New Study Maps the Most Pleasurable Zones During Anal Sex

In the realm of sexual health, some questions have long gone unanswered—not because they lack importance, but because they’ve lived in the shadow of discomfort, stigma, and silence. A new study published in the journal Sexual Medicine aims to change that by offering one of the most detailed, anatomically informed looks at how cisgender men and women experience pleasure during receptive anal intercourse.

The findings are as eye-opening as they are timely: the superficial anterior region of the rectum—a part just inside the anal canal—emerges as a common site of pleasure for both sexes. And in a twist that challenges common assumptions, men were significantly more likely than women to report reaching orgasm from anal stimulation alone.

But this study isn’t just about where people feel good. It’s about understanding why they feel good, who is most likely to seek out or enjoy these sensations, and how deeply personal—and social—sexual experiences truly are.

Redefining a Neglected Domain of Sexual Research

Much of what we know about anal sex comes from studies focused on health risks—primarily in relation to HIV transmission and sexually transmitted infections. But the conversation around pleasure, satisfaction, and orgasm has been remarkably thin, especially when it comes to receptive anal intercourse.

The researchers behind this study set out to fill that void with data—respectful, inclusive, and anatomically specific data.

“We realized that sexual pleasure is a critical part of health, yet very little is known about the erogenous potential of the rectum,” said one of the study’s lead authors. “Most prior research excluded heterosexual men or bisexual women, and almost none examined the details of where pleasure is felt during anal sex.”

This new study changes that. Conducted via an anonymous online survey using the Qualtrics platform and approved by the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Institutional Review Board, the research included 964 U.S.-based cisgender adults—498 women and 466 men—whose demographics were matched to national census data.

Participants ranged in age from 18 to over 60 and spanned a range of sexual orientations, from heterosexual to gay, bisexual, and asexual. Importantly, participants who reported having experienced receptive anal intercourse were shown anatomical diagrams of the rectum, divided into four regions: superficial anterior, superficial posterior, deep anterior, and deep posterior. They were asked to indicate which zones, if any, they found pleasurable.

A Map of Rectal Pleasure Emerges

Among the most striking findings was the consistency with which both men and women identified the superficial anterior region as a source of pleasure. This area, located toward the front of the rectum, lies near the prostate in men and close to the internal branches of the pudendal nerve and clitoral structures in women.

Biology appears to be doing a lot of the work here. In men, the prostate is a well-known pleasure center, and its proximity to the anterior rectal wall likely plays a key role in why many reported experiencing orgasms from anal stimulation alone. In women, while the anatomical structures differ, the clustering of sensitive nerves in that same region provides a likely explanation for similar sensations.

Deeper and posterior regions of the rectum were far less commonly cited as pleasurable. This suggests that—not unlike the external clitoris—the most sensitive areas are not the deepest but rather the most accessible.

But this isn’t just a tale of anatomy. It’s a story about identity, orientation, and the changing landscape of sexual experience.

Who’s Doing What, and How Do They Feel?

The study revealed nuanced differences in who is engaging in receptive anal intercourse and how they’re experiencing it.

Roughly one-third of women and one-quarter of men in the study said they had tried receptive anal sex. Women—particularly those in middle age—were significantly more likely to report having had the experience. Among men, older adults were the least likely to report participation.

Sexual orientation shaped the numbers even further. Gay and bisexual participants—especially bisexual men—were more likely to report engaging in receptive anal intercourse and more likely to describe pleasure from multiple rectal zones. Heterosexual men, by contrast, were not only the least likely to engage in anal play, but also the least likely to report pleasure when they did.

Cultural norms and internalized stigma likely contribute to these disparities. Previous studies have found that many heterosexual men associate anal pleasure with homosexuality, creating a psychological barrier that inhibits exploration and honest reporting.

Still, the tide may be turning.

“Younger adults, regardless of gender, were more likely to find anal zones pleasurable,” the authors noted. “That suggests a generational shift in openness and willingness to explore.”

The Orgasm Gap

Perhaps the most headline-grabbing finding of all: 39% of men said they had experienced orgasm from anal intercourse alone—without any other kind of stimulation. In comparison, just 19% of women reported the same.

About half of all respondents, regardless of gender, said they could achieve orgasm during anal sex if another part of the body—such as the genitals—was stimulated at the same time. But nearly twice as many women as men reported never experiencing orgasm from anal penetration, even with additional stimulation.

These differences likely reflect both biological and social influences. While men have a defined internal pleasure organ—the prostate—women’s most sensitive sexual organ, the clitoris, lies externally. Anal stimulation in women may provide indirect stimulation to internal parts of the clitoral complex, but for many, it’s not enough on its own.

Socially, women may also carry more shame, discomfort, or fear surrounding anal sex. Cultural narratives often frame it as painful or degrading, particularly for women, which may affect both willingness to explore and ability to relax and enjoy.

Strengths, Caveats, and Future Directions

This study breaks ground not just in subject matter but in methodology. The sample was demographically broad and matched to national data. The survey used detailed anatomical diagrams and a carefully worded set of questions to guide participants through often-taboo territory.

Still, it’s not without limitations.

As a self-report survey, the data relies on participants’ memory and honesty. The study also didn’t explore the methods of anal stimulation—whether fingers, toys, or penises were used—or the frequency and context of these experiences. Nor did it gather data on emotional satisfaction or relationship dynamics.

Most notably, the study excluded transgender and nonbinary participants, due to sample size limitations. The authors acknowledged that this was a significant gap and called for more inclusive research in the future.

A Cultural Turning Point

This study arrives at a moment of cultural reckoning, as conversations around sex, gender, and pleasure grow more open and expansive. What was once hidden in innuendo is now surfacing in public discourse, academic journals, and bedroom conversations.

And at its heart, this research asks us to reconsider something fundamental: our right to understand our own bodies.

Pleasure is not just a luxury; it’s a form of knowledge, a path to intimacy, and a cornerstone of well-being. As the medical community increasingly embraces a sex-positive perspective, studies like this one help doctors, educators, and individuals navigate their desires with evidence, confidence, and care.

It also serves as a reminder that pleasure isn’t uniform—it’s shaped by anatomy, experience, belief, and choice. And in that diversity lies the complexity of human sexuality.

By giving people language, data, and dignity, this study doesn’t just map erogenous zones—it charts new territory for how we talk about pleasure itself.