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Youll find no shortage of explanatory pieces on the Internet when it comes to butt stuff.
Megan Madden / Refinery29 for Getty Images
There aresomany ways to explore the butt.
Some people use fingers, while others prefer dildos or butt plugs.
And, of course, people enjoy a mix of things.
Yet in all of this ongoing hoopla, weve forgotten a key player: anal beads.
Anal beads are the unsung hero of butt play.
Butt plugsand anal beads are two different toys, although they both go in the anus.
There is no reason to feel embarrassed about wanting to explore butt stuff.
Will there be some poop?
Possibly, butif you clean up thoroughly, youll be just fine.
You might come in contact with some fecal matter, but this simply goes with the territory.
The sooner we move on from that, the sooner we can delight in the butt fully.
Everyone, after all, has an anus.
The anus is a huge area of pleasurable possibility.
You dont need to put anything all the way inside of the butt to enjoy it.
The anal opening is clustered with nerves, making any play with toys very enjoyable.
As the beads are removed, they arouse the sensitive nerve endings of the sphincter muscle, Sinclair says.
This stimulation creates a series of pleasurable sensations, like having a muscle massaged.
Sign me up, like.
Here is what you better know about anal beads and all their multidimensional wonders.
Where to begin as a newbie when youre looking for that perfect fit?
Sinclair says that if youre a beginner, its best to choose beads with graduated sizes.
Meaning, ones that start small on the string and grow in size as you move up.
You should start with anal beads that come with three to four beads.
No one needs a trip to the ER, amiright?
Materials for anal beads, like all sex toys, vary widely depending on where you buy them.
Simply put: Do not buy cheap, crappy sex toys.
These materials can never be fully disinfected.
Yes, this is exactly what it sounds like: Your anal beads will have lingering poop on them.
Silicone is my go-to material of choice, Sinclair tells SELF.
Its body-safe, non-porous, and all you need is mild soap and warm water to clean.
Vibrating anal beads can be a super-fun way to ease yourself into playing with this new toy.
It promotes relaxation and can amplify the pleasurable sensations, she says.
At b-Vibe, we specialize in vibrating anal beads and playing with different points and patterns of vibration.
(If vibration isnt your thing, there are plenty of body-safe silicone anal beads that dont vibrate.
Its all about preference.)
There are so many different kinds to choose from.
you’re free to use anal beads alone or with a partner.
Be sure you have a ton of lube on hand.
Avoid silicone-based lubes with silicone toys; in other words, stick to water-based lube.
I recommend Sustain Natural for all play, including anal.
If you are more of an oil-based lover, Im obsessed withCocoLube.
Otherwise, you risk transferring bacteria or STIs.
Relax and breathe before insertion.
I suggest starting on your side if this is your first time.
You dont want your butt hole to be tensed up.
Put the beads in one at a time, checking in with yourself and your partner along the way.
Once they are inside, youll feel fullness and receive pleasure as they move inside you, Sinclair says.
you might stop whereverthere’s no pressure at all to go the full length of the beads.
After youre finished getting busy, wash your anal beads right away.
You dont want to leave lingering bacteria on your toys.
Use a mild antibacterial soap and leave them on a towel to air dry.
Be sure to pay special attention to any nooks and crannies.
If youre really into sanitizing, I absolutely love theUVee Box.
It uses UV light to remove 99.9 percent of surface bacteria on your toys.
I use it for everything in my house from my cell phone to my jewelry.
Its a worthy investment.
Do away with shame!
Go boldly into butt play and have the most fun!