Caitlain's Corner

Anal play can be an exciting addition to your sexual repertoire.  Regardless of whether you want to indulge in full anal intercourse, you might wish to explore other anal stimuli options.  Aside from dildoes (which are covered in another article), the two primary anal toys are anal beads and butt plugs.  Both of these can be used by either males or females.
 

How they work:  Anal beads are designed to flex your anus as they are pulled out.  The sphincter muscles are interconnected with your pubococcygeal (PC) muscles, which are the muscles that give you your orgasm.  As you have an orgasm, and the anal muscles are flexed, they work to intensify your orgasm to a degree.

Correct Usage:  Lube up your anus, lube up the bead set, insert them one at a time, slowly, allowing you anus to accept them and push them into your rectum.  Once you get them all inserted, you or a partner bring you to orgasm, and as you are cumming, you (or a partner) pull them out one at a time.  As they come through your anus and pop out, the muscle flex that takes place sends a little wave through your already orgasming muscle system, thereby adding to it.  It may take some practice to get the rhythm down on when to pull them out, how hard to pull, etc., but once this is achieved they can be a fun little addition to your sex play.

Incorrect Usage:  Some people insert them, and simply withdraw them; not realizing the above is the correct way to do it.  They do this, get little or nothing out of it, and never use them again.

How to pick out the correct beads to use:  There are two basic configurations of anal beads.  The first involves a set of 5 to 8 beads (usually about an inch or so in diameter) connected via a string.  These are cheaper than the other kind, but the string will get dirty over time, and it is hard to get clean.  The other major kind has the beads connected via a silicone or jelly rubber material, similar to that which other sex toys are made from.  This kind has the advantage of being stronger and easier to clean.  The only disadvantage is that it doesn’t “fold up” in your rectum as well as the string version does, and may push far back into your rectum.  This is not a problem so long as you take your time with insertion and allow your anal passages to relax as you insert them. 

How they work:  Butt plugs serve two basic purposes.  One is to prepare the anus for penetration by a penis, dildo or other object.  The second is to provide a sense of “fullness” in the rectum to add to the sexual experience.  Some people find this feeling to be a sensual addition to a sexual experience. 

Correct Usage:  Butt plugs are graduated from a very narrow tip to a wider portion, followed by a stem that attaches the plug to a wide base that serves to prevent the plug from becoming “lost” inside the rectum.  You lube up your anus, lube up the butt plug, and slowly insert the narrow tip into your anus.  Push the plug in further until it feels like it might start to hurt, then withdraw it, and push it back, prodding each time, trying to go a little further in.  Keep this up until you can insert it all the way, the wide portion makes its way in, and your anus closes around the stem.  You may have trouble keeping the smallest ones in due to their width, though you can use these to train and exercise your anal muscles by forcing yourself to hang onto it with your anus.

Butt plugs come in several different sizes, and you can buy them individually or in packs of different sizes.  A common purchase is the “anal trainer” kits composed of three sizes: small, medium, and large.  You should always start out with a small plug, and once you’re comfortable with that in, take it out and move to the next larger size. They also come in a variety of materials, including silicone, metal, glass (Pyrex), and a variety of shapes.  Metal and glass toys warm to the body easily,

Butt plugs can be used in a variety of ways:

1.  They can be left in during penetrative vaginal sex to approximate a “double penetration” feeling.  Having the plug in gives the anus something solid to grab a hold of and provides the feeling of having been penetrated.

2.  They can be used to loosen up the anal canal in preparation for anal penetration by a penis, dildo or other object.

3.  You can insert a plug and wear it for an extended period of time, either at home or while you are out as a form of stimulation or foreplay. 

Incorrect Usage:  Do not just push a plug into the anus without allowing the anus to become accustomed to it.  You can tear the anus, and this could lead to infection or other issues.  You also have to ensure you use sufficient lube when you insert them and, if you keep them in for long periods, you need to remove it, re-lube it and reinsert it occasionally (your body absorbs the lube over time).

Variations:  There are special variations of butt plugs made specifically for guys.  The Aneros is designed to stimulate the male’s prostate gland.  It works through the wearer squeezing his anus.  This causes the Aneros to press against the prostate gland, resulting in pleasurable feelings.   There are also vibrating butt plugs, and inflatable butt plugs that allow the user to inflate the plug to whatever size s/he can accommodate, and plugs with animal tails on them (horse tails, poofy bunny tails, etc.) for sexual role play.

The Aneros