Pleasure Mechanics

The first rule of anal penetration: do not spread bacteria from the anus to the genitals. Think of the anus and the genitals as distinct areas - even while stimulating the two at the same time. Do not touch the anus and genitals with the same hand, and wash your hands or change gloves if you switch from one area to the other. 

The anus and the genitals are two distinct ecosystems and you do not want to spread bacteria from the anus to the genitals. Keep one hand reserved for anal touch, the other clean for genital touch. Our anal play video guides demonstrate simultaneous genital and anal stimulation using two hands - this is one of the most pleasurable ways to stimulate the entire sexual system at once. 

You can use nitrile or latex gloves for quick and easy clean-up, so your hands can keep moving without a break to wash your hands. Again, practice common sense - if you use gloves, change them often and anytime you switch activities. If you don't wear gloves, go to the bathroom and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water. 

One of the most common concerns about internal anal stimulation is poop. Feces, stool - whatever you want to call it - poop is not what most people want to encounter during sex. Thankfully, it is much worse in your imagination than in reality. Poop is not stored in the rectum, the area you will be touching with even deep internal touch. Poop passes through the rectum only when you are actively having a bowel movement. If you have had a bowel movement recently, there is not large amounts of feces in the rectum - you may find trace amounts, but that is it. Most people can enjoy anal play for years without ever having a major gross-out. The pleasure most people get out of anal play (especially when done with skill, confidence and patience) more than makes up the slight discomfort you'll feel if you touch a trace amount of your lover's poop.

Of course, you can also completely minimize the chances of touching poop. The person receiving anal touch can rinse out internally, creating assurance that the rectum is clean. Or, the giver of anal touch can wear gloves. 

Another essential tool for pleasurable anal penetration and anal sex is lubricant. Water-based lubricants are now readily found in every major drugstore and even many supermarkets. Silicone-based lubricants are a great choice for anal play, as they will stay slick and not dry out like water based lubricants. See our complete guide to choosing a lube for complete information.

Use plenty of lube, reapplying when needed. External and internal anal massage can be highly arousing, without a moment of discomfort. If you experience any pain at any point in the massage, slow down or stop. There is no need to endure anything.

Preparing for anal play can make this intimate exchange more pleasurable and allow you to relax deeper into the experience. Thorough cleansing prior to the sexual encounter will take your worries away, and proper hygiene including gloves and lubricant will make the experience more enjoyable for both you and your partner.

Arousal is an important part of preparing for anal play. To make anal play as pleasurable as possible for women, include lots of foreplay and arousal before touching the anus. Our Guide to Fingering shows you how to stimulate her entire sexual system to create intense arousal before you use the techniques demonstrated in our Guide to Anal Play for Women. 

Remember, anal penetration is just as pleasurable for some men as it is for some women. If your man is into anal play, check out our Guide to Handjobs to learn how to simulate his entire sexual system and create intense arousal. The combination of prostate massage and handjobs creates an incredible erotic experience for men.