Anal stimulation is a healthy and pleasurable activity that can be enjoyed as part of your sex life. Anal play can range from light external anal touch to full anal sex. But as arousing as it can be, many people hold back out of  concern about the hygiene of anal play.

Curious about the Pleasure Mechanics approach to anal play? Listen in to this podcast episode to hear about how you can have anal play experiences that are 100% pleasurable, 100% pain free.

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Preparing For Anal Play

This article gives you all the information you need to take care of anal hygiene so you can relax and enjoy the pleasurable potential of anal play.

Many people find that using basic anal hygiene practices to prepare for anal play allows them to relax and enjoy the experience more fully.

This is simply one way to take care of yourself and your sexuality so you can enjoy the pleasures available to you.

When you are ready to master the skill of pleasurable anal stimulation and anal sex, check out our Anal Sex Mastery Online Course. All of our courses teach explicit sex skills without pornography, so you can easily master new techniques in the comfort of your own home. All Pleasure Mechanics online courses are backed by a 30 day, no questions asked guarantee – so there is nothing to lose, and so much pleasure to gain!

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Anal Hygiene 101

The external anal sphincter is one of the most sensitive places on the human body. You can enjoy huge amounts of anal pleasure without any penetration.

The minimum preparation for enjoying external anal play is a regular bowel movement followed by complete external cleansing. Washing the external anal area with warm soap and water is often enough to allow you to feel at ease.

Baby wipes can also be useful to keep around for simple, quick and gentle clean-ups. The bottom line (so to speak) is keeping your intimate areas clean so you are relaxed and comfortable when you are engaging with yourself or your lover.

Prepping for anal can be as simple as this: keep it clean and freshen up!   Some people like to shave, wax or otherwise remove hair around their anus. This is completely a personal preference. If you do have hair in the area, be sure to use plenty of lubricant during anal play to allow for smooth glides without pulling the hair in this sensitive area.

Latex or vinyl gloves are a great tool for anal play. With a glove on, you don’t have to worry about touching trace amounts of poop. Gloves also smooth out the edges of your fingernails. Changing gloves is easy anytime you want to switch between touching the anus and then genitals or return to full body touch. Some people find the idea of gloves clinical. Get over this association and after a few pleasurable experiences you may find yourself getting turned on at the sight of your lover pulling on a glove!

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Keep It Clean!

Here is one essential anal hygiene tip: Do not touch the anus and genitals with the same hand without washing up or changing gloves!

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 online courses 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. Just make sure you dedicate one hand to each area, and use clean gloves anytime you want to switch it up.

Our online courses 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. Just make sure you dedicate one hand to each area, and use clean gloves anytime you want to switch it up.

After Anal Play, Wash Your Hands!

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.

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Rinse Out

An internal rinse is not necessary for anal hygiene, but many people find they can relax more during anal sex after taking this step. An internal rinse can help you feel “cleaner” which for many people is a positive step towards receiving pleasurable anal touch.

Use a simple bulb enema with plain warm water to rinse out internally. Never use an enema with vinegar or other harsh ingredients. Simple bulb enemas can be found at any drugstore or ordered online. We don’t recommend using large enema bags, as they tend to cause more problems than they solve!

To use a small bulb enema, fill it with warm water (not hot!) and gently insert the tip, using lube if needed. Then squeeze the water into the rectum and immediately let it pass into the toilet. Repeat this process until the water flushes clean.

Remember, poop is not stored in the rectum, it merely passes through during an active bowel movement. So you are simply flushing out the trace amounts that may remain behind.

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Lube Up for More Pleasurable Anal Play

Another essential tool for anal hygiene 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.   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 with basic anal hygiene practices 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 anal hygiene strategies including gloves and lubricant* will make the experience more enjoyable for both you and your partner.

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Arousal: The Most Essential Ingredient

Arousal is also 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 Foreplay Mastery Course shows you how to stimulate her entire sexual system to create intense arousal before you use the techniques demonstrated in our Anal Sex Mastery Course.

Interested in male anal stimulation? Our Prostate Massage Mastery Course has everything you need to enjoy the intense thrills of prostate stimulation.

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* please note some links on this page are affiliate links, and if you choose to make a purchase we will receive a small percentage as thanks for the referral. We only link to resources we know, trust and love!

Many people are hesitant to explore anal sex out of fear of the “ick” factor. Don’t let fear of mess stop you from exploring this highly erogenous zone. Simple hygiene and preparation can make all the difference and allow you to relax as you receive anal stimulation. Being able to relax is essential to enjoy anal play, so consider preparation to be a crucial part of getting ready to enjoy this highly intimate form of touch.

If you are going to be enjoying external anal touch, read our guide to preparing for external stimulation.

If you are planning on including penetration, here is all you need to know about how to prepare for anal sex.

Ready to get started? Master the skills of anal pleasure with our online courses!

For Women: Anal Sex Mastery

For Men: Prostate Massage Mastery