-The Pleasures Of Anal Sex By Laura Weide, Toys in Babeland We live in a very butt phobic culture. Look at our language: Rude inconsiderate people are "assholes" and uptight stress cases are "tight asses." While it's true that we carry a phenomenal amount of our stress in our assholes, there's tremendouspleasure to be experienced from the concentration of nerve endings clustered in and around the anus. So why are back door pleasures so taboo? Many people have mordant fear of coming into contact with bits of fecal matter, and homophobia pervades attitudes about anal sex creating the fallacious notion that only 'only gay men do that.' Poor butts, so many nerve endings just aching to be stimulated, and so much stigma to overcome! Who likes butt sex? Everyone! Although it can be fun to play with taboos and get hot and nasty about being transgressive, people of all sexual orientations, attitudes and approaches to sex get into the joys of butt love. And for good reason: it feels good. The anus and the rectum are sensitive areas. There is a wealth of muscles and nerve endings around the anus and the right kind of touch can feel fantastic. All men have prostate glands that can only be reached through the rectum (to find your prostate insert a finger or small curved toy anally about two inches in and press towards the belly). Many men have orgasms just from pressure on the prostate. Women's G-spots are easily stimulated rectally as well. There are two sphincters of the anus, the outer one, which creates the pucker that you can see, and the inner sphincter that you can feel if you insert your finger in your anus. The tissue of the rectum is sensitive, it doesn't self-lubricate as does the vagina, and it can suffer little micro tears and abrasions quite easily. So be gentle, and use lots and lots of lube. Lube is the butt fucker's best friend. Thicker water based lubes and silicone lubes are latex compatible and the best for anal play. Remember, oils break down condoms and gloves, so if you are practicing safer sex, leave the can of Crisco for the porn videos and grab a thick water based lube like Maximus or, better yet, reduce the need to reapply and go with a long lasting slick silicone lube like Eros. Free Your Mind And Your Ass Will Follow: To enjoy butt sex (any anal stimulation, not just penetration), one first must reclaim one's ass from the gaping maw of our sex phobic, homophobic, butt phobic culture. Begin by checking in with your ass- is it squinched up tight? Try to let yourself relax. Doing some exercises with your anal muscles is key to learning to relax the anal area. Try clenching your butt muscles and holding for 2 seconds, then releasing for 5. Breathe out and imagine you are relaxing your anus. When bathing, give your asshole some extra attention. Soap up and stroke it. Slide a finger in and tighten your ass around your fingers so you can feel the difference between a relaxed and a clenched asshole. Here is a selection of our Babeland butt sex favorites with more anal pleasure tips at the end :http://babeland.com/ Butt Toys There are many different kinds of toys for ass play. Be sure that your anal toys have a flared base to prevent them from sliding into your anus.Also, the rectum is curved, so toys that are hard and straight can be uncomfortable if pushed to far inside. Sheath your anal toys in latex if you are going to share them, or make sure you boil them (if they are silicone) in between uses, it's possible to pass HIV, Hepatitis and bacteria through sharing anal toys. Plugs - Butt plugs are charming toys that have a recess at the base, so that the sphincter muscles will close around it,and the plug will stay inside. Many people enjoy the feeling of fullness while they do other things, like writing articles for websites, or while they are having other kinds of sexual stimulation. Pendant - Supple silky silicone, the Pendant is a gorgeously colored basic styled butt plug that is tapered for gentle insertion. It's designed to stay put, this jewel of a toy has a half-inch recess to keep it securely in place. A good beginners design. Stealth Plug - More than a secret agent's gadget, this finger-sized tapered vibrating plug offers stimulating anal vibration and is nearly noise-less. Soft, translucent, lavender jelly rubber surrounds a small vibrator, which is encased in thick rubber to make it more durable, comfortable and easier to clean. Anal vibration is not only shockingly exquisite, it can further help relax the sphincter. Ripple Plug - An anal toy we can really get behind. Crafted of luscious soft lavender silicone with a shiny metallic sheen, the waves cascading down the shaft start small and gradually widen, allowing you to start slow and build arousal with increasing sensations. Buddy - A dazzling plug and a friend for life, this plug is made of firmer silicone and a round chunky ball at the base, perfectly sized Buddy is big enough to satisfy and small enough to pop into place. The tapered tip makes for easy insertion and the gentle bend at the top angles the toy perfectly for prostate stimulation. Anal Beads - The repeated opening and closing of the anal sphincters created with inserting and removing anal beads in and of itself and put many people over the edge into orgasm. Beads come in all sizes and materials, and are a series of beads knotted into place along a string with a ring on the end. Ultra-Violet Beads - Dazzle your senses with this gorgeous-looking, fantastic-feeling, electric-purple strand of firm rubber beads crafted onto a flexible stem. As pleasurable to insert as they are to remove, just lube them up and insert them one at a time. Pull them out quickly as you approach orgasm or slowly, one at a time, to build up the crescendo. Easier to clean than plastic beads-- and you don't have to file down roughh edges. Dildos - For that unmatched in-and-out sensation, you can use dildos by hand, or strap them into a harness. Check out the Bend Over Boyfriend I & II video series for steamy anal sex scenes and instruction for women interested in strapping it on andpenetrating a lucky guy. Willow - This silicone dildo is a great choice for a first time anal sex strap-on scene or any one who prefers a smaller dildo. Smooth, curved and sleight in diameter, this dildo is easy to maneuver in a harness and perfectly curved for prostate stimulation. Mistress - A tall drink of water that refreshes with out being too filling! Bright colored silicone and semi-realistic design, the Mistressis long, but thinner than most other dildos of her length, making her a popular choice for those who prefer the "two finger"approach for anal play. Say, "thank you 'Mam." Butt Play Tips Anal sex should not hurt. When the inner sphincter is tight, anal penetration can create a sharp intense pain. Stop. You need to back up and create more stimulation and arousal to soften the sphincter. Pain is an indication from your body that something isn't right, and forcing things will only create discomfort and potential tissue damage.Go slowly. If you're with a partner, communicate about what feels good and let your feelings be your guide. Start with just one finger. Rimming, licking and mouthing around and in the anus, can feel fantastic, but use a Glyde Dam if you want to avoid transmission of bacteria and disease. For more info on anal sex check out the book Anal Pleasure and Health by Jack Morin and The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women by Tristan Taormino. Oh yes, poop. It's not unusual for bits of fecal matter to stick to fingers, toys or penises during a heated bout of anal sex. Latex gloves and condoms help you maintain cleanliness. But if a bit of brown dirt disturbs you, try douching with water a few hours before your date. Our Anal Douche is a small, easy to use bulb with a tapered tip. Happy Anal Adventures! © 2002 by Laura Weide