Everything you need to know about anal beads

Whether you’re new to anal beads or they’re a staple item in your sex toy collection, they can be a great way to experiment with different kinds of pleasure. From helping to prepare for anal sex for the first time (often as a less intimidating introduction), to adding some extra fun to anal play, however you use them, they promise to enhance your orgasm.

In terms of their ‘anatomy’, most anal beads are tapered. They often start with a tiny bead and get bigger with the length you take in. Again, this is why they’re great for beginners as it means your body can adjust to the size slowly. They’re not remotely as scary as they may look, and are really easy to pop in.

And while people with prostates tend to enjoy anal beads as they can help stimulate and massage the gland, those without prostates can also enjoy the sensation they create. The anus has loads of nerve endings too, so we’d be a fool to neglect them, right? But a word of caution before embarking on any anal exploration: the anus can stretch and is a delicate body part, meaning you must always take great care.

Here, Lovehoney’s sex expert Annabelle Knight explains how to use anal beads safely.

How to use anal beads

1. Lube up

First things first, Knight advises lubricating the anal beads and your bottom with a toy-friendly anal lubricant, before “positioning yourself comfortably”. Be aware that many anal beads are made from silicone, so you mustn’t use them in conjunction with silicone-based lubes. Instead, Knight recommends going for a water-based lube as this won’t damage the toy.

This Liquid Silk water-based lube is a bedside drawer must-have. It’s long-lasting, isn’t sticky, has no taste or smell, and is safe for sensitive skin.

Liquid Silk Lube 250ml

£13 at Lovehoney

2. Inserting anal beads

When it comes to inserting the anal beads, you should start by gently pushing the first bead inside you. Knight says: “Get used to the sensation of gentle anal penetration”. Then, when you feel ready, “insert more, using one hand to push the beads in and the other hand to keep your anus spread”.

3. Find your ‘hot zone’

If you’re a beginner, Knight notes that your first set of anal beads should be incredibly flexible. Why? Well, this extra flexibility allows you to “stimulate various areas inside you until you find your hot zone”. She also says it’s totally fine to keep them in during intercourse or other sexual play.

These Lovehoney silicone beads are nice and bendy, affordable and made from body-safe silicone.

Lovehoney Classic Silicone Anal Beads 10 Inch

£13 at Lovehoney

4. For the adventurous

If you’re a bit of a pro by this point and are looking for a way to spice things up, Knight recommends investing in some vibrating anal beads. She dubs them as a “good next step” that can give you an “added thrill”. Plus, she says, “many people find the vibrations create a pleasurable effect similar to analingus or rimming”.

5. Timing is everything

Just like anything in the bedroom — be it solo or with your partner — timing is super important. Whether your lover is enjoying the anal beads or you’re feeling the thrill, you can really take things up a notch by slowly pulling the beads out during orgasm. Obviously, if you’re doing the pulling on your partner, they’ll “have to let you know when blast-off is”, says Knight.

6. Play safe

No one wants an awkward trip to A&E because your anal play has gone wrong, right? So, it’s really important that you’re safe when experimenting with any kind of toy. In terms of anal beads, always make sure the ones you use have a ring/handle on the end to prevent them from slipping fully inside you. Knight adds: “The anus acts somewhat like a vacuum, so you need something to anchor your toy in place to prevent it getting sucked up.”

7. Keep it clean

If you’ve got hygiene on the brain (which, BTW, we should all have to maintain said safety), Knight recommends first “rinsing out the anus before play with a gentle anal douche”.

But, be careful, as “over-douching can irritate the lining of the rectum and remove the good bacteria that we need for healthy, happy bums”, she warns.

Lovehoney Anal Douche 225ml

£15 at Lovehoney

While anal toys are a lot of fun, they’re not such a good time when you get them out of the drawer and they don’t function as well as the last experience. All because you didn’t give your products an MOT to ensure they’re in perfect nick for next time.

So, to avoid any mishaps or underwhelming anal play, after each use, spray your beads with some sex toy cleaner, followed by a rub with a damp cloth or tissue. Make sure you concentrate on any textured areas, as these are the parts that can gather the most gunk and bacteria. Finally, Knight advises “cleaning the beads under a warm tap and spraying on more cleaner and wipe again before drying”.