Anal Beads. Butt Plugs.
Anal Beads
Anal beads and products inspired by them are some of my favorite toys. These are classified by a series of beads (which can be made of a variety of different materials) attached to one another by short lengths of rope or plastic material. All SAFE anal beads have a long string loop or handle used to pull the beads out of the anal opening. It is never a good idea to put loose beads in your butt; they can get stuck up in the rectum and could even go into your colon: not a fun hospital trip. Some varieties look like beaded necklaces and others look like car antennas from the future, but each style has pros and cons.
Because the anus is composed of folded skin all puckered together, there are so many little nerve endings all concentrated in that area; the population rivals a department store on Black Friday. Every time movement is introduced to the nerves (in this case opening and closing the sphincters) they get all excited and start working their magic. Anal beads are great because they introduce this kind of stimulation over and over and over again.
Most anal beads and similar products advance in size along the rope or a stalk made of the same material as the beads themselves. Lube up your anal beads as well as your anus, then stick the first one in; let both sphincters open and close around it and let your ass get comfortable in between inserting each bead. At your own pace, insert the rest of the beads. You can contract your PC muscles and feel the sensations travel throughout the pelvis. Some people like to masturbate or have sex with the beads inside.
If a woman has anal beads in, a man penetrating her can usually feel them against his penis as he thrusts; a very cool sensation for the penis as well as the ass and the vagina, both of which receive a ricochet effect. This also works when inserting a vibrator into the vagina, especially if the beads are made of silicone, which carries vibration extremely well. Many people like to pull out their beads just before, during, or just after orgasm as a "grand finale." When pulling out the beads, do so slowly, one at a time, and in a straight line out of the anus (like a flagpole).
Traditional Anal Beads
These old standards are plastic, necklace-style beads, along nylon or cotton string tied in knots to prevent them from moving. They are inexpensive and have a ring at the end for easy pull-out. Sometimes the beads have edges/seams left from the molding process causing discomfort when going in and out of your butt; this manufacturer's flaw can be fixed by using a nail file or very fine sandpaper. The string is not high quality and hard to clean efficiently; it is a bad idea to share the beads or use them more than a few times. This variety of anal beads is cheap enough to by multiples for sharing or if you want to use them frequently. I would instead invest in anal beads made of silicone or jelly and strung together by short segments of the same material (stalk beads). It is worth the extra cash for the reusability and I'm sure you'll want to use them all the time.
Stalk Beads
Stalk beads are a modern improvement to traditional bead connected with cotton/nylon string; these materials can hold bacteria and break down after a short while. The beads are plastic (silicone, acrylic, or jelly) and connected by a thin stalk of the same material. Stalk beads are more comfortable, easier to clean, and last longer than traditional anal beads; some styles even vibrate.
My absolute favorite of the stalk toys is Flexi Felix by Fun Factory: cute, clean, and cleverly created. It has a larger handle that looks like the face of a caterpillar and the beads are fashioned to look like his long body. The silicone beads are elliptical; they funnel into and out of the stalk for smooth insertion as well as removal. 100% silicone toys can be sterilized in boiling water and/or put through a dishwasher cycle on the top rack (no detergent). The ability to sterilize silicone is why I always choose it over another material. Another great thing about the Flexi's silicone is the ability to carry vibration extremely well: this is true of most silicone toys. You can insert this toy and place a bullet vibrator against the handle; the beads will pick up the vibration inside the rectum. This is awesome but admittedly difficult to maintain the position once you really get going; try the stalk beads attached to a vibrator for a more user-friendly version.
Butt Plugs
A butt plug is a simple yet amazing toy. Its sole purpose is getting into your pants, getting comfortable, and hanging out for a while. A plug fits inside the ass just past the sphincters which hold the toy in place. All varieties are classified by a flared base (flange) attached to a slim neck, followed by a "head" (usually the largest insertable part). The flange is essential to butt plugs and anal dildos because it prevents the whole toy from slipping past the anal opening into the rectum, and possibly getting sucked into the colon. Pelvic floor and other muscle contractions can create suction powerful enough to draw the toy into the body. The base prevents that suction from ending your anal party, not to mention avoiding one embarrassing trip to the emergency room.
Some plugs resemble the ace of spades; smallest at the top, widest in the middle, and thin again at the neck, connected to the flange. Plugs are made in a variety of different materials and sizes; they are based on a simple concept though some styles have vibration or textured heads. Butt plugs are not meant for in/out, forward/backward motion characterized by dildo/penis play; the toy is designed to go in the ass and stay there.
The butt can create many sensations, making anal play a pleasurable experience. One of the most celebrated is the feeling of fullness in the rectum; butt plugs are designed for this purpose. Some people see the butt plug as a stimulating appetizer to the dildo or penis entree, but other people see it as the main anal event. Butt plugs can be worn for short and long periods of time. There are styles specifically designed for long-term use.
Butt plugs can be worn during other forms of play such as oral sex, masturbation, and penetration. The plug keeps the anus stimulated while freeing up the hands for other adventures. When the body reacts to stimulation it causes the PC muscles contract; this movement creates contractions in the rectum and sphincters around the plug. The anal passage is very sensitive and the slightest stimulation can echo in waves of nerve activity. You can get so sexually excited the pelvic muscles contract, causing the plug to slip out of the anus. This is a normal occurrence, and sometimes a laughable one if the shooting plug gets enough force; as if propelled by rectal rocket power. If your butt plug slips out a lot you might want to switch to one designed for long-term wear.
Another use for a plug is getting the ass warmed up for penetration. When the receptive anal sex partner has worn a butt plug during foreplay, the ass is more relaxed and ready for a good thrusting. You can start off with a small plug, then replace it with a slightly wider one each time, and progressively build up to the width of the dildo or penis. This technique is favored by many anal sex fanatics.
Beginner Plugs and Short-Term Wear
Beginners should buy smaller butt plugs; shorter length and narrower width (diameter). You can eventually work up to larger plugs, in fact you might want to purchase several sizes so you can progressively upgrade with time. A good insertable diameter (width) for beginners is 1 ¼ inches to 1 ½ inches. This number represents the widest penetrating part of the head; the neck of the plug will be thinner. Novices should also avoid textured plugs; your first should be smooth and sleek.
Beginners should always start with a well-lubed anal fingering session before inserting a plug. When your ass is nice and relaxed, insert the lubed plug into your sphincter. Insert only the first part of the plug, let it rest in the anal canal while you relax the sphincters and get used to the feeling. You will most likely have to hold the plug in place to prevent it from slipping out. Insert the rest of the plug at your own pace. When it is fully inserted, the flared base should be just outside your external sphincter. As you feel more comfortable and relaxed the plug will be less foreign and more harmonious with your ass.
Plug novices tend to tense their anal sphincters even after successfully inserting the whole plug. This can cause the plug to shoot out of the anal opening. Just relax, do some deep breathing, and focus on the feeling of fullness. As "crystal-rubbing" as it sounds: you will eventually feel one with the plug. Using a vibrating butt plug is another way to facilitate the relaxation of the ass. Vibration massages the muscles and gets the blood flowing. Increased blood flow promotes greater arousal and more sensation. Relaxed, aroused, blood enriched tissue is an ideal anal environment for rookies. I strongly recommend vibrating toys for beginners. For more information on vibrating anal toys, read the section on Vibration.
New plug users should start with only 15-20 minutes of plug use then gradually build up to longer wear. Some people do not want to wear a plug for an extended time period; others like to wear it all day. Long-term butt plug wear is not recommended for new users.
Recommendations:
Experienced and Long-Term Wear
Experienced butt plug wearers are always looking for the perfect plug "to have and to hold" in their asses. Some plugs have elaborate texturing and others have tails attached to the base. Plugs come in styles with anatomically correct penis "heads" or ergonomically curved shapes for prostate and G-Spot stimulation. There are many well-made, aesthetically pleasing, even kinkier plug styles. The most sought after plugs are those that will stay put for extended periods of time.
The best plugs for long-term wear have bigger, more bulbous heads and slimmer necks. The head does not taper into the neck; this prevents the sphincter from sliding back over it, which would cause the plug to pop out. The Tristan plug by Vixen Creations was designed this way by anal sex aficionado Tristan Taormino (author of The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women) and is one of the best long-term plugs on the market. Long-term wearers can sport a butt plug for hours; they might be running errands or prepping up for a long night of anal pleasure. It is possible wear a plug all day though it is best to remove it every few hours to re-lube.
There are a few ways to keep a plug in place for long-term wear. A pair of well-fitted thong underwear is the old-school method of keeping a butt plug in place while you are out and about. You can make a butt plug harness out of rope or bondage tape. There are also strap-on harnesses manufactured to hold butt plugs in place. This type of butt plug use is not for beginners; it comes with time, practice, and familiarity with what your body is able to handle.
Recommendations:
Long Term Wear
Tristan, Non-Skid Plug, Ryder, Butt & Dildo Harness
Other Plugs:
The Plug, Butt Candy Ribbed, Severin
Recommendations:
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