August is Anal Month
August is here and it's time to ask a timeless, important question — what what (in the butt)? That's right: it's Anal Sex Month! It's the perfect time to have a sphincter celebration, a real rectal royale...or to discover the beauty of booty for the very first time. To help you prepare, we're uploading some essential anal sex tips and sex toy recommendations to ensure that this Anal Sex Month is your most pleasurable yet.
ANAL SEX TIPS & MYTHS
These anal sex tips will be as much about dispelling some common anal sex myths and concerns as they are about technique. We'll say, though, that if you and your partner take these tips into account, the anal sex you have will be extraordinarily better than if you just blindly go for it. Anal Sex Month is about debunking taboos and learning how to have awesome anal sex — not just doing the act itself!
Myth #1: Anal Sex Hurts Like a You-Know-What
Okay, so this one isn't entirely made up — anal sex can be really uncomfortable if you're doing it the wrong way. The anus is a tighter area than the vagina and, unlike the vagina, it doesn't produce any natural lubrication to keep things moving smoothly. The anus's many nerve endings also make it highly sensitive in a different way than the vagina, so penetration is a sensation that takes some getting used to. If you don't accommodate for these differences, you're gonna have a bad time.
That's why following these first two anal sex tips will ensure that your experience isn't a pain in the ass.
Tip #1: USE LUBE
For any form of penetrative sex, lube is your friend. For anal sex, it's your BEST friend. Like we said, the anus can't produce lubricating fluids like the vagina does. It's absolutely essential that you have plenty of body-safe lube on hand, whether a penis, sex toy or even a finger or two is being inserted.
We recommend silicone-based lubes for anal sex since they last a long time and won't cause allergic reactions the way an oil-based lube might. They also won't break down latex condoms, which are a must for any form of penetrative sex with genitalia (and even toys, to make santitizing afterwards easier).
Water-based lubes can work as well if you're using a silicone sex toy — remember that silicone-on-silicone will cause your toy to break down over time! You'll just need to replenish the lubricant
periodically because water-based lubes tend to evaporate and rub in quicker, which can also lead to stickiness.
Tip #2: Take it Slow
We know that porn makes anal seem like something you can just thrust right into, but that's because you're watching the pros — they only got to that point because they have a ton of experience. If you and your partner are trying anal sex for the first time, you'll have to take things much slower.
To start, try stimulating the rim of the anus with a finger or small toy by rubbing gentle circles around it. Next, try putting a lubricated finger or two inside to acclimate your partner to the sensation. From there, you can try small (like, really small) toys like butt plugs and, eventually, work your way up to inserting a penis or dildo that's been slathered up nicely with lube.
Remember that communication is key during this process: if you're the receiver, you need to let your partner know what feels good and what doesn't; if you're the giver, you need to listen. If you work together and move slowly through the steps we suggested, the anus will relax and you'll be in for an amazing experience — or discover that anal sex just isn't for you and move on to other sexy activities that better fit the bill.
Myth #2: Anal Sex is Dirty
We're not just talking about the "taboo" sense here. Many people think that anal sex is unhygienic because, hello, the anus is where poop comes out. And, yeah, you don't have to be an anatomy whiz to understand that one. But as long as you and your partner practice proper hygiene, it won't be nearly as yucky as you've been led to believe.
Tip #3: Anal Sex Prep
If you're mortified that something stinky and totally embarrassing will happen during anal exploration, there are plenty of measures you can take to prepare yourself. First, it's important to go to the bathroom before anal to, uh...clear the way. After that's taken care of, you can shower and use an appropriate body soap to get yourself super squeaky clean if you feel it's necessary.
You can also use a douche or enema to give yourself an extra-deep clean. Just don't use enemas too often — they can dry out your anus and rectum and even mess with the balance of micro bacteria in your gut, which can lead to a whole host of other problems down the line.
Even with all of these precautionary measures, there may still be a bit of brown on the tip of the penis or toy once it is removed from your anus. This is totally normal and happens more often than you might think because, after all, it's your butt. Just go through your usual post-sexy-time cleanup and don't let it ruin Anal Sex Month!
Myth #3: Anal Sex is Taboo
For a long, long time, anal sex was seen as something dirty and, dare we say it, "slutty." On the flip side, it was even thought of as something religious folks engaged in so they could have sex while still "technically" remaining virgins. The truth is, it doesn't matter what your reasons are for wanting to give anal sex a go — it only matters that you and your partner enthusiastically consent because you want to try out a new sexual experience together.
Tip #4: Don't Let Anyone Cramp Your Style
If anyone gives you and your partner a hard time about practicing anal sex, tell 'em to shove it — especially during Anal Sex Month! There's nothing wrong with any form of sex between consenting adults.
