Ass to Mouth (ATM)
Ass to mouth (ATM or A2M) is a sexual practice in which a penis, sex toy, or other penetrative object is moved directly from the anus to the mouth, typically without being washed or having a condom/barrier changed in between. The term comes largely from pornography and usually refers to anal penetration immediately followed by oral sex.
Related variations of ass to mouth include:
- Ass to other mouth (ATOM or A2OM): A penis or object is moved from one person's anus to a different person's mouth. Older porn terminology sometimes uses ATOGM/A2OGM, meaning "ass to other girl's mouth."
- Ass to pussy (ATP or A2P): A penis or object is moved directly from the anus to the vagina.
In one U.S. study, 7.2% of heterosexual men and 1.9% of heterosexual women reported having tried ass to mouth. Among people who had never tried it, 13.6% of men and 0.5% of women said they wanted to.
Why People Are Into Ass to Mouth
People who enjoy ass to mouth often describe the appeal as psychological as much as physical. Note that the term is common in pornography, which suggests many people also enjoy watching it.
Taboo
Putting something that's been in the anus directly into the mouth breaks a strong social rule about what is considered clean or acceptable. For some people, deliberately crossing that boundary is exactly what makes it exciting.
Submission and Acceptance
For some people, ATM is an intense act of submission. By accepting something that might normally be considered degrading or dirty, they're providing a special pleasure for their partner.
Trust and Intimacy
Because ass to mouth involves vulnerability and potential health risks, some people see it as something reserved for partners they trust. That can make it feel especially intimate.
Rawness and Spontaneity
Some people like the feeling of sex becoming messy, uninhibited, and less controlled. The immediate transition between acts can heighten that "caught up in the moment" or "can't wait" quality.
Body Worship and Devotion
For some, the appeal is focused less on submission and more on enthusiastic acceptance of a partner's entire body.
Taste and Sensory Play
Some people specifically enjoy tasting or smelling traces of their partner after anal play. This can extend to sucking or licking butt plugs, anal beads, or other toys after they have been used.
Interaction With the Anus
For some people, the fact that a penis or toy has just been inside the anus is what turns them on. For them, this is a form of anal play or anal worship.
Sharing and Group Sex Dynamics
Variations such as ass-to-other-mouth can add elements of sharing, exhibitionism, competition, or connection between multiple partners during threesomes or other forms of group sex.
Consent and Safety
Ass to mouth can transfer microscopic fecal material from the rectum to the mouth. Research on sexually transmitted intestinal infections specifically identifies oral sex after anal penetration as a possible route for bacteria such as Shigella, Campylobacter and E. coli and parasites such as Giardia. Hepatitis A can also spread through fecal–oral sexual contact. Regular oral-sex risks, including gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes and HPV, still apply.
To play safer, it can help to avoid ass to mouth during or soon after gastrointestinal illness, and keep hepatitis A/B vaccination and STI testing up to date. Barriers can also be used.
Related Terms
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