Anal play is an exciting way to spice up your sex life, and anal toys are a safe and pleasurable ways to explore new sensations in this erogenous zone. Due to the stigma that sitll exists around this form of play, there are many misconceptions around anal toys.
Some believe that it will be painful no matter what, while other thinks it makes a statement about their sexuality. In reality, anal can feel incredible when it’s done safely and consensually. This form of sexual exploration requires several safety measures, body-safe materials designed for anal play, and slow exploration that lets you gradually ease into these sensations and minimize discomfort.
Explore our guide packed with anal play tips, how-to info and more.
The Benefits of Using Anal Toys
The anus is packed with hundreds of nerve endings, and anal stimulation with toys can boost your sexual pleasure to maximize both internal and external pleasure. It can help add new layers of sensation to your solo or partnered sessions.
For men, anal toys offer a powerful route to P-spot pleasure. Often referred to as the male G-spot, properly stimulating the prostate can lead to intense, full-body orgasms that feel different from penile stimulation. Prostate play is also linked to potential health benefits like improved circulation and reduced risk of inflammation.
Gentle preparation is key if you’re thinking about having anal sex, and using sex toys can also help you you prepare for more comfortable anal penetration. Using smaller toys and working your way up in size doesn’t just help muscles adapt; they can help train your mind as well, getting you psychologically prepped.
The body is home to so many different erogenous zones that are just waiting to be woken up. Anal play can open a new door of pleasure, and unlock a new type of intimacy between partners. When playing solo, it can help you sexually explore your own desires. With a partner, it can deepen your connection and allow you to potentially discover playful power dynamics and other fulfilling kinks.
Types of Anal Toys
Butt Plugs
Butt plugs are the one of the most popular types of anal toys. They come in various shapes, sizes, and materials like silicone, metal, and glass. A signature flared base, which keeps the toys firmly in place, is what they all have in common.
Anal Beads
Anal beads are designed to be slowly inserted and then removed at the height of arousal or orgasm for a unique sensation. The stimulation of multiple beads allows for a slow and sexy buildup of tension and then eventual release that’s very satisfying.
Prostate Massagers
While most butt plugs stimulate the nerves in and around the anus, prostate massagers are deisgned to target the prostate gland, aka the P-spot. They have a curved shape and are often designed for hands-free stimulation. Some even vibrate to enhance sensation and help muscles relax. These toys may also have potential health benefits.
Anal Vibrators
If you want to add some buzz to your backdoor play, there are all kinds of anal viobrators including prostate stimulators, beads, and plugs. These vibrators can heighten stimulation. They can be used externally, on the perineum, and internally. They usually have different intensity settings, from gentle pulsations to intense rumbles.
Dildo vs. Butt Plug
Dildos are usually bigger than butt plugs and used for thrusting or moving in some capacity. Anal plugs, on the other hand, are shorter and designed to stay in place when inserted. Plugs are the best beginner anal toy that can help train muscles, while dildos are more realistic and mimic penetration.
Expanding & Inflatable Toys
Expanding or inflatable toys offer a more intense form of stimulation and gradual stretching. They are attached to a tube via an air pump. These toys are better for more experienced people who are seeking a sense of fullness or want to train for fisting. If you don’t have as much experience, simply don’t inflate the toy as much.
How to Use Anal Toys Safely
Size matters when it comes to anal play, especially if you’re a newbie, so start small. Additionally, lubricant for anal is critical since the anus doesn’t lubricate naturally and this can prevent friction, tears and discomfort. If you’re using a silicone toy, use a water-based lubricant. Reapply liberally as needed, since it can dry out more quickly than silicone. If you’re not using a silicone toy, opt for a silicone lube as it has a slippery feel and doesn’t require reapplication as often.
There are a few relaxation techniques you can experiment with to make insertion more comfortable. You can take a hot bath or shower, explore foreplay, or ask a partner to give you a sensual external massage in this area. Deep breathing can reduce tension as well. Before you explore with toys, generously lube up a finger and massage around the entrance of the anus to relax it. Then, insert it just an inch or two, only going deeper if you don’t feel discomfort. You can also use anal dilators or sets of plugs in varying sizes to train yourself.
Rushing can lead to pain or injury. Go slowly and listen to your body, adjusting to the toy gradually. Being patient with yourself can lead to more pleasurable sensations. While exploring can be exciting, don’t push yourself too far past your comfort zone.
The most important part of learning how to use anal toys is never to use one without a flared base. The anus contains powerful muscles, and this base stops the toy from being sucked inside. If you’re exploring anal play, only buy toys specifically labelled for anal use to avoid a trip to the ER.
Best Anal Toys for Beginners vs. Advanced Users
Small, flexible butt plugs made from silicone are the best anal toys for beginners. This material is soft and comfortable to wear. It’s also easy to insert. You can also explore classic anal beads with more gradual sizing, inserting the larger beads as you gain experience. Finally, slim prostate massagers are approachable and beginner-friendly toys that can help individuals explore P-spot pleasure with minimal pressure and a non-intimidating girth.
More experienced users can graduate to advanced techniques using weighted or vibrating anal toys, or plugs that are larger in size. Larger and firmer prostate massagers can help lead to more intense P-spot pleasure that targets the prostate more precisely. Inflatable or expanding toys can enhance sensation in another way, letting users control intensity while adding a feeling of fullness. More experienced players can also explore rigid materials like glass or steel for new sensations and the option of temperature play.
Cleaning and Maintenance of Anal Toys
These toys carry a greater risk of carrying bacteria, so proper cleaning and hygiene after each use is essential to avoiding infections and keeping toys hygienic. After use, wash your toy thoroughly with fragrance-free antibacterial soap and warm water or a sex toy cleaner. Non-porous toys that don’t contain a motor and are made from silicone, stainless steel, and glass can be boiled as an added sanitation measure, but be sure to double-check manufacturer instructions.
Between uses, keep toys in a dry, clean place away from direct sunlight and heat. Try not to let silicone toys touch each other as this can degrade the material. Instead, store toys in separate cloth pouches or containers when possible.
Common Myths & Misconceptions About Anal Toys
Despite being more mainstream than ever, there are still misconceptions about anal toys. Here are some of the most common ones.
“Anal Play is Only for Certain People”
The truth? Anal play is for everyone. Some people think anal play is only for gay men, but all kinds of people incorporate it into ther sex lives. Anal pleasure isn’t tied to identity, gender, or orientation. Anyone with a body that has nerve endings in this area can enjoy it.
“Anal Toys are Dangerous”
While improperly using anal toys or using the wrong tools can be dangerous, anal play itself is not dangerous if the right safety measures are taken. Only use toys designed for anal use with flared bases and body-safe silicone, glass, and metal.
“Anal Play Always Hurts”
While pain during anal sex can occur, it can be avoided with the right technique and prep. You can dilate and relax the muscles with anal vibrators, smaller toys, and slow, sensual techniques we discussed above. You can also be liberal with lube to avoid pain and even use a lubricant applicator inside the rectum. Going slowly is one of the best ways to avoid pain.
Conclusion
Anal play is a pathway to a new kind of pleasure, and anal toys can help provide you with deeper self-knowledge and increased intimacy with a partner. That said, taking the time to educate yourself so you can be 100% safe and avoid discomfort is key. Choose the right toy for your needs, going smaller if you’re a beginner, and move at your own pace to maximize pleasure.
When you have the right mindset (and tools) anal can be an empowering addition to any sexual wellness routine. Don’t be afraid to explore your options, read reviews, and most importantly, make our safety tips a priority and listen to what your body wants!
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