Can Anal Sex Make Your Butt Bigger? The Honest And Messy Talk

Okay let’s say it straight: you’ve wondered this. Maybe you heard it in the locker room, saw a TikTok, or your friend swore it’s true. “Can anal sex make your butt bigger?” is the exact question on the table, so let’s chew on it together a little messy, a little clinical, and mostly human.

Here’s the short, blunt version first: no anal sex will not permanently make your butt bigger in the way people mean (like fuller cheeks or larger glute muscles). That’s not how glutes or fat distribution work. The shape and size of your butt are largely genetics, exercise, and body fat distribution. If you want a rounder butt, squats and progressive resistance training are the route.

But that answer alone feels unsatisfying, right? So let’s slow down, get curious, and talk about the nuances the temporary changes, the myths, the real risks, and what to do if things feel off.

It felt different afterwards what people usually mean

When someone says their butt “got bigger” after anal sex, they’re often describing one of a few different, temporary things:

• swelling or inflammation after vigorous activity;
  
• the rectum or anal canal feeling more relaxed or “open” for a while;
  
• a perceptual change you notice your butt more, or it sits differently for a few hours;
  
• or in rare and more serious cases, injury to the sphincter or pelvic floor that changes sensation or control.
  

Temporary swelling and muscle relaxation are generally reversible. The anus is surrounded by muscles (internal and external sphincters, pelvic floor muscles) that can relax and tighten; with most healthy people, they rebound back to baseline after healing. Planned Parenthood and other sexual health sources note that while temporary effects are possible, long-term structural changes are uncommon if activity is consensual and not abusive.

Funny how perception works. One night of rough play, and suddenly everything feels different for a day or two. But that’s not the same as a permanent size change.

Wait what about stretching? Isn’t repeated stretching permanent?

Good question. Here’s how to think about it: muscle tissue responds to targeted exercise (lifting, progressive overload) by hypertrophy (growth). The gluteal muscles grow when you stress them purposely with resistance training, not from passive stretching or from having something inserted into the rectum.

The anal sphincter and rectal tissues, on the other hand, are different kinds of tissue. They can be stretched and trained to relax over time (this is why some people gradually use smaller-to-larger dilators safely), but stretching doesn’t create a new, larger butt cushion or permanently enlarged glute muscles. What can happen, rarely and with forceful repeated trauma, is weakening of muscle tone or injury that affects function and that’s not the same as cosmetic enlargement.

So: stretching + relaxation do not equal a bigger butt.

The real risks no one likes to giggle about

Look, we don’t want to be doom-and-gloom, but this topic has real health corners:

• Fecal incontinence and pelvic floor problems. There is evidence that anal penetrative intercourse can be a risk factor for pelvic floor disorders and fecal incontinence in some people, especially with force, trauma, or pre-existing weakness. This isn’t a guaranteed outcome, but it’s part of the risk conversation.
  
• Rectal prolapse in extreme/rare cases. Rectal prolapse—where part of the rectum protrudes out—has well-known causes (childbirth, chronic constipation, heavy lifting, weakened pelvic floor), and while isolated consensual sex alone is unlikely to be the sole cause, trauma or repeated injurious events could contribute in vulnerable people. If something protrudes or feels wrong, see a clinician.
  
• Pain, bleeding, infections. Anal tissue is delicate. Tears, bleeding, and increased STI risk are all real if precautions aren’t used. Use condoms, lubrication, and go slow. (This is harm-reduction, not fear-mongering.)
  

I say this because sometimes the memes and jokes hide a thin line: fun tonight, problems tomorrow. That’s why good prep and communication matter.

Could my butt look bigger because of swelling, like after a workout?

Yes and this is important because it’s where people get confused. Like any tissue, if it’s irritated, inflamed, or swollen, it can appear fuller for a short time. If the perianal area is swollen, or you notice inflammation in nearby tissue, the silhouette might change temporarily. That doesn’t mean you gained muscle or fat. It’s more like a sprained ankle looking puffier the day after you twisted it. You don’t have a permanently bigger ankle just inflammation.

If that swelling lasts more than a few days, is painful, or is paired with bleeding or leakage, get it checked. Don’t let embarrassment stop you. Health first.

But what about the butt muscles could positions or thrusting ‘work’ the glutes?

Short answer: not really. Many people imagine sex as exercise, and sure, moving your body uses muscles. But the kind of repeat, progressively loaded muscle contractions needed to grow glute muscles are the kind you get from targeted exercise squats, deadlifts, hip thrusts, resistance training. Casual sex, even vigorous, isn’t a reliable way to build significant muscle mass. If building a bigger butt is the goal, do the workout plan. And yes, it’s okay to want both: a better workout and better sex life.

The difference between function and looks

Here’s a subtle thing most people miss. Changes in function (like temporary relaxation, a bit less tightness, or, in awful cases, weakness) are not the same as changes in cosmetic appearance. You might notice functional differences: sensations, control, or comfort. Those can be addressed pelvic floor exercises (Kegels), physical therapy, or medical care if needed. Cosmetic size? Not really.

If you think something is off with your pelvic floor leaking when you laugh, sudden urgency, or pain a pelvic specialist or physiotherapist can help. NHS and Bupa materials explain how pelvic floor disorders and rectal prolapse are diagnosed and treated; they’re not uncommon and not a life sentence.

How common are long-term problems?

Not everyone who has anal sex develops long-term issues. For most people who practice safely, with consent and care, serious complications are uncommon. But “uncommon” is not “impossible.” Medical reviews show a correlation between anal penetrative intercourse and certain pelvic floor disorders in both men and women especially if there’s trauma, inadequate lubrication, or pre-existing weakness. This is where realistic risk assessment matters.

Translation: treat it like you would any activity that can strain a body part. Use protection, go slow, listen to your body.

Practical, non-awkward safety pointers (because we all deserve to be smart and sensual)

I promise these are simple, practical, and very human:

• Use loads of lube. Don’t skimp. The rectum doesn’t self-lubricate like the vagina.
  
• Go slow. Communicate. Stop if it hurts. Consent isn’t optional; it’s the whole thing.
  
• Use condoms for STI protection (especially with partners who aren’t monogamous).
  
• Be mindful if you have existing pelvic floor issues or recent surgery check with a clinician first.
  
• If you feel a change (bleeding, leaking, protrusion, ongoing pain), see a professional. Seriously.
  These aren’t meant to kill the mood. They keep the mood alive longer, safer, and with fewer awkward trips to the ER.

What to do if you think something’s changed for real

If you wake up and it’s not just temporary soreness like persistent swelling, change in control, or something that doesn’t feel right schedule a check with your GP or a pelvic health specialist. They can evaluate for tears, sphincter injury, or, in rare cases, prolapse. Early care often avoids more invasive fixes later. The NHS and Bupa pages on prolapse and repair are conservative but clear: get help.

Also: pelvic floor physiotherapy is a real thing and can be game-changing. If you’re anxious, a physio can show you exercises that restore tone and function.

Quick myth-busting, plain and simple

• Myth: Anal sex permanently enlarges your butt.
  Reality: No. It doesn’t enlarge glute muscles or create permanent cosmetic changes. Short-term swelling or sensation changes can happen, but those usually reverse.
  
• Myth: Once you’ve had anal sex a lot, you’ll always be “stretched.”
  Reality: The sphincter can learn to relax with repeated gentle practice, but that’s not a permanent cosmetic change and usually not harmful when done safely. Repeated trauma, however, can cause problems.
  
• Myth: It’s shameful to seek help for pelvic changes.
  Reality: Medical professionals are used to this. They help, they don’t judge. Get help if you need it.

Where this leaves our original question can anal sex make your butt bigger?

You asked: can anal sex make your butt bigger? and I’ll answer it like a friend: it’s unlikely in the way you think. It doesn’t grow glutes or add fat. It can cause temporary changes (swelling, feeling more “open”), and in rare or traumatic cases it can lead to real functional problems which might change how the area looks or works. But these are not the same as the “bigger butt” people joke about on social media.

If you want your butt bigger lift things, eat right, get muscle-focused workouts. If you want safer, happier anal play lubricate, communicate, and be gentle.

Final small, human thought

We live in a world of quick takes and louder opinions. Some of those opinions become “facts” by repetition. But bodies are biological and nuanced, not headlines. It’s okay to be curious, to experiment responsibly, and to be a little uncertain. If you’re worried, talk to a clinician. If you want to explore for pleasure, do it thoughtfully. And if someone tells you a single sexual act will change your body forever maybe ask for their source. Probably a meme.