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Everything You Need to Know About Anal Toys

Everything You Need to Know About Anal Toys

Editorial Team |

While it’s hard to pinpoint the first beginnings of sex toy usage, there is a reference to anal sex as far back as the ancient Greeks and in northern Peru. While there was no indication of anal toys being used, the depictions of anal sex were thought to be as a mens of birth control.

The dildo has a rich history and one that can be traced back, but when it comes to anal toys, things are a little sketchy. It’s known that anal beads have been around for thousands of years, and anal hooks were used as a form of torture, back in the day. However, one of the easiest anal toys to track back in history is the butt plug.

One of the earliest reports was something called “,” where ginger was peeled into the shape of a butt plug and inserted into the anus (or the vagina), and this was a form of punishment, and still occurs today in consensual BDSM role play.

The earliest reference of butt plugs dates back to the late 1800s where a set of anal dilators was patented. The set included various increased sizes of dilators that were made from rubber. These were to be used the smaller one and increased in size. At the time, these were to help relieve constipation, or for aiding with hemorrhoid healing. They were also prescribed as a means of curing insanity. In 1931, there was the first anal prostate the ‘Recto Rotor’ which was longer than the first butt plugs. From this time, more products were showing up, and glass dilators were hitting the market too.

Moji's OMG Tapered Mini Butt Plug

Aside from being able to order out of catalogs, the first brick and mortar sex store that sold any form of an anal toy was in the 1960s. This was Beate Uhse’s Specialty Store for Marital Hygiene and was opened in Germany.

What is Considered an Anal Toy?

Out of all the categories of sex toys, one of the most extensive sections is anal toys. So, what anal sex toys exactly?

These sex toys are specially designed to suit and to stimulate anyone who has desires for anal stimulation. There a large variety of devices, and they are often suitable for both males and females. Although it can be a bit daunting stepping into the world of anal play, many of these anal toys don’t require too much experience before users can begin.

Additionally, many can be used for solo anal stimulation or for dual play with partners. Anal toys can range from the very simple to the highly exotic and sophisticated, with some models being remote controlled as well.

Coco Licious Soft Silicone Anal Beads

 


Because the anal region is tighter than a vagina, many come with tapered ends for easy insertion, or they are thinner all the way along the shaft. That being said, there are options for the more experienced user that blow this design out of the water.

Benefits

From the 60s and onward, there have been more toys introduced, but because the subject of anal play was considered taboo, and mainly the thing that gay men did, it has been something which has been kept under wraps. Nowadays, things are very different, and there are various anal toys for either solo play or to use between couples and partners.

Prostate stimulation: This is one of the significant benefits for men. The prostate can cause problems in some men, so stimulating it can help to alleviate these issues. However, it is the equivalent of the G-spot in women. Men can receive very different types of orgasms than penis-induced ones. These whole body orgasms can leave them drained, or they can go on and have multiple orgasms with little rest time in between.

Women can have more orgasms: When some anal toys are used, there is internal pressure that pushes toward the vagina. This can help the G-spot to be stimulated easier, and not only that, the inner vaginal walls are stimulated from both sides which adds to sensations too.

Because there’s a high level of trust between partners for any form of anal play, it can bring partners closer together. It can also help to spice up a dull sex life when partners have been together for a long time.

Power play: BDSM is widespread, and now couples can introduce power play into their bedroom antics. This can be any gender, and there is all manner of ways that power play fantasies can be realized. This can be female to female, male to female, male to male, or female to male (pegging).

Makes anal sex easier: When butt plugs are used, the muscles in the sphincter can be stretched and will relax. This makes it more comfortable for anal sex to occur over time. From this, countless nerves are stimulated which allow for a very different kind of orgasmic experience.

Chrystalino Seed Glass Butt Plug

Types of Anal Sex Toys

Here is a brief overview of all the anal sex toys you might come across or encounter when looking for your perfect toys:

Anal beads – These are a series of balls or beads on a cord of some kind that fastens them in a line. One end has a loop which you can use to pull the beads out of the anus with. As you do this, it stretches and contracts the wall to provide varying stimulation.

B-Vibe Triplet Remote Control Anal Bead

Anal douches – These are in the form of a pump you fill with warm water. They are then inserted into the anal cavity where the water is squirted. When this comes out naturally, it leaves a cleaner opening that’s ready for anal play.

Nexus Anal Douche Bulb

Anal dildos – These are designed for anal stimulation and come looking like a penis. They will have a flared base or testicles to prevent them from sliding in too far.

Willy's Suction Cup Anal Dildo

Prostate toys – These are for men only and are curved so they can reach the prostate. They are either used for anal play or for health reasons to milk the prostate.

Tail butt plugs – These are butt plugs with fake fox, wolf or cat tails attached to them. These are for people who like role playing, and they’re fun to look at too.

Jewel butt plugs – These are the same as a regular butt plug but with a large jewel embedded into it. Fancy!

Large plugs – These are definitely for the anal connoisseur who wants the extreme feeling. These toys are at the very limit of anal play.

Inflatable butt plugs – These begin like a regular butt plug or a touch smaller. However, once inserted, you can pump away and really stretch those inner muscles to give you that really full feeling.

Other plugs such as stainless steel plugs, glass plugs, and silicone plugs are similar in design but made with different materials. All three can be used for anal heat play.

Master Series Jeweled Butt Plug

 

Where Can You Use Your Anal Sex Toys?

There are a few of these anal sex toys designed for role-playing, they can be used in any scenario where this fits. Butt plugs can be used for solo play, or with a partner.

These can also be used as an easy way to simulate double penetration, or to add more stimulation and vaginal tightness when masturbating, during sex, when alone, or with a partner.

Tailed butt plugs are often used when there a group of people, and they are used for decoration, but there are also the people who have a fetish for fur and like the idea of having sexual play with something that has a furry appendage. It’s a style thing too.

Prostate are frequently used a male partner, not for health reasons, but to give them the sensation of having an all-over body orgasm. These can induce very different orgasms that are nothing like a penis stimulation orgasm.

All the other adult toys are versatile and can be used for fun play and are designed for ease of anal penetration, or they are used between partners to deliver never before experienced levels of stimulation.

Anal sex toys (for the more experienced) are sometimes used in group settings where humiliation is one of the main motives for anal play. Anal hooks are one of the easiest ways of making the wearer feel this in a BDSM or bondage setting. It can make any sexual interaction all the more intense through limited movement before feeling discomfort or even pain. Always have a ‘safe word’ that is a trusted word between Discuss this before sexual play begins.

Blush Performance Prostate Cock Ring

 

Material Options

Rubber: This is often the cheapest material you can find for anal toys. But, it is far from the best and should be avoided. There can be latex added, and in some individuals, this can cause allergic reactions. Rubber is often used in stiffer products such as dildos, while still delivering some flexibility. This material is porous and cannot be thoroughly sterilized, so bacteria can breed under the surface. If you do opt in here, make sure it’s from a reputable seller who acknowledges great cleaning procedures as a necessity.

Silicone: This material is one of the safest available for anal toys, mostly because it can be sterilized in boiling water. The coating can also be ideal for users as it is soft and it does give a little, and therefore it will mold to the body. Silicone is soft to the touch and is hypoallergenic, so there is hardly anyone who will have an allergic reaction. Silicone is also non-porous and also is another reason it is so popular for anal toys.

Stainless steel: There are lots of anal toys that are made from stainless steel. This is (in most cases) medical grade, but some of the manufacturers at the cheaper end of the market do add nickel which can cause reactions. Steel is hard and doesn’t give to pressure. This means the sensations it can deliver are more intense than softer materials. It is hypoallergenic and can be sterilized in hot water if they have no vibrating units.

Glass: This material is hypoallergenic and 100% body safe. It delivers a smooth surface no matter what bumps or ribs are added to it. It is a non-porous material, so there is no chance of bacteria or moisture getting under the surface. Additionally, it is straightforward to clean too. There are two types of glass used, and one is more durable than the other. Soda lime glass is used in the USA (and some other countries) for anal toy production. European anal toy glass is borosilicate glass and is the same as what Pyrex is made from, and this is more durable and can withstand heat better.

Crystal Glass Butt Plug

 

How to Choose the Right Anal Toy for You

With such a of sex toys available, it can be hard to know which one to go for. Each toy has its own unique design and use, and might be used for solo masturbation or for use with a partner.

One of the first things you need to consider is experience level, and when deciding this, you do need to be honest with yourself. There is little point in thinking you can handle something more substantial than you can. This will only lead to disappointment, and in many cases, discomfort. Adding on to this, there’s the size you need to think about, because not all anal toys are about size, but instead, it’s the stimulation factor. If this is your intent, then smaller anal toys can deliver as good an experience as . This will be more evident if you are seeking something like prostate stimulation because these are generally thinner and angled in the direction of the prostate gland.

Next up there is the material choice, and in the case of new users, it is better to stick to softer materials as these can mold to the body and are not as intense. When you compare silicone to steel, there is a considerable difference between the two in the sensations they deliver, for example.

Gplug Bioskin All Day Butt Plug

 

How to Take Care of Your Anal Toys

All anal toys need extra care when it comes to cleaning. This is purely because of the body part they are being used

Because there are many different materials in play, there are different considerations for cleaning and care.

Glass, steel or silicone anal sex toys under warm soapy water, and for full sterilization, they can be placed in a bowl of hot water for a couple of minutes, or they can be run through the dishwasher. Once this has been done, they need to be dried thoroughly. Glass and steel can be stored safely in their original packaging before being placed in a safe, cool and dry place, while silicone might feel sticky after being cleaned. These will need coating in cornstarch (or powder bought for the toy) before they are placed in a protective bag and stored in a sex toy storage box. Place them away from bright light and high humidity.
It’s best to make sure none of the softer types of toys can touch each other, and this is to prevent them from deforming or sticking to any other anal sex toy of a similar material. Additionally, bacteria spread and mold also possible Clean before and after use, drying thoroughly.

Many of these anal sex toys are more durable in nature, and with careful care, they can give plenty of years’ service.

Some Safety Considerations

Because all of these toys are designed for anal use, there are some unique variations of safety measures and considerations.

Most of the butt plug devices have flared bases so they won’t be able to slip too far inside the anus. Anal dildos and prostate are also designed so they won’t venture too far unless you choose a longer length, but when it comes to slippage, they are safe. Anal beads might be the one anal sex toy which is different though. There is a loop, but this doesn’t mean the person pushing the beads in their finger through the loop. Read the manufacturer’s guidelines before use.

Vedo Bump Rechargeable Long Butt Plug

 

The more significant safety concerns are when you begin using the large butt plugs and the inflatable butt plugs. These can put more pressure on the anus, and if your body isn’t used to it, they can cause pain or in a worst case scenario, they might tear the sensitive skin of the wall inside.

Anal douches don’t have many safety concerns, apart from making sure you have some lube on the small tube, and the water you use isn’t too hot. This can be a nasty shock when you squirt it into the anus. What is warm to your hand might be too hot for the inside of your anal cavity.

Out of all the anal sex toys that can cause damage the most are the anal hooks. If they are being used and the person they are inserted slips, they may be unforgiving and cause severe pain and possible tearing or bleeding. These are for very experienced users only. With anal sex toys, cleanliness needs to be adhered to with all types.

Additional Things to Consider

One of the most significant things to consider is: what you’re looking for your anal toy to do. Anal hooks are not for new users, and they are not intended for solo play. This edges more toward BDSM and predicament play, so if this isn’t to your liking, then a toy of this nature is no use.

Butt plugs are one of the more common types of anal toy, but even with these, there are different uses. If you’re looking to wear your butt plug throughout the day, then it will need to be made from stainless steel. This won’t be affected while it’s inside the body and is more comfortable to wear.

Stimulation levels are also a consideration because many toys deliver these in unique ways. Anal beads are very different from vibrating butt plugs and can be used in very different scenarios too.

All-in-all, you do need to think whether it’s stimulation you are looking for… or you if you intend to train the anus for more extended play or intercourse. Not all anal toys are designed to prepare the anus and are, in fact, designed as a means of additional stimulation.

Lastly, there is the care of your anal toys. This includes the cleaning of them as much as how to store them safely. Glass and steel are the easiest materials to care for, and will last for many years if they are cared for correctly. So, remember to keep these things in mind, before purchasing your awesome anal toys.

Common Questions People Ask

I have heard anal can hurt, is this true?

The sphincter is a strong part of the body, but it is also delicate and contains thousands of nerve endings. Readying the body for anal play does take time. This is the reason a lot of anal sex toys are tapered so as not to go full force. With lots of lube and taking your time, the anus will relax and get used to anal play. You might even “come” to love it, pardon the pun!

Which position is best for anal play?

If you are new to anal play, the most natural and comfortable position is doggy style. This is the same for solo play or with a partner. Suction cup anal dildos are ideal for this, mostly because you can set the height and control how hard you back on to the dildo to receive the best amount of comfort and pleasure. …

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