Fisting

Fisting (also FF, for fist fucking) is a sexual activity that involves inserting the hand and forearm into the vagina or anus. Often, fisting does not involve forcing the clenched fist into the vagina or anus. Instead, all five fingers are kept straight and held as close together as possible (forming a beak-like shape), then slowly inserted into a well-lubricated vagina or anus. Once insertion is complete, the fingers either clench into a fist or remain straight. In more rigorous forms of fisting, such as "punching," a fully clenched fist may be inserted and withdrawn. Fistees who are more experienced may take two fists (double-fisting) in the vagina or anus. In the case of double-fisting, pleasure is derived more from the stretching of the anus or vaginal wall rather than from the oscillating (in-and-out) movement of hands.

Incidence

The number of people who engage in fisting is probably smaller than that of some other sexual practices. For some men, fisting is pleasurable because it results in direct stimulation of the prostate.

Health and safety

Fisting is generally considered a low risk activity with respect to the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) provided a few basic precautions are followed. However, as with any sexual activity, there are potential health risks that must be taken into careful consideration before engaging in the fisting. While fisting done with proper care carries a low risk of injury, when done improperly it can result in serious injuries, including ruptured bowels, internal tears, rectal/colonic infection, urinary tract infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, bruising of the cervix, mucosal laceration, muscle tearing, temporary fecal incontinence, or sterility.

Often for anal fisting, the receiver will douche or take an enema one or more hours before fisting to eliminate fecal matter from their rectum and lower colon. While fecal matter can cause irritation and/or contribute to infection during fisting, douches and enemas may also irritate the tender mucosal tissue of the rectum and colon. The necessity of fecal elimination prior to fisting is predominately a matter of personal preference.

To prevent scratches or tears of mucosal tissue, the fingernails of the fister should be trimmed and filed and his or her hands covered with nitrile or latex (but not vinyl) gloves or calving gloves. Both the fister's hands and the anus or vagina of the receiver should be very well lubricated, usually with a thick water-based or silicone-based sex lubricant. (Latex products and oil-based products should not be used together as oil weakens latex. Oil-free lubricants suitable for use with latex are widely available.) While sometimes used for fisting, vegetable shortening or mineral oil can contribute to the growth of harmful bacteria in the vagina or rectum/colon. Fisting without the use of gloves has been associated with the transmission of hepatitis A .

Though unnecessary to accomplish the insertion of the hand into the vagina or anus, muscle relaxants (most notably "poppers" – amyl nitrite ) are sometimes used as an adjunct to fisting. The incidence of methamphetamine (see Crystal methamphetamine and sex) usage during fisting has increased along with the rise in its use among the general population. The use of drugs, including alcohol, may increase the risks of serious injury from fisting, for example by reducing the sensation of pain, reducing inhibitions or causing loss of consciousness.

Pain and/or bleeding are warning signs of injury during fisting; significant bleeding could indicate a ruptured bowel or a major tear in rectal or vaginal tissue.

Fisting in pornography

In the 1980s and 1990s, depictions of fisting became taboo in North American-produced pornography. On several occasions, obscenity charges were brought against the producers of videos and films that depicted fisting. One of the highest-profile cases, People of the State of California v. Adam Glasser, et al., involved producer Seymore Butts (born Adam Glasser), who was taken to court over a fisting scene in his 1999 video, Tampa Tushy Fest. Glasser pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of "production, distribution or exhibition of obscene matter" and "advertising or promoting matter represented to be obscene." In 2002, Glasser reached a favorable plea bargain, in which all obscenity charges against him were dropped. Today, fisting is no longer considered a taboo in the pornography world. While fisting is increasingly depicted in fetish porn films, the act is still rare in mainstream and/or heterosexual pornography. Fisting remains prohibited in pornographic videos in the United Kingdom.

See also

• A Hand in the Bush - A book about fisting.
• Anal sex
• Mutual masturbation

References

• Donovan B; Tindall B; Cooper D. Brachioproctic eroticism and transmission of retrovirus associated with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Genitourin Med. 1986 Dec;62(6):390-2.
• Medical terminology and some information on risks were taken from The Intelligent Man's Guide To Handball
• Addington D, A Hand in the Bush, The Fine Art of Vaginal Fisting. Greenery Press, 1998.
• Herrman, Bert (1991). Trust/The Hand Book. San Francisco: Alamo Square Press. 0-9624751-5-7.

External links

• Experience and technique at Bitch and Moan