If you are new to anal sex toys, start off by wearing it for short periods of time

It’s important to consider size when you start looking into anal toys. This is especially important when choosing butt plugs, because they vary hugely in size depending upon your experience level and needs. Start with smaller sized products, and slowly work up to larger sizes. Graduating in size can be done over the course of weeks, months, or not at all – stop whenever you feel comfortable.

7. Be safe

Since butt plugs and anal beads can be enjoyed hands-free, they should always have a flared base. Otherwise, there’s a significant risk of the product slipping too far into the anal canal and traveling up the colon – which may cause serious bodily harm. A flared base prevents the toy from being inserted entirely and makes retrieval not only easy but possible.

It’s never a good idea to take a brand new toy for a spin outside in public, say during a long dinner or a concert.

8. Never forget the lube

When it comes to any kind of anal play, using lubricant is essential. The anus does not lubricate naturally like the vagina, so you need to help it out a bit. Since a butt plug can stay in the body for long periods of time, you should always apply enough lubricant to ensure the easy and pleasurable removal of the plug. Our motto is ‘Slow and Slippery’.

9. Think about materials

This is often a topic that people pass up in favour of convenience or price, but it’s imperative to consider the material makeup of your products when selecting an anal toy. Avoid low-grade materials, including petroleum products that can irritate the lining of the anal canal. Always buy ‘body-safe’, hypoallergenic, latex-free, and phthalate-free products.

• Stainless steel toys can be used for temperature play (hot/cold) and it feels very smooth and doesn’t drag the skin (but is obviously heavier and completely non-flexible).

• Crystal or glass butt plugs are really beautiful and usually lighter in weight than metal toys, but it’s important to make sure that they’re made by responsible brands and that they’re reinforced enough to stay intact and not break at their weakest point – the neck of the toy.

• Silicone is one of the most common body-safe materials. Silicone butt plugs are body-safe, can easily be sanitised and they have a good amount of flexibility, which is particularly important for beginners to anal play.

10. You can add vibration

Vibration is a feature of butt plugs that can bring new dimensions to anal pleasure. The amazing thing about vibration is that it’s not only a pleasurable sensation, but it also relaxes muscles – which is really helpful when you’re first starting off.

Butt plugs like b-Vibe’s Trio or the Rimming plug, have a motor at the tip. This means that they can easily transfer vibration to the prostate in men and male-bodied people, or the perineal sponge and the anterior fornix erogenous zone (also known as the A-spot) in women and those with vaginas.

11. There are many ways to enjoy anal sex toys

It’s a common misconception that butt plugs are just a warm-up for anal intercourse. Of course they can be, but they can also be the main course. You can wear them for solo pleasure, as part asiame apk hile of your masturbation routine, just because they make you feel naughty, or even during a date in public. Each partner can be wearing them during vaginal sex, or during the entire intimate time together. However, the best thing about butt plugs, is that can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of age, gender or sexual orientation.

Another hygiene element to keep in mind is the notion of ‘double dipping’. Basically, this means that you shouldn’t ever touch the anus and vagina with the same hand, or sex toys (without cleaning thoroughly beforehand). The anus and the vagina are two very distinct ecosystems, and you don’t want to spread bacteria from the anus to the vagina.

• Stainless steel toys can be used for temperature play (hot/cold) and it feels very smooth and doesn’t drag the skin (but is obviously heavier and completely non-flexible).

Your first experience with a new anal sex toy might result in some surprising sensations. Practicing solo gives you the chance to be both the giver and the receiver, which is super helpful when you do eventually add another person to the mix.