Your Guide To All Things Anal

If you consider it your duty to pleasure the booty, this week’s article is for you! Anal sex has become less taboo in recent times thanks to a combination of its rising prevalence in pop culture, increasingly sex-positive attitudes in society, and the evolution of pornographic tastes. If you’re curious about having some *ahem* cheeky fun in the bedroom, here’s what you need to know before moving playtime to the derriere area!

What is anal play?

Anal play refers to any sexual activity that involves stimulating the anus, with a penis, mouth, hands, or toys. People of all genders and sexual orientation can participate, and it has the potential to feel wonderful for everyone due to the area being packed full of nerves. Women and people with vulvas may find anal stimulation particularly pleasurable because it may indirectly stimulate the G-spot through the wall that separates the rectum and the vagina. Meanwhile, anal toys for men and people with penises can offer direct stimulation of the prostate, AKA the P-spot, for all-new sensations that can result in orgasms that are more intense than ever!

Why is anal play popular in BDSM?

The psychology of anal play may be one of the reasons why anal play is so popular in BDSM scenes, though it is completely possible for kinky sex to not involve the anus at all, and for anal sex sessions to involve zero BDSM elements. The deep trust and intimacy involved in anal play, plus the taboo vibe and power dynamics, often lend themselves well to kinky scenarios. In fact, quite a lot of fetish toys like anal hooks and furry tail plugs are oriented towards butt stuff as they put the consenting user in a subservient, vulnerable position that both they and their play partner enjoy…

Is anal play safe?

As with any sexual activity, there are risks to consider before engaging in anal play, such as infections and injury. However, with open communication and responsible practices like using barrier methods and appropriate lubricant, anal can be a safe and enjoyable activity for all parties!

Infections

The rectum is naturally home to a LOT of bacteria (which is totally normal for your body) so it’s essential to practise proper hygiene to avoid getting that bacteria in places it shouldn’t be, like inside the urethra, which can lead to a urinary tract infection (UTI). Douching carefully beforehand is a helpful step you can take to prepare for anal play. It essentially involves squirting a gentle stream of water inside the anus to cleanse the canal internally, and it also clears out anything that you don’t want making a surprise appearance during playtime, if you get our drift… 💩

Injury

Unlike the vagina or mouth, the anus isn’t naturally lubricated, which is why the friction of penetrative anal sex increases your risk of causing micro-tears in the rectal tissue. Not only can this be painful, the broken tissue allows bacteria and viruses to enter the bloodstream more easily, increasing the risk of STI transmission (especially if the giving partner isn’t wearing a condom) and bacterial infections. The key to preventing tears and general discomfort is using a lubricant that is specifically designed for anal sex and to be generous with it — when it comes to anal, there is no such thing as too much lubricant!

We also highly recommend using condoms, both with toys and partners. For partners, this reduces the risk of STI transmission and bacteria spread, and for toys, it also means you can use long-lasting silicone-based lubricants with silicone toys (more on lubricants later). If you want to enjoy vaginal play and anal play during the same session, never go straight from the anus to the vagina until the item or person has been properly cleaned and/or a fresh condom is in place to prevent introducing bacteria into the vagina.

What lubricants are best for anal play?

Silicone-based lubricants are popular for anal play due to their long-lasting properties, which helps the glide stay silky-smooth for longer without having to reapply as often. One of Sexyland’s best-rated silicone-based anal lubricants is the Pjur® Back Door Relaxing Silicone Anal Glide, which is a concentrated formula that has been specifically developed for intensive anal sex. It combines high-grade silicone with natural jojoba extracts for a relaxing effect that helps you and your partner feel closer than ever!

If you want to play with silicone anal toys and don’t have any condoms handy, thickened water-based lubricants are a great alternative. The thicker gel-like texture creates a cushioning effect your sensitive tissue back there will appreciate, and also lasts longer than regular water-based lubricants. The Wicked® Simply Aqua Jelle Thickened Water-Based Lubricant is a favourite of Sexyland’s thanks to its clean and simple pH-balanced recipe that’s suitable for sensitive skin and vegans so that everyone can play!

Some people use lubricants with numbing ingredients like benzocaine and lidocaine in them to make anal penetration more comfortable. Sexyland recommends using numbing anal lubricants with caution, as not being able to feel pain can make it harder to tell if playtime is going along as it should for your bodies.

How do I clean anal toys after use?

Whether you’re playing with butt plugs, anal beads, or hooks, cleanup should always involve a high-quality adult toy cleaner to help your toys last longer and keep them in hygienic condition. Antibacterial properties are a bonus, but be on the lookout for harsh ingredients like alcohol, triclosan, and parabens that may irritate your skin if they’re still present on your toy when you next use it. The Wicked Foam ‘N Fresh Anti-Bacterial Toy Cleaner has been popular among Sexyland’s customers due to its body-safe, vegan-friendly recipe that has great antibacterial properties thanks to natural extracts like lavender, thyme, and olive leaf. It also creates a lovely sudsy foam so you don’t even need to touch your used toy during the cleaning process. Just pump the cleansing formula directly onto the toy and let the foaming action eliminate the germs and bacteria in 10–15 seconds before rinsing off with warm water!

Anal sex is something people of all genders and sexual orientations can enjoy, and just like anything else, you’ll never know if you like it if you never try it. Indulge your curiosity and check out our range of anal sex toys online, or pop into your nearest Sexyland store and ask one of our friendly Fun Specialists for their advice on fun between the buns!