Fun for Everyone
Why Try Anal Play?
Get ready for some cheeky fun! The anus is packed with super sensitive nerve endings, and stimulating this erogenous zone can lead to intense arousal, pleasure, and mind-blowing orgasms. Anyone with a butt can enjoy anal pleasure, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, or genitals—and it can be done solo or with a partner.
In people with male anatomy, anal sex can stimulate the prostate, leading to intense orgasms that send huge waves of pleasure crashing from head to toe.
In people with female anatomy, anal sex can push two sensitive pleasure buttons: the G-spot and the A-spot. Both areas are located along the vaginal wall and can be indirectly stimulated during anal play. A study from 2022 suggested that 40% of women find “anal surfacing” (sexual touch on and around the anus) pleasurable; 35% of women have experienced pleasure using “anal shallowing” (penetrative touch just inside the anal opening); and 40% of women enjoy making anal stimulation more pleasurable with “anal pairing” (touch on or inside the anus paired with other sexual touch such as vaginal penetration or clitoral stimulation). [1]
Besides being ridiculously pleasurable, here are a few more reasons to try anal:
- No Pregnancy Risk: Anal sex means no risk of pregnancy.
- Enhanced Intimacy: Humans are stimulated by novelty, so mixing things up and trying something new, like anal sex, can heat things up between you and your partner like never before and lend new energy to your relationship. Satisfying anal play requires good communication and gentle exploration between partners—all things that can enhance intimacy between two people.
- Explore Your Body’s Pleasure: Like many things in life (brussel sprouts, salsa dancing lessons, pegging—to name a few) you simply can’t know if you’ll like it until you try it! You may find that anal play unlocks a whole, previously-unknown treasure chest of pleasure.
How to Prep for Anal Sex
Good preparation is key for a comfortable, safe, and deeply pleasurable experience.
Decide What to Try
Anal pleasure comes in different forms. Beginners may want to start with digital or oral stimulation, and work their way up to anal encounters with a penis or a dildo.
Digital penetration: Using fingers to gently explore pleasurable sensations.
Oral stimulation (also known as rimming, anilingus, eating ass, or tossing salad): Using the tongue, lips, and mouth to stimulate the anus.
Penis-in-anus sex: When your partner with a penis penetrates the anus.
Anal penetration with toys: Using toys like butt plugs, p-spot stimulators, anal dildos, anal beads, and others to create pleasurable sensations.
How to Clean Up Before Anal Sex
It’s not a secret that the butthole is used for both pooping and pleasure. If you have concerns about poop making an appearance during sexy time, here are some anal sex tips to keep in mind:
- A penis, finger or toy goes into the rectum during sex, which is not where poop is stored. It’s kept further up in the colon until a muscle contraction moves it into your rectum. When poop passes through the rectum on its way to the toilet, it may leave residue behind. This is totally normal, and any kind of anal play may mean encountering a small amount of poop. Basically, poop happens! You may want to talk with your partner about the potential for poop. Consider keeping cleansing wipes nearby and using barriers like gloves or condoms to prevent spreading bacteria to other orifices.
- Shower before sex and clean the outside of your butthole with gentle, unscented soap. You could also use a cleansing wipe or a bidet to freshen up.
- Some folks opt to use an anal douche 1-2 hours before anal play [2] but douching is not necessary and comes with risks when done improperly.
Foreplay
For the best experience, heat things up with your partner before play.
- One crucial bit of foreplay is communicating about boundaries before, during, and after intimacy. Make sure you’re on the same page at all times.
- Gather your supplies. Any kind of sex can get a little bit messy, so you might want to use a protective sheet cover, and have cleansing wipes, lube, condoms, and toys nearby.
- Start stimulating the erogenous zones. For example, you could orally pleasure your partner’s genitals while also gently stimulating their anus with a lubricated finger.
Relax & Start Slow
Relaxing your anal muscles is key for pleasurable contact. Find a comfortable position, put on relaxing music, or do whatever makes you feel relaxed. Then proceed slowly, with foreplay that works up to anal stimulation and penetration. Be sure to communicate with your partner about your preferred speed, and get a feel for what’s pleasurable to you before going deeper. If you feel pain at any point, stop what you’re doing.
Lubrication
Lube is not optional when it comes to anal play! The anus does not self-lubricate like the vagina does, so it’s essential for protecting the delicate tissue and creating a smooth, comfortable sensation. Many people prefer long-lasting silicone-based lubes for anal play because they don’t need to be reapplied as often; however, make sure you choose a lube that’s compatible with any toys or condoms you’re using.
Best Positions for Anal Sex
If you’re ready for partner play, here are a few great positions for beginner-to-intermediate backdoor action:
Doggy Style: This position is a classic, and a great option for beginners. The receiving partner is on hands and knees, with the giving partner positioned behind them.
Spooning: Spooning can be a relaxed comfortable position for both partners. The receiving partner is the little spoon, while the giving partner is the big spoon. This position provides opportunities for either partner to stimulate the receiving partner’s genitals for extra stimulation.
Lap Dance: The giving partner sits on the edge of the bed, couch, or chair. With their back to the giver, the receiver sits on the giver’s lap, easing the penis or dildo into their anus. The receiving partner can easily control the pace and pressure of the penetration.
Lying Doggy: In this position, the receiver lies on their belly on the bed, and the giving partner lies directly on top of them, entering from behind.