Shopping for a Butt Toy

Shopping for an anal sex toy can be daunting, especially if this is your first foray into the exciting world of anal pleasure. First of all, we would like to highlight the importance of education to ensure safety and the highest degree of pleasure possible. For both novices and pros alike, here are some of our recommended resources on anal play:

• Anal Sex Basics: The Beginner’s Guide to Anal Pleasure for Every Body (don’t be fooled by the title: it is for beginners and pros alike)
• The Anal Sex Position Guide
• Anal Pleasure and Health

START WITH THE RIGHT LUBE

Lube is a crucial part of anal play. The butt is not self-lubricating, and a good, thick lubricant is will make anal exploration smooth, slick, and sexy. Sliquid Sassy or Pjur BackDoor (for sex toys or just regular play) are popular anal lubes. For something more natural, try YES BUT (which is pH balanced for the anus) or Sliquid Organics Silk.

A note on numbing agents: Good For Her does not carry numbing agents for anal play. Numbing creams and gels mask the body’s pain response which can cause physical damage because we can’t feel the pain that is telling us to slow down or stop. We’d encourage you to avoid these products.

TYPES OF TOYS

Butt plugs are a good starting place for many folks easing into anal sex toys. They are designed to be left in place while the valley indentation holds them securely. Some people like to put a vibrator against the base, others like to leave it in to relax against while they have other body parts pleasured.

• Fuze Quattro is a Good For Her staff favourite butt plug for play that leads up to anal intercourse.
• The Pleasure Plug 2 is great for those who have already explored penetration with a couple of fingers. (Or Pleasure Plug 1 if you want to start smaller.)

Anal beads are intended to be inserted into the anal canal and then pulled out slowly for the divine sensation of the anus opening and closing.

• Flexi Felix is made of soft silicone with very lightly graduated beads.
• The Tantus Ripple is firmer than most other beads and can be inserted and pulled out with ease.
• Njoy Fun Wand has double the options, with the beaded end specifically lovely for anal bliss while the other side is fabulous for the G-Spot or P-Spot.

Dildos are designed for thrusting motions. It is important to go with a reasonable size (i.e. make sure your eyes are not wider than your anus) and most people prefer a smooth toy for thrusting.

• The Silk Small is a small, smooth dildo that can be also be used in a strap-on.
• The Spur is another great beginner toy, as it's very soft with a realistic shape and feel.
• A bit longer than the sex toys mentioned above, the Mistress has a lovely head and also comes in a vibrating version.

Vibrating sex toys can double the fun because they can be used on the outside of the anus first to relax the area and then add more pleasure once vibrating inside. Silicone vibrating butt toys are especially versatile and can be boiled in between uses (if the vibrator can be removed), making them great to share or to use vaginally as well.

• The Adore U Maya is great as a precursor to anal intercourse with a penis or a dildo.
• The B-Vibe Rimming Petite adds the element of rotating beads to further stimulate the opening of the anus (where more nerve endings are).

PROSTATE PLAY

The prostate is on the front (anterior) wall of the rectum of a person with a penis and can be felt relatively easily by inserting a well-lubed finger most or all of the way inside and pushing gently toward the bellybutton. The prostate feels like
a walnut inside of a little dip. Don’t worry if you go looking and aren’t sure if you’ve found it or not—your partner will know when you have found it!

There are an increasing number of sex toys on the market intended for prostate play. Here are some of our favourites:

• The Aneros is great for hands-free sensation! Once the toy is inside, squeeze the anus closed and the toy gently presses against the prostate. Many report hands-free orgasms with the Aneros.
• Njoy Pure Plug is a great choice because its weight naturally stimulates the prostate when you're lying on your stomach.
• The Lelo Loki is fantastic for prostate play—this toy gives perineum and P-spot stimulation.

MATERIALS

Silicone is an ideal material for anal sex toys as it is soft, super hygienic, sterilizable, and long-lasting. Silicone usually falls in the middle range of prices and is one of the most popular materials for sex toys.

Stainless steel is super smooth and has a good weight, but does not conform to our bodies’ natural twists and turns. Stainless steel toys are best used by people with some experience with butt play and understanding different sensations. Beginners should be prepared to be very slow and patient when using these toys. Stainless steel can also be sterilized and can be warmed or cooled gently. It also has the advantage of using its natural weight when placed on the prostate.

Glass is similar to stainless steel in some ways—it's very smooth, very slippery, great for temperature play, can be sterilized, and is usually recommended for those who have experimented some with anal play before using. Glass is a safe and elegant material that offers targeted pressure in places that can feel good.

A NOTE ON SAFER SEX

Please note: Even if you are sharing sexual fluids you still need to sterilize anal toys or use a condom when sharing anal toys in order to avoid passing bacteria between partners. We also highly recommend using a condom for anal intercourse.

We love using gloves for added safety, ease of cleaning up, and comfort. Good For Her carries latex and non-latex gloves. Plus, black gloves are sexy and they camouflage any mess that sometimes accompanies anal play.

Have more questions? Ask one of our trained, friendly staff for assistance at our store, use our Contact Us form to get in touch, or come to an Anal Pleasure workshop. 

We’ve also got some great videos to get you started once you’ve picked a toy. Here’s the first of two Cozy Conversations with Carlyle: Warming up to Anal Sex.