Anal play, which is classified as any sexual stimulation of the anus, rectum or prostate, is becoming increasingly popular. Many couples and individuals enjoy experimenting or partaking in anal play acts such as stimulating the anus with fingers, toys, the mouth or the genitals. It's an act that can be enjoyable for both men and women as well as couples of all sexual orientations. If you're looking to try something new, or even if you think you're an anal play expert, read on to learn everything you need to know about anal sex and anal play.

Why Try Anal Play?

The anus and rectum are erogenous zones for both men and women. Anal play can stimulate areas that otherwise go untouched, and for those who are comfortable with it, the result is a mind-blowing orgasm. While many couples consider taking part in anal play as a means to spice up their sex lives, other couples and individuals are simply drawn to it naturally. Regardless of your reasons, anal play can be a fun and safe way to break away from your routine and enjoy something different with your partner or even by yourself.

Preparing for Anal Play or Anal Sex

Anal play isn't something that usually happens on a whim in the same way that sexual intercourse does. This is especially true for couples choosing to use their mouths or hands. There's some prep work involved that should be done every single time you choose to stimulate your partner or invite someone to stimulate your anus.

Cleaning the hands

If you're using your hands to stimulate your partner's anus, make sure to thoroughly clean them with antibacterial soap first. The skin inside the rectum and around the anus is quite sensitive, so it's also important to trim and file your fingernails to avoid injuring your partner and remove rings if you're wearing any. In the same way, if your partner is performing anal stimulation on you, ensure they're clean, trimmed and jewelry-free.

Preparing the anus

Making sure the anus is clean is equally as important as cleaning the hands. It's also the best way to save unnecessary embarrassment. Before engaging in anal play, prepare the anus by washing it and the surrounding area thoroughly with soap and water. If your partner will be penetrating the anus, especially with their mouth, you may also want to consider using an anal douche to clean inside the rectum. Douching isn't always necessary, but it does help to reduce odors and clear the anal cavity.

The anus doesn't naturally lubricate itself in the same way a vagina does, so it's also a good idea to make sure you've got plenty of lube on hand. When you're using a toy or a penis to penetrate the anus, you may need to apply lube and continue to reapply until you and your partner both feel comfortable and are able to experience the pleasure of anal play.

What to Expect When You're Engaging in Anal Play

Anal play used to be a taboo subject, but for many adventurous and even some so-called vanilla couples, it's just a normal part of having a healthy sex life. Those who haven't tried it may wonder exactly what to expect when they have their anus or rectum stimulated by themselves or a partner.

Preparing your space

Anal sex and other anal play acts have a tendency to get a little messy. It usually takes plenty of lube to get the anus comfortable with penetration, and for some, the orgasm that results can be just as messy. Before starting an anal play session, it's usually a good idea to move precious articles of clothing and other special items away from your space and lay down some towels or a large sheet that you don't mind getting dirty.

Anal training

If you're new to having your anus stimulated, it might be a good idea to train your anus before going right for it. When penetrated, your anal muscles contract, and the larger the item you're inserting up there, the tighter they're going to get. This can result in discomfort or even pain for some.

Anal training can be done to help your muscles ease into having things such as a penis, a butt plug or an anal dildo inserted into your rectum. The best way to do this is by starting small. Begin by having a partner insert their pinkie finger into your anus with plenty of lube. Once you're comfortable with that, work your way up to something larger, such as two fingers, anal beads or a small butt plug. It may take several sessions before you're ready to move up from pinkie finger to something larger and again, several more until you're ready to use a full-sized dildo or have a penis inserted into your rectum.

How it feels to have anal sex

Anal sex can feel slightly different for men and women, but at the end of the day, the result of properly performed anal sex is usually a mind-blowing g-spot or p-spot orgasm.

In the beginning, it can feel a bit weird for most people. If you're not using enough lube, you might feel some discomfort, similar to when you need to have a bowel movement. This can usually be overcome by adding more lubrication or simply slowing down. If it's not, it's okay to stop and try again another time.

Once you've overcome the first-timer awkwardness, you'll probably start to notice some pleasurable sensations. Both men and women have erogenous zones that can be accessed from inside the rectum. For men, it's the prostate or the p-spot, and for women, it's the g-spot. When stimulated, the p-spot and g-spot can create incredible orgasms. Men often report that p-spot orgasms are infinitely better than penile orgasms.

Anal Sex and Anal Play Trends

Anal play goes beyond simple penetration. There are plenty of ways to stimulate the anus both internally and externally.

Anal sex and pegging

Anal sex is one of the most common forms of anal play. It's the act of inserting a penis into the anus. Pegging, on the other hand, is when a woman wears a strap-on dildo to penetrate a man's anus. Both acts are known to be extremely pleasurable for both parties. Men, in particular, enjoy pegging because it can result in prostate orgasm, which is a completely different experience from penile orgasms.

Anal toys

Anal toys such as butt plugs, dildos and anal beads can create a pleasurable experience for both men and women. While dildos are usually used for pegging or other advanced anal play acts, butt plugs and anal beads can be worn by women during vaginal sex to increase pressure on the g-spot and enhance a woman's orgasm. Men can also use butt plugs and anal beads while masturbating or engaging in anal play with a partner to induce a prostate orgasm.

Prostate milking

Prostate milking is the act of inducing prostate orgasms, usually without any penile stimulation. It can be done both internally and externally.

To milk the prostate internally, you or your partner can use one or two fingers to reach inside the rectum and locate the prostate, which is located one to two inches inside the rectum on the interior wall. It feels like a small, smooth spot that's about the size of a walnut on most men. Once located, you or your partner can apply moderate pressure to the prostate and massage it in small circles. With time, you'll learn the right amount of pressure and speed to use to give you the best prostate orgasm. To milk it externally, you or your partner can apply pressure to and massage the perineum, which is the small strip of skin located between the testicles and the anus.

Important Safety Tips for Anal Play

In addition to following the hygiene tips mentioned earlier, there are several safety tips that should be considered before taking part in any anal play or anal sex.

• Find a position that's comfortable for both you and your partner. If your position is awkward or causes either of you discomfort, it can result in injuries, such as pulled or strained muscles, or painful anal play.
• Remember that the anus doesn't have much natural lubrication, so to avoid discomfort or chafing, you should make sure to have plenty of lube nearby.
• Remember to clean anything that will be inserted into the anus thoroughly before and after anal play. That includes toys, hands and genitals.
• If any mouth-to-anus play will be taking place, it's always a good idea to use a dental dam for protection.
• Any time intercourse takes place, it's a good idea to use a condom to protect against STIs. A lubricated condom can also provide a smoother surface for penetration, making it more comfortable to engage in anal sex.

For more tips on anal play and anal sex, visit our Anal Academy, and to stay up-to-date on men's sexual health and learn more about recent trending sex topics, follow our blog.