How to Use Anal Beads For Kinky, Intense Orgasms!

Anal beads seem like a staple in most sex toy stores, but why is that? For some people, it’s all about the pleasure that they get from those little roped balls. Others get a thrill because backdoor play is taboo and sends a shiver down their spine. For some people, anal beads even venture into kink or fetish territory. But are anal beads safe? And if so, how do you get the most out of them?

Let’s get some of these questions out of the way immediately.  Anal beads can be pleasurable because, for some people, the anus is an erogenous zone. Learn more about erogenous zones. The prostate AKA male G spot is located in the anus–and anal beads can stimulate it [1]. But even if you don’t have a prostate, you might be able to have an anal orgasm using anal beads!

Related: 137 Women Explain What An Anal Orgasm Feels Like & How To Have One

Finally, having sex with anal beads in can feel great for your partner because the anal beads can be felt through the thin wall between the anus and vagina

Using anal beads, just like having anal sex, can be done safely. But you definitely need to follow some common and not-so-common sense guidelines, which we’ll tackle in this guide to inserting anal beads.

Using anal beads doesn’t have to hurt. In fact, anal play shouldn’t hurt if you’re doing it right! Here’s a great guide about dealing with pain from anal play.

What Are Anal Beads?

In case you’re not already aware, anal beads are a type of sex toy meant for anal stimulation. The basic design consists of a chain or small balls [2]. The number of beads and the length of the connections beneath them varies.

Most designs start with smaller beads near the end, and beads grow in size toward the handle. Anal beads tend to be flexible, which allows you to bend them into any shape you desire. However, some similar toys are more rigid, straight, or have a bend or curve. The connectors between the beads vary in thickness but are long and pliable enough to allow the string of beads to bend, which is key to how anal beads work. Some anal beads are all the same size, while others alternate in size.

Picking Out Anal Beads

Before you can use anal beads, you need to pick some out. We’ve got some advice for that.

Avoid cheap anal beads – First, avoid the cheap styles that are simply beads connected by a nylon string. Not only is this type of anal beads more prone to breaking, but you can never fully clean them. Gross!

Make sure they can’t get lost – Secondly, always opt for anal beads that have a handle or loop on the end. You should always choose anal toys based on safety to ensure that they can never get lost inside you or your partner (it also makes it easier to remove the beads).  This includes making sure all your anal toys (including anal beads) have a flared base [3].  Otherwise, they may get sucked up inside your ass and possibly require surgical removal [4]. They can also possibly lead to bowel obstructions [5]. Some people say that you can use beads without a loop as long as you never insert the last two beads, but we wouldn’t run that risk.

Silicone is good for keeping it safe and sanitary – We usually recommend a set of silicone anal beads, which you can sterilize easily

The material makes a difference – If you don’t like anal beads at first, considering trying some made from another material before giving up. Rigid materials like glass or metal can provide the intense stimulation you crave and are excellent for temperature play (more on that later). However, their stiffness and lack of give can become uncomfortable. Hard plastic can similarly be uncomfortable when the beads bunch up. Some people swear by softer silicone, but the material can produce “drag” because of its texture, requiring more lube. It’s all about what feels good or right to you.

Different Types of Anal Beads

Note that there are a few variations in anal beads. Some have vibrating bullets in the handle or base, but you should never insert a bullet without a handle into your rectum as it can become lost.

Many beads are smooth, but you can find ribbed and bumpy beads if you prefer those textures.

You’ll also find toys with bulbs that are inspired by anal beads but aren’t flexible. Glass is a common material, and you’ll find them labeled as anal wands or glass massagers. The longer style with a bend allows you to safely keep your grasp when playing with them. Some butt plugs are more like anal beads because they’re longer and rippled/ribbed—more on using butt plugs.

Once you’ve picked out your anal beads, lube is a necessity! The rectum doesn’t self-lubricate like the vagina, and playing too roughly can easily cause micro-tears that are too small to see by the eye. These abrasions can make it easier for bacterial or other infections to set in.

Always Use Lube

While it should pretty much be mandatory to use lube, the type of lube you use is definitely a personal choice!

• You can safely use oil-based lube anally as long as you’re not using anal beads made from latex (and never if you plan to use a condom because oil degrades latex).
• Water-based lubes are compatible with everything, and thicker formulas provide cushioning.
• Your third option is a silicone lube, which will be slick and long-lasting. Low-quality silicone lubricants can degrade silicone toys, however. You can apply a bit near the base of your toy and rub vigorously to look for any reaction. If the toy becomes tacky, don’t use it with that lube.

Some lube is made specifically for anal sex, making the search for the right product easier.

Related: Why You Should Use Lube

You can choose to lube up your anus or the beads or both. Keep in mind that you probably don’t want your fingers to be soaked in lube because that can make it harder to insert the anal beads.

Although optional, you can use a condom over anal beads for easy cleanup. Just make sure the condom doesn’t enter your rectum where it can be lost.

Prepare for Insertion

You might wonder if you need to prepare for using anal beads. You can use the same preparation tips as you would for anal sex (read about preparing for anal). Wiping with a wet wipe makes people feel clean and reassured. A shower does the trick, too.

Douche – To get more reassurance, you can use a douche filled with lukewarm water over the toilet. You really don’t need to go any further than that, but if you’re into anal play, you might consider an enema.

Psst, did you know that some people have a kink for enemas? Read our list of kinks and fetishes to find out more.

There’s always a small chance of dealing with fecal matter when you engage in butt play, but it shouldn’t be a big deal.

Avoid inserting anal beads or other anal activities if you’re having GI distress. Hold off on playing if you have hemorrhoids. Anal sex can irritate them [6], and inserting other toys may do the same.

Positions for Using Anal Beads

When you’re ready, get into position. For many people, being on all fours is an ideal position. They can reach behind themselves and insert beads. But your arm length, flexibility, and body shape will determine what works best. You can also try these positions to insert beads:

• Squatting
• On your back with your legs in the air
• On your side with your knees bent toward your chest

Many of the best positions for anal sex also work well when you’re inserting anal beads!

How to Insert Anal Beads

When you get down to it, anal beads are all about insertion. You can push them past the sphincter muscle, which keeps the rectum closed [7], one at a time with the tip angled toward your stomach (keeping your nails trimmed might be helpful for insertion).

Your sphincter muscle can be very tight and strong, so it’s important to go slowly at this stage to prevent any pain.

If you’re feeling nervous about using anal beads, take a few deep breaths. Try to relax your throat, which has a similar effect on the anus. If you’re struggling to push a bead inside, you can gently “push out” with your sphincter muscle that you can voluntarily contract [8] to get it inside. This “pushing out” will cause your sphincter muscle to relax.

You or your partner might need time to get used to the feeling of each bead before you insert another. That’s okay. Take all the time that you need.

Anal beads are usually flexible, so they’ll bend and potentially ball up as you add each subsequent bead. Beads rub against themselves and your anus when they’re inserted. You may need to twist and turn the beads to find the most comfortable position.

Once inserted, try any of the following to see what you like:

1. Keep The Anal Beads In Place

Some people enjoy inserting anal beads and then keeping them there. They keep the anal beads inserted during sex or masturbating (get tips for masturbating), or even while going about their day. This is similar to how some people wear Kegel balls vaginally (more on Kegel balls and vaginal exercises). Although “wearing” anal beads isn’t for everyone, we definitely recommend giving them a try before deciding whether it’s for you or not.

2. Pull Them Out

For some people, the pleasure involved with anal beads comes from pulling them out, slowly and one at a time. This creates a popping-type sensation, which varies depending on the size of each bead.  Try pulling the anal beads out right before orgasm to make it more intense.

You might be tempted to pull them out all at once, but it’s smarter to do it slowly. Pulling them out too fast typically doesn’t feel good and can lead to rectal damage. It can also release fecal matter in a splattering and smelly mess…Yikes!

3. Back And Forth

Experiment with pushing anal beads in and pulling them out. Try pulling two out and popping one back in.

4. Use Your Muscles

You might like to see how much you have to pull on the anal beads when you’re clenching your butt muscles to keep them in. This can increase the intensity and create sensations that differ from when you just insert and remove the anal beads.

So, your partner can start pulling them out, while you try as hard as possible to clench your butt and keep them in. Or you can try this alone.

5. Play With Temperature

Run your anal beads under warm or cold water, which will change their temperature. See which you like best — or shock a partner by inserting cold beads! Just make sure they are not too hot or too cold as these temperatures can damage the skin.

Psst, if you like this advice about how to use anal beads, discover how to use every type of sex toy.

6. Add Vibration

Press your wand vibrator against the handle/base of your anal beads to add vibrations that will run along the beads.

7. Insert Only As Far As Is Comfortable

While some people enjoy seeing just how big a toy (or penis) they can take in their orifices, not everyone’s a “size queen.” When it comes to anal beads, which can bunch up, this is especially true! Remember that you don’t need to insert every anal bead. If they become uncomfortable, you can stop inserting them or pull out a ball/bead or two.

But if you consistently don’t use the full length of anal beads, and it gets in the way, consider using a smaller/shorter set of beads or a beaded dildo (as long as it has a flared base) or butt plug instead.

8. You Can Use Them Vaginally… But Not Without Cleaning Them First

Anal beads might be intended to used, well, anally, but that doesn’t mean you can’t experiment! This is true for many sex toys that are designed for one purpose but can be adapted to another–as long as you keep safety in mind.

You can give butt beads a try vaginally. You can use most of the techniques we’ve already discussed. However, there’s one important caveat: you never want to insert toys vaginally after they’ve directly been in your anus. This can introduce bacteria that lead to an unpleasant infection known as bacterial vaginosis, which is caused by changes in the amount of certain types of bacteria in your vagina. [9].

Research shows that having anal sex before receptive vaginal sex can contribute to these bacterial vaginosis infections [10]. However, one study found that any rectal sex is a risk factor for BV [11], so it may be possible to change vaginal bacteria even without ass-to-vagina play.

Read More: Bacterial Vaginosis – Causes, Symptoms & How To Treat It

So make sure to give your anal beads a thorough washing before trying them vaginally. We don’t recommend wipes because water is necessary to remove fecal matter. There are ways to get your anal balls even cleaner as long as they’re made from nonporous materials such as silicone, glass, or metal. We discussed them in our section about cleaning up anal beads below.

9. Experiment on Your Own First

If you plan on using anal beads with your partner for the first time, you might want to try them on your own first. This way, you can get a feel for what you like and confidently tell your partner how to use sex beads in a way that feels pleasurable to you or to use as a foundation for trying new things. This can reduce anxiety and awkwardness for you both.

Get tips for anal masturbation.

Of course, you need to communicate those needs and preferences with your partner because..

10. Communication Is Everything

Whether you’re having penetrative sex, receiving oral, or using anal beads, communication is essential. It can enhance arousal and decrease pain. In fact, we don’t recommend using any numbing products! Pain is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong, so you may not be able to tell when the pain is indicating that you need to cease penetration [12]. Instead, minimize pain through arousal, comfort, and communication.

Talking about sex can be tricky, but we’ve got you covered! Learn more about sexual communication.

Because communication is so essential, you shouldn’t play when you’re unable to communicate clearly, whether it’s inebriation or a ball gag that’s stopping you.

Of course, if you can’t vocalize, you can use an alternative system such as tapping out or dropping a ball. Kinksters often rely on such methods to make sure their BDSM scenes are safe.

Related: 8 Vital BDSM Rules To Keep It Safe, Sane & Crazy-Kinky

11. Remove Them at the Peak of Pleasure

Some people find that anal beads give the greatest pleasure when slowly removed one by one right before orgasm or when arousal is high [13].

Of course, there are no hard-and-fast rules about how to use anal beads, so figure out what feels good for you and your partner.

Whatever you do, don’t insert anal beads that are bigger than you can handle. There might be a little resistance and pressure when you insert a bead, but it shouldn’t be painful. Listen to your body’s response and trust it.

If you want to handle larger anal beads and toys, check out our guide to anal training.

Cleanup

Once you’ve had fun with your anal beads, it’s essential to wash them thoroughly. Yes, there may be some fecal matter on the beads. This is to be expected. You can keep a toy wipe on hand to ensure things are clean.

Hot water and soap are usually enough to ensure that your anal beads are clean enough. But if you want to go the extra step, you can try the following.

• Boil nonporous toys such as stainless steel or silicone for 5-10 minutes [14].
• Spray stainless steel or silicone with a 10% bleach solution. Let sit for 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly [14].
• Run stainless steel, glass, or silicone toys (without electrical components) through a cycle in the dishwasher–top rack, no soap or dishes [14].
• Clean with a generous amount of 70% isopropyl alcohol. Avoid using alcohol on porous toys [15]. This includes jelly and rubber anal beads.

Take care of any seams, where gunk can collect.

You can also cover the toy with a condom to make cleanup easier.

Anal beads can be a fun experience, and you can absolutely use them safely. But if you don’t follow advice for hygiene and safety when using anal beads, you might find yourself with some regrets. Now you know how to use anal beads safely, however, so you don’t have to worry. If you find that you’re really a fan of anal beads during sex, you might also check out our guide to anal fingering or this post about rimming.