Sexual Health What Is Rimming? A type of oral sex that involves stimulating the anus By S. Nicole Lane S. Nicole Lane LinkedIn Twitter S. Nicole Lane is a freelance health journalist focusing on sexual health and LGBTQ wellness. She is also the editorial associate for the Chicago Reader. Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 29, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Matthew Wosnitzer, MD Medically reviewed by Matthew Wosnitzer, MD LinkedIn Twitter Matthew Wosnitzer, MD, is a board-certified urologic surgeon and physician scientist. He specializes in male infertility. 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Learn about our editorial process Print Rimming, also known as analingus, is a form of oral sex that involves kissing, licking, sucking, and other ways of stimulating a sexual partner's anus and the surrounding anatomy. The action is called “rimming” because the rim of the anus is the main area where a person uses their mouth and tongue to pleasure a partner. However, rimming does not only have to take place on the outer edges of the anus—all parts of the anus can be stimulated for sexual pleasure. It can be enjoyed by all genders and sexual orientations. Oral sex refers to a range of sexual activities where people use their mouths and tongues to stimulate their partners' genitals. Tom Merton/Getty Images Anatomy The anus is a 1-inch opening at the end of the gastrointestinal tract that is incredibly sensitive and has many nerve endings. It is located at the lower end of the rectum. The anatomy of the anus includes the anal sphincter and perineum. Anal Sphincters Sphincters are circular muscles that can open and close, and they regulate the passage of bodily fluids like urine. The anal sphincter, which consists of two sphincter muscles, control the release of fecal matter. The internal sphincter muscle is involuntary and keeps the anus closed to prevent stools from leaking out when someone is not having a bowel movement. The external one is voluntary and can be clenched and unclenched to allow stools to pass through. When the rectum fills up, signals are sent to the brain and are then sent back to the lining of the anus, where the nerve impulse causes the internal sphincter muscle to open up. This makes a person feel the need to empty their bowels. If they follow the urge and go to the bathroom, they will voluntarily relax their external sphincter muscle. After a bowel movement, the external and internal sphincter muscles close up again, and the urge to use the bathroom disappears. Perineum The perineum is the area between the anus and the vagina or the scrotum. This region plays an important role in urination, defecation, sexual intercourse, and childbirth. The perineum protects the pelvic floor muscles and the blood vessels that supply the genitals and urinary tract. It also protects the nerves used to urinate. The perineum contains many nerve endings and can become very sensitive when it's touched. Meaning of Rimming Rimming, also called a rim job, is when someone uses their mouth and tongue to stimulate their partner's anus, anal sphincter, and perineum. Penetrating the anus with the tongue is also a method of rimming. Rimming is often performed along with genital touch. Safety Sexually Transmitted Infections As with other types of oral sex, there is no pregnancy risk associated with rimming. However, rimming without physical protection may expose someone to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) via the fecal-oral route. Did You Know That Oral Sex Isn't Safer Sex? Some of the STIs that can be transmitted by rimming include: Herpes Genital warts or herpes Chlamydia Gonorrhea Syphilis Hepatitis B One way to prevent getting an STI through rimming is by having you and your sexual partner get tested beforehand. Avoid rimming if you or your partner has an STI and has not fully recovered. You or your partner should also avoid rimming if either of you has cold sores, which increase the risk of transmitting herpes. You can also reduce your risk of getting an STI by practicing sex with barrier methods. Dental dams, which are thin, flexible pieces of latex that serves as a barrier between the mouth and the vagina or anus, offer protection from STIs and other infections. Tongue condoms, also called oral condoms, can also be worn over the tongue to protect against STIs during rimming. When you have a conversation with your partner about sexual activity, it's important to ensure address concerns about STIs and ensure you both feel comfortable with the precautions you plan on taking. How to Prevent STIs Bacterial Infections Rimming also carries the risk of infections from parasites and bacteria that pass through the anus like E.coli and Salmonella. An individual may become sick if they ingest them. Maintain good personal hygiene by taking a bath or a shower beforehand to prevent the spread of bacteria during rimming. Use an antibacterial soap and consider anal douching, which is flushing out one's anus with water, with an enema to clear the bowels before rimming. It's best to opt out of rimming if you have gas, diarrhea, constipation, bleeding, sores (like hemorrhoids), or an infection. Avoid rimming if you or your partner is sick. A Word From Verywell Rimming is another sexual activity that people can enjoy with their partners, but not everyone will be comfortable with it. It may be because rimming carries STIs and bacterial infections risks. It may also be that some people are simply not interested in rimming. The choice to engage in rimming can be a deeply personal one. Those who want to try rimming should have an open and honest conversation with their partners to gauge their interest and comfort level. It's also important to discuss protection beforehand to minimize infection risks. There are many different ways to enjoy rimming, and there is no right or wrong way to do it. Communication is key to finding out what works and what doesn't in each case. Frequently Asked Questions What is rimming? Rimming is slang for oral-anal sex (also known as analingus or anilingus). It involves the stimulation of a sexual partner's anus with the tongue, lips, teeth, or mouth. What are the risks of rimming? Rimming can cause the transmission of sexually transmitted infections as well as diseases spread by the fecal-oral route, including:AmoebiasisChlamydiaCryptosporidiosisE. coliGiardiasisGonorrheaHepatitis AHepatitis BHepatitis EHerpesHuman papillomavirus (HPV)Molluscum contagiosumSalmonellosisSyphilisTapewormsToxoplasmosis Learn More: Can You Get HIV From Oral Sex? Can you make rimming safer? To reduce the risk of infection, use a dental dam. Dental dams are latex or polyurethane squares you can buy at drugstores that serve as a barrier between the mouth and the anus. In a pinch, you can make a dental dam by cutting open an external condom or using cling wrap from the kitchen. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 3 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. UK National Health Service [NHS]. Does anal sex have any health risks? Mount Sinai. Herpes simplex. Kumar T, Puri G, Avarinda K, Arora N, Patil D, Gupta R. Oral sex and oral health; an enigma in itself. Indian J Sex Transm Dis AIDS. 2015:36(2):129-132. doi:10.4103/0253-7184.167133