All the infections that can be transmitted by vaginal intercourse can be transmitted by anal intercourse, too. The rate of transmission (both for the female and the male) is usually lower, because different glandular products are involved.


In women, the chances for fertility to be affected are significantly lower, because of the anatomy. The ovaries and the Fallopian tubes are directly related to the vagina through the uterus. On the contrary, the anal infection has to spread out of the intestine in the tissue surrounding it in order to reach the ovaries and the Fallopian tubes where the damage might cause infertility.


The symptoms of infections in the anal area are usually pain, itching, painful defecation, sometimes blood on the stool. The pain might be continuous if the inflammation gets worse. When the infection spreads in the surrounding pelvic tissue, it might cause fever and strong pelvic pain.