Buyer's Guide to Butt Plugs & Anal Toys
By Mimsy Black

Ah, the anus. Easily the most taboo of bodily orifices, most people have at least some (unfortunate) negative feelings towards their anus. Throughout our lives we've been told that “back there” is dirty and not to be discussed. Any women who like it in the backdoor must be total nympho freaks, or at least deviants. As for the fellas, the myth that only gay men have and enjoy anal sex is remarkably persistent. Well, folks, I'll break it down for you: the anus is a veritable treasure trove of pleasure that has been woefully neglected for far too long. There are actually more nerve endings in the anus that in the genitals, and once you've overcome your fear of the unknown, the anus can be a surprising source of earth-shattering orgasmic pleasure.

This is more of a guide to the types of anal toys themselves than a how-to for first timers, but here are a few quick tips to keep in mind: First and foremost, RELAX. Second, be sure to use a ton of lubricant. Finally, take your time. The sphincter muscles tense up when you move too quickly, which can seem to make rear entry all but impossible.

Is the anus's dirty reputation holding you back? If you have a healthy diet and have had a bowel movement before any anal activity, this shouldn't be as much of a problem as one might imagine. Carefully and gently cleaning your anus can actually be a nice warm-up. A sensual hot shower with some tingly-cool Mint Tree Bathing Gel is a nice way to clean up and relax before any anal play. If you want to get a little more “deep” with your personal cleansing, using water in the Vulcanite Anal Douche is a popular, easy-to-use option.

Not sure where to begin with the anal exploration itself? Remember, your very own fingers are nature's anal toy and can help you decide what you enjoy. Remember what the author of the Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women says: “We are playing with our buttholes, after all…” so have a sense of humor!

About Basic Plugs - The classic butt plug is a simple piece of equipment and is usually recognizable by its shape. Butt plugs are generally small at the top, wider in the middle, and thin at the bottom with a flared base. Some are fuller in the middle than others (see the Tristan as opposed to the Tee Probe). This design is no accident: this is a great shape to use for anal play, and it's safe as can be: the flared base is there to ensure that the toy doesn't escape down that long, dark tunnel. Some, like the Rear Ender, are specially angled for prostate stimulation. The Triple Ripple is a classic with a bit of a twist: the three “bumps” provide a bit of extra stimulation on insertion and retrieval and the unique shape really gives you something to wrap those muscles around. Our Standard Plug selection is comprised mainly of solid rubber plugs like Doc Johnson's Medium Pink Plug, although if you are looking for something more durable we recommend silicone models like Buddy or Ryder. The anus produces no natural lubricant so it's always important to use plenty of lube in your backdoor explorations. Just remember that while silicone-based lubes are great with rubber and jelly plugs, be sure to use water-based formulas with silicone toys to preserve their lifespan.

About Jelly Plugs - Jelly plugs are, obviously, made of the ubiquitous jelly rubber that is so popular nowadays. This rubber is soft and porous, so it must be used with a condom or other protective barrier if you plan on hanging onto it for more than a few romps. Better yet, don't plan on hanging on to a jelly plug for a long time, and always use condoms. The porous material can harbor bacteria, so be sure to clean your jelly toys very thoroughly with hot water and antibacterial soap or toy cleaner, and never use the same jelly toy for vaginal penetration after its been in through the backdoor!

Why use jelly toys at all, then? There are several huge plusses. Jelly rubber toys are versatile, attractive and inexpensive, so they are a nice way to experiment with sizes and shapes without blowing a ton of cash. The only way to figure out what is the most pleasurable for you is to experiment a bit, and play with an inexpensive toy like the SpectraGel Plug can be a valuable learning experience before you graduate to a more long-term toy like it's silicone cousin, Buddy. If you're new to anal toys, try a beginner size plug, like the small Crystal Jelly Plug, and practice holding it in place to get your sphincter muscles used to things going IN rather than coming OUT. Don't forget to use plenty of lube. Silicone-based lubes are particularly nice with jelly toys, but plain old water-based will do the trick as well.

About Silicone Toys - If you want a toy that's going to be in it for the long haul, silicone is a great place to start. Silicone doesn't deteriorate like jellies or standard rubber, so a plug like the Big Flirt or a probe like the Lavender Silk can be a permanent addition to your toy box.

There is a wide array for designs available in silicone. Some silicone toys - like the slim, elegant Willow - are strategically curved, making them ideal candidates for introducing the man in your life to anal pleasures, or for probing for your woman's elusive G-Spot. Tristan is a plug specially designed to stay put by the author of the Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women. Even rigid-looking designs like the Silver Stud and amazingly comfortable thanks to the properties of this wonder material.

Clean up is a dream with these toys - it can be completely sterilized with a dunk in boiling water - or even washed in the dishwasher! Silicone is amazingly resilient, and it also warms to body temperature when inserted.

About Glass and Metal Toys – Anal toys made of glass and metal are gaining in popularity and it's easy to see why – they're easy to clean, last a lifetime, and they provide a very different feeling than traditional plugs made of jelly or silicone. Be careful, however, to avoid moving around a lot with glass and metal inside your body. If the plug hits your tailbone, you're in for quite a jolt.

Great toys to start with are Small Glass Plug and the Dichroic Wrapped Mini Rocket. They're small enough to be unintimidating, and large enough to get a real feel for glass. For a more pronounced beaded feel, try the Blue Spiral Probe. Metal toys come in various sizes of Stainless Steel Plugs. Let experience be your guide when choosing glass and metal, and never be afraid to start small and work your way bigger.

About Vibrating Plugs - Some folks like a bit of a buzz in the backdoor, and there are currently a variety of multi-speed vibrators especially for the read end available. Some are plugs that have a traditional cord and battery pack/control attached, like the jelly Tush Teaser. Other models, like the silicone Zing, come with a surprisingly powerful mini vibe, which is inserted in the hollowed out base of the toy. This type of vibrating plug is particularly versatile - you can leave the vibrator out for a traditional plug experience while you use the tiny vibe on the clitoris or any other sensitive area. Vibrating plugs tend towards the medium and larger sizes, but there are some smaller options available like the Prostate Massager.

Probes & Anal Tools - Probes and anal tools are a diverse bunch, but there are some key features you should look for. Always make sure that any toy you intend to use to probe the rear end has a sufficiently flared base. This is to prevent the probe from slipping irretrievably into the rectum - sounds far fetched, but it can happen. Doc Johnson has recently released vibrating versions of their popular purple jelly anal tools - the Beaded Vibe and the Ripple Vibe have proved to be a big hit. The usual caveats apply to jelly probes and tools as far as safety goes: always use a condom with jelly toys, and don't plan on hanging onto them forever.

Another option in anal tools is the anal douche. The Vulcanite Anal Douche is easy-to-use and designed for comfort. If you decide to douche, remember that water is the only safe liquid for douching – never use harsher chemicals like vinegar.

Anal eroticism is slowly but surely gaining acceptance in bedrooms across America. Why be left out? Exploring the erotic possibilities of the ass can open up a whole new chapter in your sexual history. And you'll never know what you're missing unless you give it a shot!

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