 years reported having an*l s*x with men in the past year.

What is the Risk of Getting HIV from an*l s*x?
According to the CDC, the chance of getting HIV from a person infected with HIV during receptive an*l intercourse is nearly 1.4 percent.

Why Does an*l s*x Carry a High Risk for HIV Transmission?
The an*l mucosa is very friable and easily damaged during an*l s*x.

What Other Risks Does Unprotected an*l s*x Carry?
an*l s*x without a condom can spread other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), namely gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis.

Are Woman Using Condoms During an*l s*x?
According to the 2010 study in New York City, only 23 percent of women reported using a condom during an*l s*x in the prior year, as compared to 61 percent of homosexual men having an*l s*x.

Are Women Getting Tested for HIV After an*l s*x?
Women who had an*l s*x without a condom were less likely than those who always used a condom during an*l s*x to be tested for HIV, according to the 2010 study in New York City.

In addition, while over 90 percent of women who had unprotected an*l s*x saw a health care provider within a year, only 32 percent of those women got tested for HIV.

What Else Increases HIV Transmission?
— Sexually transmitted infections

— Lack of male circumcision

— Early or late HIV infection in the person infected with HIV

What Can We Do?
Prevention Educators – it’s important to know that women too are engaging in unprotected an*l s*x. Our messages about getting HIV must change to include this at-risk group.
Healthcare Providers – providers must offer HIV testing for their female patients, regardless of the women’s perceived risk. During an office visit, providers should address s*xual history, including types of s*xual practices. With a detailed s*xual history in hand, providers can identify those women at highest risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections — and offer HIV testing and prevention counseling.
People Engaging in Unsafe an*l s*x – unprotected an*l s*x by a woman is a risky s*xual behavior. Among some women, especially among teen girls, an*l s*x is often viewed as a safe alternative to vaginal intercourse. While that may be true with regards to pregnancy, an*l s*x carries a higher risk of transmitting HIV than vaginal intercourse. Condoms must be used with each and every s*xual encounter, including an*l s*x. Women must insist on condom use and must do their best to take control of their s*xual health.ore on Safe s*x for Women