Exploring anal play can be as exciting as it is nerve-wracking. But with the right tools, techniques and patience, anal play can be a great way to discover more about your body (or your partner’s) and unleash a whole new world of pleasure.
Let’s take a look at what anal play is, along with how to enjoy anal play and the best lube for anal play. We’ll also look at how to clean before anal play and how to get ready for anal play to ensure you can enjoy it to the max.
What is Anal Play?
Anal play is when you stimulate around or in the anus with your fingers or toys. If it’s done correctly, anal play is safe and can help you discover so many different ways to pleasure yourself or your partner.
Go Slow, Start Small: Tips for First-Time Anal Play
When it comes to how to enjoy anal play, patience is key. The anal area doesn’t self-lubricate and contains sensitive nerve endings, so rushing things can be uncomfortable and could even hurt you. You need to make sure you’re fully relaxed, both physically and mentally, before you start. Taking a warm shower or deep breathing can help ease you into the right mindset, as can foreplay and sensual massages. You also need to prep, so spend time stimulating the outer area with fingers or a toy, as this can help the anus get used to the sensations.
When you’re new to anal play, it’s best to use small toys, such as beginner butt plugs or small dildos, or fingers. Go slowly, pause often, and communicate (with yourself or your partner) about how things feel. If something feels off, stop.
The more familiar you become with anal play, the easier and more enjoyable it can be. As you get used to the sensations and learn how to enjoy anal play, you can upgrade to larger toys to increase the pressure and improve your pleasure. But if you’re quite happy with smaller toys or fingers, that’s okay too — there’s no competition.
How to Clean Before Anal Play
Learning how to clean before anal play is very important. For many people, a warm shower is enough to leave you feeling clean, as you gently wash the external area (the anus and surrounding skin) with mild, unscented soap. However, if you want to go one step further, you can use small douches and enemas with lukewarm water to help clear out the area. Only use water with a bulb, as soap or other products can affect your body’s natural balance.
You shouldn’t roughly scrub the area, as the rectum is self-cleaning (to a degree), and over-washing it can cause dryness or irritate the skin. After you’re cleaned and dried, prep yourself with lube to help reduce friction and ease the glide.
What is the Best Lube for Anal Play
Lube of any kind is essential for anal play. While anal play is safe, it’s more difficult and painful if you haven’t lubricated the area, as the anus isn’t self-lubricating like the vagina. A good anal lube is thick and long-lasting, while also being body safe and free from harsh chemicals.
Water-based lube is a popular choice as it’s easy to clean up and safe to use with all sex toys and condoms. If you’re looking for super slippery and long-lasting lubricant, silicone lube is a good option, although it’s not a good idea to use it with silicone toys as it can cause them to degrade. Oil-based lube isn’t typically a good idea for anal play as it isn’t compatible with condoms and can cause irritation.
Beginner-Friendly Toys to Explore With
When you're new to anal play, the right toy can make all the difference. The best way to enjoy anal play with toys as a beginner is to choose products that are small and slim, with a smooth surface and a flared base or handle. Silicone or metal toys are good options as they glide in easily with lube. Your toy should also be easy to clean, as you’ll need to wash it before and after each use to avoid a build-up of bacteria.
A great way to get used to larger toys over time is with butt plug sets. These sets have toys of varying sizes and you can increase the size as your body gets accustomed to the feeling and process of inserting it. Anal beads that increase in size are also a great choice, as you can get used to the sensations and remove them slowly for added stimulation.
For more tips, read our latest blog posts on The Benefits of Lubricants and Why Everyone Should Use Them and How Sex Toys Can Help You Destress.
