Is anal play safe?

Dear Ask The Doctor: I am a straight male, married and have no attraction to other men at all, but for a long time I have enjoyed anal play, sometimes with my wife, and sometimes solo. I am just worried that there may be risks to this. I was wondering if anal play could cause problems later on such as prostate problems, anal leakage (don't want to wear diapers in my later years) or other complications like that? I have always been afraid of asking my doctor in person about this due to the way i have seen gays treated, and to most people if you like things in your bum, that makes you gay.

Dear Josh: Anal sex does expose you to two principal dangers: infections, due to the high number of infectious microorganisms, and physical damage to the anus and the rectum due to their vulnerability. Also frequent anal sex is associated with hemorrhoids, anal prolapse, leakage, ano-rectal pain and ulcers and fissures.