Fisting Guide: 

This fisting guide will describe the sex act of fisting and discuss the pros and cons of fisting and explain the disadvantages of vaginal fisting and the risks of anal fisting. 

What Is Fisting

Fisting is the slang term for the sex act of gently inserting a hand fist into the vagina or anus of a sexual partner for their gratification and pleasure. Some lovers go a step further and insert their hand in the shape of a fist up as far as their forearm. 

Fisting is often portrayed in the media such as television programmes or on adult websites as a violent sex act which takes play fast and furious. However fisting should be performed very gently with lots of lubricant to make the insertion of a hand or fist as comfortable as possible. It is best to gently insert the well lubricated fingers first, as close together as possible, then once in the vagina or anus to form a fist, though some lovers prefer their partners to keep their fingers straight. There is more fisting techniques described further below this fisting guide webpage. 

The origins of the word fisting comes from the way that a hand which has been inserted into the vaginal passage will form into a fist shape. 

Other Names For Fisting

 Other slang or vulgar names for fisting are fist fucking which is sometimes abbreviated to FF, lesbian fisting, ass fisting, gay fisting, double fisting and pussy fisting. These fisting terms will be explained as you read through this fisting article. 

Vaginal Fisting

 The vaginal membrane tissue is naturally pliable so that child birth can be as painless and easy as possible. The head of a baby and his or her shoulders in normal circumstances will move from the womb through the vaginal passage during child birth, though helped by natural hormones and chemicals which stretch the vaginal. You will not have these natural hormones to help you - so use plenty of lubrication. 

Vaginal fisting has been taking place for many years and enjoyed by women, though one should always respect the wishes of a woman who does not enjoy vaginal fisting. 

How To Perform Vaginal Fisting

 The key to successful vaginal fisting is to ensure the comfort and pleasure of the recipient. The woman should be as relaxed as possible and sexually turned on. Vaginal fisting is best performed after lots of massaging, foreplay and stimulating. This will relax the vaginal walls and aid vaginal fisting. Do use plenty of lubrication (lube) and go gently and slowly. Start with inserting one or two fingers into the vagina and build up to several fingers before trying to insert a whole hand. This may have to take place over several sex sessions to give the woman’s vagina time to adjust to being stretched. Some women may take weeks or even months to get used to having their vagina stretched. 

If the partner being fisted feels any pain - then stop. 

As discussed above in this fisting guide the fist should not be inserted into the vagina. It will be more comfortable and easier for the giver (known as the fistee) and receiver of vaginal fisting if the fingers are closed together to form as small a shape as possible and straightened. Add lots of lubricant and gently insert the fingers into the vagina. Keep an eye on the woman’s face so that you can see any indication of pain or discomfort so that you can stop immediately. Talk to each other and make sure the woman will tell you when she needs you to stop - and obey her request. Some couples find it beneficial to agree to a safety word that can be said by the woman to indicate that she wants you to stop. Always respect her wishes. 

Whilst inserting fingers into the vagina try stimulating her clitoris to turn her on and relax her. If you can’t concentrate on both actions the woman can rub her own clitoris or use a small vibrator to further arouse herself. 

Some people prefer to form a fist and insert this into the vagina. If using this vaginal fisting method then cup your fingers around your thumb and try to form as small a fist as possible. Lubricate your fist as much as possible and turn your fist so that your knuckle faces underneath the woman, towards her bum. Gently rotate your hand when in the vagina to help you move past the pubic bone. If using the straight finger method then you should find that your hand will naturally want to form a fist. Now gentle turn your wrist or gently move your hand up and down to stimulate your partner. Kept talking to each other to find out which movements she likes. Do not be tempted to make any strong violent movements or form your fist in and out or up and down quickly. Vaginal fisting (and anal fisting discussed further below this fisting guide) is all about being slow and gentle to arouse and stimulate the receiver, not the giver. 

Double Fisting

Double fisting is where two hands are inserted into the vagina or anus. People who like double fisting enjoy the sensation of their anus or vagina being stretched, rather than the hands or fist shapes being thrust up and down. 

The Risks and Dangers of Fisting 

This risk and danger information equally applies to vaginal and anal fisting. The biggest risk to the giver of fisting (the fistee) is from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) which can be transmitted by blood, vaginal fluids and faecal matter. You may not see evidence of blood from fisting but small tears to the vaginal wall or anal passage can occur during fisting (as can large tears) and these will cause blood to be in evidence which will carry diseases. 

Bacterial and viral infections can be passed from the person getting fisted to the fistee, especially during anal fisting. 


Halth Risks of Fisting 

The risk of trauma to the recipient of fisting is high, especially from a rough inconsiderate partner. Injuries are possible, even from an experienced fister. Such injuries from fisting include internal rips and tears, infections, muscle tearing, ruptured bowels, prolapsed vagina, cervix bruising, pelvis inflammatory disease and urinary or faecal incontinence. If you sustain any injuries from fisting or side effects from fisting then please seek medical assistance no matter how embarrassed you may be. Your General Practitioner (GP) or Accident and Emergency (A&E), doctor or nurse should not judge you but will treat you - besides they will have heard or seen it all and your help and safety should be your first concern. Any intense pain, especially pain lasting after the fist has been removed or any heavy bleeding should be an indication to seek professional medical attention straight away. 

Persistent and long term fisting can weaken the vaginal and anal muscles and lead to long term health problems. 



Drugs and Fisting 

Some people who enjoy fisting use drugs, often illegal drugs, to relax the muscles of the anus or vagina. These muscle relaxants are used to aid the insertion of the hand into the anus or vagina. These include drugs like amyl nitrate (whose slang or street term is poppers) and methamphetamine. There are further risks of using drugs for fisting. For example they can reduce the sensation of pain so violent and injurious fisting may take place without the recipient knowing. Drugs can reduce inhibitions and the recipient may not stop painful or violent fisting and if the giver of fisting has taken illegal drugs his or her inhibitions and control will be much reduced. He or she may not stop fisting when requested or may not be as gentle as he or she should be. The taker of drugs can become unconscious leaving himself or herself vulnerable to the sexual partner 

Making Fisting Safer 

Using plenty of lubricant during fisting will not only make fisting easier and more comfortable but may help to avoid vaginal or anal tears. This will reduce any blood and reduce the risk of catching STDs such as HIV (Which leads to AIDS) and hepatitis. However fisting is a high risk sexual activity and other precautions should be taken to make fisting safer. For example the giver of fisting should wear a latex type glove like those used by doctors and nurses. These are available as latex free gloves for those with an allergy to latex. Some couples prefer not to use gloves because they feel they are uncomfortable or reduce sensation. However the use of gloves will give you protection against sexually transmitted diseases, much like a condom does during anal or vaginal sex. Thick water based lube or silicone based lube is best. Some are specifically designed for fisting. Oil based lubricant or oils should be avoided, especially if latex gloves are worn for protection because this will weaken the latex and reduce its effectiveness of protection. 

The man or woman giving fisting should trim and file their hand nails to prevent scratches or tears to the vaginal or anal mucosal tissue. Nails and fingers should be clean to reduce the risk of infection. 

Enemas should not be used to clear the bowels before anal fisting because they can thin the walls of the anal passage and make the area more susceptible to tears and rips. For the same reason a woman should not use a vaginal douche prior to fisting, ie it will thin the vaginal walls.

Anal Fisting 

Much of the information in the fisting guide above applies to anal fisting where the hand or fist is inserted up the anal passage to stimulate the prostate in a man. Anal fisting is enjoyed by gay men, lesbians and some heterosexual men and women enjoy the sensations of anal fisting. 

The joined together fingers method described above for vaginal fisting should be used along with plenty of anal lubrication to insert the hand into the anus. Then once inserted into the anus a fist can be formed. Some women enjoy the sensation of anal fisting whilst they or their partner, or another partner stimulate her vagina and clitoris. It is normal for the person being fisted to have an involuntary bowel motion. This is a messy sexual act so thought needs to be given to where it is performed to reduce mess and after cleaning. 

Other Names for Anal Fisting 

Other names for anal fisting, also mentioned further above in this fisting guide, are anal punching - though punching should be avoided - gentle movements apply to anal fisting to gently stimulate the sensitive prostate gland for the man. 

Anal balling is another alternative name for anal fisting because the form of a fist takes the shape of a ball. 

Fisting Tips 

Always use a good quality lubricant and use plenty of this lube. 

Go gently and slowly. 

Respect each other wishes, especially when to stop. 

Perform massage, oral sex or rimming to relax the person to be fisted and to aid natural lubrication. 

Use a latex medical glove to reduce the risk of STDs. 


Fisting is not for everyone. Do not be embarrassed to say no to fisting but on the other hand do not be embarrassed to say you would like to try it. As with any sex act talk about it and respect each others opinions and wishes. Stay safe and use protection and lots and lots of lubrication. If things go wrong get medical help as soon as possible.