All About Anal Toys

Although some people aren't comfortable with the idea of anal play or penetration, an increasingly large number of people enjoy the intense stimulation afforded by the sensitive nerve endings found in the anus. Whether you enjoy light or deep penetration, slim or thick girth, or a nice, vibrating buzz, remember to select a smooth, seamless toy for anal play, one with a flared or larger base. You don't want your toy to get lost in your rectum!

Three additional things are critical for safe anal play: communication, relaxation, and lots of lubrication. Unlike a woman's vagina, the anal canal doesn't produce any sort of lubrication. The last thing you want to experience during anal play is the sharp, shooting pains that can accompany the insertion of a dry dildo. Take it slow, be gentle, and respect your partner's boundaries.

While any number of vibrators and dildos are great for anal play, the sextoy industry has manufactured a whole line just for this kind of stimulus. Here are the three main types.

Butt Plugs

It's not the most elegant of terms, but the name "butt plug" is descriptive of this toy's purpose: it plugs up your rectum. Available in all sizes and shapes, butt plugs have a wide, flared base attached to a tapering shaft, which can vary in size and shape from a long, twisted phallus-shaped rod, to a short, stocky model that can be worn without restraint. Many people enjoy the sensation of fullness, similar to the sensation women experience during vaginal penetration. Other people employ a thrusting motion with their butt plugs. Whatever works. Just be gentle... otherwise you risk anal fissures and host of other complications.

Anal Vibrators

Possibly the weirdest looking of all sex toys, anal vibrators closely resemble sea cucumbers: they're oblong, knobby, spiky and pliant. A titillating combination of vibrator and butt plug, anal vibrators can have variable speeds, internal or external power supplies, and fancy features—just like other vibrators. Use an anal vibrator if you enjoy the sensation of fullness and pulsation ...a wickedly delicious duo!

Anal Beads

Anal beads are great for men and women who are beginners or experts at anal play. Constructed of soft or firm materials, these toys usually consist of five or six spheres connected by a piece of cord or flexible plastic. They're used by gently inserting the string, bead by bead, into the anus. Some people like to leave them there until they're ready to have an orgasm, whereupon they or their partner gently pull the beads out, intensifying their climax. Others enjoy the sensation created by inserting and removing the beads. Whichever you choose to experiment with, please remember the following:

• Use lots of lubrication!
• Test the strength of the cord connecting the beads. If it seems weak, don't use the toy... you don't want to lose a bead during play!
• Check the surfaces of all the beads for seams or rough spots. File down any sharp places with an emery board.
• If your beads are made from soft rubber, use a condom. Porous materials are a warehouse for bacteria.