Your Top 10 Questions About Anal Play – Answered!
Over the last few decades, anal sex has been on the rise – especially among heterosexual couples. According to the CDC, about 35% of women and about 38% of men stated they’ve had anal sex with an opposite-sex partner.
But that leaves 65% of women and 62% of men who haven’t!
People’s reasons for choosing to (or not choosing to!) explore the world of anal sex are their own, but if you’re curious about it, I think you should be able to get the information you need to figure out if it’s for you.
So let’s break down some of the top questions about anal play out there to satisfy your curiosities. Because who doesn’t like more knowledge about sex?
What does anal play include?
“Anal play” is a general term that encompasses everything anal-related. If it has to do with the entrance to the butt, the term “anal play” would cover it. That’s why it’s so important to clarify what your partner means if they say they’re looking for “anal play.” They could mean rimming – or they could mean stretching out with a soda-can-sized dildo!
- As a general term, anal play includes:
- Touching the anus with fingers and no penetration
- Touching the anus with fingers, including penetration
- Licking the anus with the tongue
- Wearing a butt plug
- Sliding a dildo into the butt
- Holding a sex toy against the entrance without penetration
- Slipping a prostate massager into the butt while doing other foreplay activities
- Pegging
- A focus on actively milking the prostate
- Anal intercourse with a biological penis
- Anal intercourse with a penis extender
- Anal training sessions with gradually larger toys
- As you can see, the list of what “anal play” can encompass is huge, and it’s only limited by safety and your own imagination. Make sure to have an open conversation with your partner if you’re adding “anal play” onto tonight’s exploration list.
What is anal sex?
Anal sex, otherwise known as anal intercourse, is the act of penetrating the anus of a partner. This is often done with a penetrating partner’s biological penis, but it could also be done with a strap-on harness and dildo or penis extender.
While the term “anal sex” specifically refers to anal intercourse, some people may use it interchangeably with any type of anal play. Some people may also use it to refer to any type of anal penetration including fingers or toys.
What does it feel like to put something up your butt?
Just like people would describe a 5-star, award-winning chili differently, anal sex feels a bit different to everyone too.
In general, people say receiving anal penetration can feel like an intense amount of pressure with a deep feeling of fullness that’s impossible to replicate on any other spot on the body. For the penetrating partner, people say anal sex feels like an extra tight orifice that leads into a different “texture” inside. A lot of people really focus on the snug entrance of anus; this can feel very different for people who are accustomed to vaginal sex.
One Reddit user explains it like: “If you aren’t prepared it’s uncomfortable and can feel like a stinging feeling. When you begin to relax it’ll be more of like you want to poop. But when you are relaxed and prepared, it feels like an uncontrollable pleasure. I can’t shut up during it it’s that good. And then you’ll basically feel it later in a good way. Kind of like your prostate is reminding you of that great feeling throughout the day.”
Some people also describe it like one of the most satisfying poops you’ve ever taken in your life – only the sensation goes on and on. Like I said, everyone has their own way to describe the same experience!
If you’re simply playing outside the hole, with no penetration, you can expect a slippery finger around the entrance feel like petting an ultra-sensitive spot that can leave your hairs standing on end in the best of ways. Even for people who don’t enjoy anal penetration, touching the entrance can still feel amazing!
