My girlfriend and I were curious about other forms of stimulus so we decided to try anal. She didn't want to start with me because of girth and I didn't want to harm her. We purchased The Groove to gradually ease into anal play and it worked perfectly! The Groove was a terrific intro to anal play and it made the whole experience pain free and fun. The base gives you a good place to keep a grip on it while inserting and once you have inserted it up to the last bead it tends to remain in place without too much fuss and functions like an anal plug.

The material is made of a high-grade silicone and therefore still has a little bit of a smell to it. You really have to be close to even detect this odor though, so overall it shouldn't be a problem. The toy is soft, smooth and very flexible, especially at the tip. We are beginners and this toy's texture was very comfortable.

Once it is properly lubed, it can be somewhat tricky to get it inserted. The tip is rather flexible until the third bead or graduation. It will tend to deflect away, and in our case, tickle your partner. Once inserted though, a complete novice was able to comfortably experience it until the last graduation. If you are a beginner, this makes an excellent introduction tool. With some practice, my partner was able to eventually accept the last bead comfortably and then it made a rather nice anal plug. In terms of the size and shape, it is basically an anal bead on a stick. Fast movements in and out weren't pleasurable for my partner but we're still learning. This toy is not discreet at all. I'm not sure what someone would mistake it for other than a sex toy.

As mentioned before, the tip is very flexible. This can make the initial insertion somewhat of a chore, but once inserted, you're fine. If you are new to anal play, it will be the longest six inches of your life. You can easily handle it until the fourth graduation. The fifth and largest bead, is 1.5 inches in diameter, and can take some time to warm up to. Overall, the beads make for a great sensation, when slowly pulled out at the right moments. This makes for some very rewarding climaxes.

This toy does not have any pores or crevices to trap debris. Cleaning and storing it is very easy. We typically use an antibacterial soap and warm water. Washing it in the shower is something that has been done from time to time as well. It is made of silicone so it can be boiled and is safe with water-based lubes. A silicone-based lube might contain a solvent that dissolves the toy, so be mindful of that.