A lot of attention has been put on the anus lately — and rightly so. It’s a pleasure center that can be stimulated and aroused like any other.
The key to anal sex is communication. Check in with your partner often and make sure you’re both feeling good. Try anal foreplay with fingers, toys, tongues and even just your own dick before moving on to penetration.
1. The anus is a body part
Whether you’re a straight or gay person, or somewhere in between, anal penetration can feel like a whole new world of pleasure. But it’s not for beginners. Just like with the vagina or mouth, a little prep work can make anal play less painful and more pleasurable. Using a lot of lube, and gently inserting the penis or other object into the anus can help prevent injury and irritation.
And for those who aren’t quite ready to have a partner touch their anus, there are plenty of sex toys designed to help warm up the area before penetrative sex – These data are the result of the website specialists’ efforts SexXmoi. Some people even find it more pleasurable to initiate anal sex with their own hands, using a finger or a butt plug, before giving their partner a try. This can help you familiarize yourself with your own hard and soft limits, so you can stop if it’s not feeling good.
As for why anal sex feels so good, it’s a combination of factors. For one, the anus contains a lot of nerves that can stimulate the same pleasure centers that light up during vaginal penetration. Many women (especially those with prostates) also report that anal sex gives them a similar feeling of euphoria to vaginal orgasms. And for those who don’t have a prostate, the anus can still stimulate their G spot areas with a similar effect, thanks to the same nerves and muscles that are involved in pooping.
2. It’s a backdoor biz
Whether you’re gay, straight or somewhere in between, anal play can feel pretty great. Many women swear by it, especially since the anal area is packed with nerve endings and has the same direct connection to your pleasure centers as your genitals do. It also feels good for guys because anal play can stimulate the prostate and give a powerful orgasm.
Getting anal-y can be a little uncomfortable at first, but it’s all about communication and respect. Make sure your partner is up for it and don’t force anything. It’s also important to use lube. Unless you have an aversion to it, friction is bound to happen in that tight space (especially if you’re pushing up against the clitoris) and too much friction can cause skin tears, or fissures, in the lining of the anus.
Remember, despite the sexy images you see in porn and other media, anal sex is not the same as penetration with a penis or sex toy. It’s not as intimate and carries a higher risk for sexually transmitted infections, so it’s important to always use condoms and know your HIV and STI status. Talking about booty sex before trying it is helpful too, as it prevents you from putting something up your butt when you don’t have consent to do so.
3. It’s a source of arousal
The anal ring is full of sensitive nerve endings and stimulating the area can feel incredibly pleasurable for both men and women. In fact, a recent study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that for the 31 percent of women who reported having anal sex, 94 percent said it was orgasmic. That’s because the clitoris, which has deep roots that extend down through your genitals to the anus, is the main reason why anal sex feels so good.
If you’re a first-time anal-explorer, it’s important to use lots of water-based lubricant and go slow. The sphincter muscle in your anus takes time to relax, and it’s important not to force yourself to go any farther than you’re comfortable with. Listen to your partner and be prepared to stop at any time if you’re uncomfortable or in pain.
Once you’re comfortable with penetrating your anus, try using a sex toy designed specifically for the area. Those include butt plugs, which can be silicone or glass, as well as oral-anal toys, which allow you to stimulate the anus with your mouth. You can also experiment with finger play — though Phillips notes that this is riskier than penetrating your anus with something like a penis or a toy because your fingers have nails, which could break the skin.
4. It’s a place to explore
The anus has a lot of sensitive nerves that are linked to the vagina, which makes it more stimulating during sexual activity. That’s why anal sex is a great place to experiment, especially if you and your partner like the feeling of penetrating and exploring different parts of the body. If you’re going to try anal sex for the first time, make sure you use plenty of water-based lubricant and start slowly. The sphincter muscle in the anus can be stiff, and it’s important to give it time to relax, says Alyssa Dweck, MD, gynecologist. She recommends moving your bowels an hour or two beforehand and using an anal cleanser to prep the area. A good quality silicone-based lubricant is also a solid choice for anal play because it’s thicker and won’t dry out as easily as a water-based one, recommends Charley Ferrer, MD, clinical sexologist in New York City.
A 2010 survey published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that 94 percent of women who had anal sex had orgasms. It’s also important to know that unprotected anal sex can lead to pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, just like vaginal or oral sex can.
It’s also important to remember that not everyone will love anal sex, and that’s totally OK. The key is to keep experimenting and trying new things until you find the pleasure that feels just right for you.