Booty Basics: Anal 101

Ready to explore what’s through the back door? There are so many wonderful reasons to discover the wonders of booty play, from the rim to the p-spot and more.

Anal play isn’t specific to any one gender, sexuality, or body type- so it has potential to be enjoyed by anyone!

•                  There are a ton of nerve endings around and inside the anus, and all those nerves mean possibilities for so many ways to experience anal play- giving or receiving or both- rimming, pegging, penetration, fingering, fisting, toys, and more!

•                  Anal play isn’t just a team sport – anal masturbation can feel fantastic, whether the booty is the main course or an addition to however you play solo.

•                  Through penetrative anal play, you can stimulate internal hot-spots like the prostate or G-spot.

•                  It can feel new, exciting, or- to some- it can even feel taboo. We’re all for experimentation and finding new things that can excite you sexually.

If you’re a booty newbie, there are some very important things to keep in mind, especially when it comes to safety:

When it comes to trying penetrative anal play (with toys or bodies), there are a lot of folks that will never give it a go because of the persistent myth that anal sex is painful. Let’s take a step back and debunk that myth- simply enough: no play should hurt unless you want it to (and even then, consider safety).

Anal play in particular doesn't need to hurt or feel uncomfortable at all, and if it does, it’s more than likely that there’s an easy fix: try going slower, adding more lube, sizing down, or switching positions. If it keeps feeling uncomfy, stop!

Anal works best with these steps: lubrication, relaxation, and communication. Let’s break those down.

The butt does not self-lubricate in the way that the vaginal canal can – and because the tissue of the bootyhole is delicate, you want to make sure that your body is slick and ready before penetrative play.

Keeping the booty well-lubricated not only adds to sensation and easier entry, but it can – very importantly - prevent tearing or fissures, and altogether make for a much more comfortable and therefore pleasurable experience.

Thicker lubricants, like gels, can add a bit of cushion for the pushin’. Silicone lubricants are longer lasting, and won’t need reapplication as quickly as some water-based lubricants may. You can even use a lube shooter to make sure your lubricant is getting exactly where you want it.

If you’re planning on playing with some booty penetration (whether that’s with a butt plug, anal beads, a penis, fingers, etc) remember that the butt- like most of our body- needs some time to warm up. Being relaxed and getting aroused before diving in can allow for our bodies to release tension that could cause those anal muscles to tighten up and make penetration more difficult, or even painful if you’re trying to push past without allowing those muscles to relax. Allow your body to adjust to new sensations.

Start with a massage of the rim (try vibration or even some oral rimming if you’re into it), then slowly introduce a finger or small toy, building up to larger toys or body parts as you become comfortable - an anal training kit can be supes helpful with this. Take your time- why rush pleasure?

If you’re playing with a partner (or partners!) be sure to communicate how you’re feeling and what you need. Don’t feel like you ever have to push through if something doesn’t feel good. In fact, you can even use dirty talk to tell your top how you want it, or to ask your bottom what they need.

Not all toys are created equal, and that’s especially true for anal play! Of course, you always want to make sure that whatever you’re using on your body is made out of a safe material meant for sexual use (i.e., you’re getting from a reputable shop, like ours!) but you also want to make sure that your vibrator or dildo has a flared base.

Having a flared base means that the bottom of the toy (the handle or the base) is significantly larger than the part of the toy intended for penetration. This ensures that the toy remains anchored outside of the body for safe and easy removal, and doesn’t disappear and turn into an awkward visit to the emergency room. (And no, strings and chains don’t count as bases – remember, they need to be anchored!)

Here's some examples to make it easier 😉

There are so many types of anal-safe toys: plugs, beads, dildos, vibrators, prostate stimulators, and more - something for everybooty.

Enjoy the journey and adventure on, anal explorers!