Anal Beads: Use and Information

A Brief Description

It's probably obvious, but for those who don't know, anal beads are a type of adult toy that are intended to stimulate the anus. They usually consist of a series of round beads that are joined together by a long string or cord. One end of this cord usually has a loop or handle, which makes it easy to remove the strand. The beads themselves can be made from a wide variety of materials. They can be made of plastic; which is typically hard and inflexible, silicone; which is generally soft and supple, metal; which is heavy and rock solid, and just about any material in-between. The beads also range in size -- from small all the way up to very large. The size and type of bead you choose will depend on your level of anal toy experience as well as the kind of sensation you prefer. Those with little or no anal bead experience typically start off with smaller beads and, if they enjoy the experience, work their way up to a larger size as their confidence grows.

Styles and Types

The variety of anal beads available is virtually unlimited. There are small beads, large beads, smooth beads, textured beads, long strands of beads, short strands of beads, plastic, silicone, rubber, Cyberskin and metal beads, vibrating anal beads and non-vibrating anal beads. Each material produces a slightly different sensation and has a different price point. Silicone is more expensive than plastic, for example, and the cost of the materials is reflected in the final purchase price. Beginners are typically most satisfied with small, smooth beads that can be replaced with larger, textured beads as their anal toy experience grows.

How to Use Anal Beads

The general concept is that anal beads produce pleasure when they're inserted and subsequently removed from the anus. The anal sphincter has many sensitive nerve endings that create a sense of pleasure when they're stimulated. Anal beads provide this stimulation. Some people prefer the sensations they get when the beads are inserted, and some prefer the feeling they get when the beads are removed. Individual preference aside, anal beads work by stimulating the stretch receptors in the anus, creating pleasure.

Using anal beads is straightforward and simple. The first thing to do is make sure you choose an appropriate bead size. If you have previous experience with anal sex toys you'll probably already have an idea what size bead would work best for you. If you don't have any experience with anal play you might want to start off with small beads, just to be safe. Before you begin, relax your body and mind as much as possible. Forcing a bead into your anus that's too large for your level of experience can be a painful experience. You also want to make sure you have enough lubrication before you begin. Astroglide works well, but there's really no limit when it comes to lubrication. Saliva can even do the trick in a pinch. Whichever type of lubrication you decide to use, make sure you have plenty on hand.

When you're feeling relaxed enough, begin by adding some lubrication to the beads and some to your anus. Applying lubrication to both areas helps reduce friction, making it easier to insert the beads. Insert the beads slowly, one by one. You can do this yourself if you're alone, or have a partner do it for you if you're not. Enjoy the sensation of each bead as it's inserted into your anus. It's important to mention that you should not experience any discomfort or pain. If you do, stop immediately. If the beads are causing pain because they're too large, try inserting something smaller into your anus, like a finger, to loosten it up a bit. Many beginners are apprehensive about anal play, and the natural, physical reaction to something being inserted into your anus is to bear down, tightening the sphincter muscle. Unfortunately this will not make it any easier to insert the beads, and could even cause pain. The key is relaxation and easing into the right size bead.

If you've successfully inserted the beads you can move on to the next step. Begin by carefully pulling the handle, slowly removing the beads one by one. It's important to note that the timing of bead removal is completely up to the user. Some people find that pulling out the beads produces such an intense feeling that they prefer to experience it alone, and that any other stimulation detracts from the experience. On the other hand, some people find that removing the beads just prior to or during orgasm heightens the sensations and creates a more intense orgasm. This is where individual preference comes into play. Try experimenting to find the timing and speed that works best for you.

Will I Enjoy Them?

The answer to this question depends on whether or not you're willing to try anal play and if you enjoy anal stimulation. Many people enjoy anal stimulation, and many people would prefer that no one touch their anus during sex...ever. If you're one of those who enjoys anal stimulation, chances are you would more likely enjoy using anal beads than not. If you don't enjoy anal play, it's doubtful that you'd enjoy anal beads. The best way to judge whether or not you'd enjoy anal beads is to gauge your current level of interest in anal stimulation. The same is generally true for all sex toys. If you enjoy clitoral stimulation you'd probably enjoy a clitoral vibrator. If you like your G-Spot stimulated during sex, you would probably enjoy a G-Spot vibrator. If you like the feeling when your partner stimulates your anus, you might also enjoy anal beads.