Anal sex used to be considered one of the most taboo sexual acts, but that’s clearly not the case anymore. Data published from the National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior in 2010 found that 20-30 percent of those surveyed said they regularly engaged in giving and/or receiving anal penetration — so you can imagine how that percentage might look today. Pop culture backs this up, too; pick up any magazine with a sexual health section and you’ll likely read something about back-door loving. These days, pegging is mainstream and analingus isn’t that big of a deal. In other words, a sizeable segment of pleasure product consumers have anal play needs beyond the basics.
While beginner anal toys and kits are important, butt exploration doesn’t end there. These types of devices are often just a jumping off point. Experimentation with entry-level toys gives users the space to let go of their inhibitions about butt play. It also allows them to get used to the feeling of anal and determine what sensations they do or don’t like. Lastly, it helps them understand their body’s specific needs and limitations, which is very important if they intend to move on to more extreme play. People often find they’re ready to graduate to more intense toys after they have accomplished these things.
Before deciding which toys to try next, it’s important to help shoppers determine what their end goal is.
Before deciding which toys to try next, it’s important to help shoppers determine what their end goal is. Are they looking for a more intense experience using bigger toys? What about prostate play? Perhaps they simply want toys with a little novelty factor? Let’s take a closer look at each type of upgrade so you know what to recommend.
Extreme Anal Toys
If your customer’s philosophy is “bigger is better,” there are a number of devices you can suggest that will stretch their limits. Before going there, however, it’s important to remember beginner anal basics.
First, only use toys made for anal play. These have a handle or flared base preventing them from getting lost inside. Next, lube is everyone’s best friend. Remember, the bigger they sex toy going inside, the more lube they’ll need – and they’ll likely have to reapply often. Make sure you have plenty of anal-friendly lubricant on hand and in containers larger than the usual eight-ounce bottles. Before engaging in any type of extreme anal play, many opt to prep by cleaning themselves out with an anal douche. The deeper and bigger they go, the more likely they are to encounter fecal matter (it’s part of the deal!). While there is nothing inherently wrong with this, many folks consider it a turn-off, which is why we offer the Travel Enema Water Bottle Adapter Set from CleanStream. This all-purpose anal douche for home or travel attaches to disposable water bottles turning it into an instant enema bottle.
It’s also important to remember that rectal tissue is delicate and needs to be treated with care when sizing up with sex toys. Remind shoppers that it’s important to gradually increase the size of the toys — don’t go straight to something the size of a fist after using a traditional anal plug, especially if it’s for the first time. Think of graduating to larger anal toys as a long-distance marathon … and definitely not a sprint.
The Hosed 19 Inch Graduated Bead Anal Snake can be used as an alternative to a multi-piece kit for extreme anal training. This toy doubles as an all-purpose anal stretching trainer, and it’s even great for those into anal gaping. It consists of eight beads that graduate in diameter from one inch to 3.5 inches; the smaller beads are akin to an average butt toy and can be used to go a little deeper and bigger. Each ball is numbered, so users can keep track of where they left off.
Along similar lines is the Giant Ribbed Anal Cone from Master Series. Rather than being beaded, this cone-shaped insertable gradually levels up from 1.5 inches to 3.9 inches in diameter. This gradual but sizeable increase helps push the boundaries of backdoor play and also sports an insertable length of 10.25 inches for deep anal probing.
Prostate Play
People with prostates get bonus pleasure from anal play. The prostate is analogous to the G-spot – in fact it’s sometimes called “the male G-spot” or the“P-spot.” It’s located about three to four inches inside the rectum and is located near the deepest portion of the root of the penis. Stimulating the prostate can produce incredibly powerful orgasms and even multiple orgasms. While most butt toys feel good to people with prostates, not all of them are going to stimulate it most effectively; toys made for prostate play have a signature prostate curve. These hit the P-spot most directly and produce the most intense sensations.
Novel Butt Toys Even the Most Adventurous Can Get Behind
Some folks looking to take their butt game to the next level don’t necessarily need something bigger but rather, cuter. There’s something about anal adventures that can invoke a sense of whimsy and encourage playfulness in lovers. Some butt plugs double as costume pieces and are especially popular to those into animal play. The Rainbow Ponytail Anal Plug from Tailz, for example, has a full 20 inches of soft, smooth, multi-colored synthetic hair attached to a silicone butt plug. With Tailz, shoppers can find butt plugs with nearly any type of animal tail ranging from puppy to pig.
Our new Booty Sparks line blings up shoppers back door. The Red Heart Anal Plug has a beautiful heart-shaped, ruby-colored jewel that sits atop a lightweight aluminum butt plug. Metal butt plugs are not only easy to slip inside and comfortable to wear, they are also perfect for temperature play. A few minutes in the refrigerator or a bowl of hot water adds to the anal adventure. Shoppers can choose from a plug topped with a clear jewel or ceramic rose-shaped design instead.
Anal play isn’t just a fad, it’s here to stay. While it’s essential to carry the basics, don’t stop there. Novice anal adventurers don’t stay newbies for long and many go on to seek bigger, better, and more novel things. Make sure you always stock a varied selection butt toys for those looking to level up their anal game.
Rebecca Weinberg is the general manager of XR Brands, which specializes in fetish and BDSM with full-spectrum product development and design to create a series of fully merchandised collections dedicated to the lifestyle.
