A friend (read: playmate) recently confessed that any woman who entered his backdoor with a finger or toy could basically win his heart (and cock) for life. For those who’ve never experienced the thrill of a prostate massager, (I’m told) it offers unrivaled pleasure leading to uncontrollably intense orgasms.

The anus contains one of the highest concentrations of nerve endings per square inch in the body. That, combined with the ass being the portal to the highly sensitive prostate – often dubbed “the male g-spot”– makes anal stimulation some of the most intense sexual experiences a man can have.

For men unaccustomed to inserting toys (or anything else) in that region, stretching out the area with a butt plug, first, might be beneficial.
With that in mind, Vibrator.com offers our list of the top five anal toys for men – and why they rock.

As always, practice safe sex. Make sure any toy you use is clean and sterilized, do not share toys (pass them back and forth) without cleaning them first, and use plenty of lube to prevent tiny rips and tears in the anus, which could lead to infection. Stop if you experience any pain beyond slight discomfort.

Prostate Massagers/Vibrators for Men

Aneros MGX – This company manufactures a wide range of critically-acclaimed male sex toys, designed with feedback from medical professionals. The company’s best-selling MGX model is 3.6 inches of smooth, comfortable plastic, plus ridges toward the lower end of the toy. The hands-free, self-pivoting mechanism is exclusive to the Aneros line and it leaves both hands free to pleasure other areas to provoke amazingly intense dual orgasms, or to stimulate yourself and your partner. Really, with both hands free and the Aneros doing its job on the back-end, the possibilities are endless.

Dr. Joel Kaplan Prostate Massager – For men who envy their lady’s multispeed vibrators, the Prostate Massager from Dr. Joel Kaplan packs multispeed, one-handed operation into a vibe specifically shaped to stimulate the prostate. This multispeed vibrator can be used in or out of the water. The slim design makes it ideal for beginners to anal play, making it Vibrator.com’s number-one-selling prostate vibe.

The Rude-Boy – It’s rugged, masculine, and also hygienic. The Rude-Boy vibrating dual action stimulator offers hands-free operation for intense stimulation of the prostate and perineum. You won’t believe the orgasms you can have when both your hands are free and the Rude-Boy is humming merrily along. Soft, flexible medical-grade silicone also makes this toy one of the safest men’s massagers available.

Butt Plugs

NJoy Pure Plugs – For a night of anal play that is purely NJoy-able, the uniquely-shaped, weighted Pure Plugs fill your every desire. Designed with a unique curve, large head and small stem for added comfort, plus a handle for powerful control and ease of removal when playtime’s over, the Pure Plug stands out amongst hundreds of models of butt plugs. Available in three sizes (small, medium and large), this butt plug is perfect for beginners and pros alike.

Pop Plugs – Doc Johnson’s very reasonably priced Pop Plugs come in three sizes and feature a handy pull ring for easy removal. At this price, you can purchase all three sizes, so your butt plug will grow as you do. Manufactured from phthalate-free medical grade silicone, Pop Plugs are soft, silky and hygienic.

Njoy Pure Plug as reviewed by Agent Ansley

Check out the latest video review of the Njoy Pure Plug - Medium.

So you want to try anal sex.  You’ve heard about it, read about it, and maybe even had secret fantasies about it.  As an anal virgin you are curious, maybe a bit fearful, and wondering what it’s all about.  We are taught as children that the anus is a dirty, secret place and many of us carry those taboos with us into adulthood.  But, the anus is a very sensitive area, and, when given the proper attention, can bring one to a whole new level of ecstasy.  For men, the anus is the gateway to the prostate, a very sensitive area that many men may achieve orgasm from when stimulated.   Anal expert, Tristan Taormino notes that the “anus, anal canal, and rectum are wonderfully erogenous zones, rich in nerve endings and super-sensitive to stimulation and penetration. At the right angle, many women find that you can indirectly stimulate the G-spot through anal penetration.”  Many sex experts recommend that you arouse yourself in the regular ways, until you are good and hot before attempting anal play and to continue stimulation throughout.

The most important thing to consider with trying anal sex with a partner for the first time is that the person being penetrated is the one in charge.  Communication is essential with any type of sex play and even more so for anal play.  It is important to go slow, get fully aroused, use plenty of lubricant (and then some), and to listen to your partner’s needs and body language.  Because the anus has a very thin lining it is important to be careful not to tear it and to use condoms for safe sex purposes. Always stop if you experience pain or discomfort.

Solo Anal Play

The best way to try anal sex for the first time is through masturbation.  That way you are really in control and can decide how big, how far and how fast on your own.  Self exploration is important as it allows you to discover what feels best and how your body responds.  You also don’t have the pressure of performing or trying to satisfy your partner’s needs.

Warming Up: The Rosebud of Pleasure

Developed by massage therapist and sex educator Joseph Kramer, this is a good way to begin exploring anal pleasure.  First, begin with massaging your buttocks to get the blood flowing.  Try squeezing your cheeks with your fingers, raking your fingernails over your ass, and even slapping it.  Slowly begin to clench and unclench the asshole.  Next, lube your finger very well and rub the pad of you finger around the anal rim, exploring the sensitive rosebud.  Lube up the crack and slide your hand up and down.  Finally, when you feel ready, you can insert a finger inside the sphincter, gently stretching it and massage the silky skin inside.  It is also recommended to stimulate other areas of your body as you would naturally, to get yourself good and aroused.

Sex Toys for Anal Play

There are a large variety of sex toys available for anal play.  These include butt plugs, anal beads, anal vibrators, prostate stimulators, and anal dildos.  They all have different purposes and will give your body different types of pleasure.  Butt plugs have a narrow head and flared base.  They are generally used for anal training, starting from small and slim, to allow you to get used to having something in your anus.  These are inserted and then stay in place for as long as you want to keep them there.  Tantus makes a whole line of excellent butt plugs called Flirts in various sizes all made of medical grade silicone.  Anal vibrators and dildos are more for stroking penetration, similar to regular penile sex play with a partner.  They can often be used on a harness for lesbian penetrative sex and bend-over-boyfriends.  The Rude-Boy prostate stimulator is a great toy for men who want to try a bit of buzz, while the Vivid Red Hots Briana Vibe is a good choice for women.

Prostate stimulators like the Aneros are used to put pressure against the male prostate and are used in a rocking motion rather than in and out.  The male prostate is an area of immense pleasure and will often lead to intense orgasms when stimulated.  Anal beads, like the Bendybeads by Fun Factory, are one of the most non-threatening ways to begin anal adventures for anal virgins and can be used simultaneously with vaginal penetration or clitoral stimulation.  They are inserted one by one and then gently pulled out.

Any anal toy should have a wide base or a retrieval ring so the toy is easily removed.  When first exploring anal play it is important to start small and work your way up to larger sizes.  The most important “toy” for anal play is lubricant!  This cannot be stressed enough.  If you want to have a healthy, happy experience with anal play use lots of lube.  Good ones to try are Moist Anal Lube and Adam and Eve Anal Lube.

Anal Insertion

Like the vagina the anus can also receive enormous pleasure from the insertion of fingers or toys.  Start small, using a fingertip after you have stimulated the rosebud for a while, making sure to use lots of lubrication.  If your fingertip feels good you may want to insert the entire length of the finger, or even try two.  After a while, your anus will get more used to the feeling of fullness and you can try larger toys like slim butt plugs, anal beads, and anal dildos.

At first, anal play will feel strange and you will most likely want to push what is entering back out.  This is after all a natural reaction.  If you relax into it, however, anal insertion can be a wonderful experience that can intensify sexual play and orgasm.

Many people worry about mess during or after anal play.  Be sure to empty your bowels before anal play.  You can also choose to flush yourself out with an anal douche about an hour before play.  I found it much easier to enjoy anal play in the bath tub with toys designed for underwater fun.  It allows you to focus more on the pleasure and sensation, instead of worrying about messy accidents.  Also, a warm bath will help you relax, which is essential for anal play.

Anal Sex with Partners

Now that you’ve experienced a bit of solo play, it’s time to try out your new found passion with your partner.  Both men and women enjoy the experience of anal sex with a partner, no matter if you are GLBT or straight.  Most important is who is in control.  The partner being penetrated should always be in control of the pace and degree of penetration.  Anal sex is not supposed to hurt and if it does you are perhaps not ready or doing it wrong.  To avoid hurting your partner, make sure that you both communicate with each other.  “Mmmm, that feels good,” “More…”, “Back up a bit,” whatever works for you.  Express yourself.  Make sure you are ready for the experience and not being pressured into it just for your partner.  Try to relax, because a tight sphincter muscle can cause pain.  And use plenty of lube.  Oral anal play, called rimming, is a good way to arouse that area and make your partner relax for penetrative anal sex.  Learning the ins and outs of anal play will make you an expert.  For more expert information on anal play I recommend the DVD: Nina Hartley’s Advanced Guide to Anal Sex - For Men and Women; and the following books: The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Men and The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women.

Bend Over Boyfriend

Some straight men have some misconceptions about anal sex (getting penetrated) that make them hesitant to try it out with their partner.  The prostrate is a very erogenous zone and the ultimate pleasure zone for men.  Anal sex will not make you gay.  That is a myth and many straight men enjoy anal play once they get over the social taboos.

Make sure your hands are clean or use gloves.  Also, trim your nails first as you don’t want to damage the delicate lining of the anus.  Next, you can saddle-up Cowgirl and move up to a dildo and a harness to give your guy the ride of his life!

Anal Do’s and Don’ts

Anal Do’s

•    Clean yourself and your toys.
•    Use a condom or latex gloves.
•    Trim nails of rough edges.
•    Relax, breath & take it slow.
•    Use lots of lube. I mean lots.
•    Stop if there is pain.
•    Only use toys with a flared base designed for anal play.

Anal Don’ts

•    Insert toys in the anus then the vagina as it may cause infection.
•    Insert sharp or foreign objects or anything too big.
•    Do it if you really don’t want it.
•    Hurry or force it.
•    Pressure your partner into it if they are not ready.

Domina Doll is a sex writer who writes articles and reviews for various magazines, zines and adult toy stores.  Visit her sexuality blog CherryBoxxx at http://cherryboxxx.wordpress.com/.

There are people who love anal play—and those who haven’t tried it.

Maybe that’s an exaggeration. Some men are too squeamish to even entertain the idea. But for many men, once they’ve released those inhibitions and experienced prostate stimulation for the first time, they find it a fun and intimate addition to their love life.

There are two important rules to remember for safe anal play between monogamous partners.

1). While ass-to-mouth is a personal choice, never, ever (that’s never!) go ass-to-vagina. Not with the cock, not with a finger, and not with a toy that hasn’t been thoroughly cleaned first. It can cause urinary tract infections and other icky and painful ailments.

2). Too much lube is almost enough lube!

Anal play is probably not a topic most men want to discuss outside the bedroom. The best tactic is to make a move in the throes of ecstasy and see how he responds.

These same rules and techniques apply to women and anal stimulation. Although women don’t have a prostate, the anal area contains one of the largest concentrations of nerve endings, making it one of the more sensitive parts of the male or female body.

If you have long nails, place cotton balls in the finger tips of a latex (or in the case of a latex allergy, synthetic rubber) glove. The glove will create a smooth sensation and the cotton will prevent injury due to sharp finger nails. If your nails are already short, make sure they are filed with no rough edges.

Even inserting just a finger, you’ll want to use some lube. You can use your own juices if you’re extremely wet, but a lubricant like Doc Johnson’s Anal Lube will help ensure a good, smooth experience.

Try moving your finger in and out a few times while he gets accustomed to the sensation. You’ll find the prostate a few inches above the anus, on the belly side. Finding it is similar to finding a woman’s g-spot. In fact, it’s sometimes called the “male g-spot.”

Combining prostate stimulation with a blow job or hand job can create unprecedented pleasure. But men can have an amazing orgasm from prostate stimulation alone. Massage the prostate in the same way you would the g-spot, with a rubbing, “come here” motion.

If your guy likes the feeling of your finger up there, you may want to introduce a toy. Anal probes range in size from “starter models,” measuring a slender 1-inch across, to thicker, 2 or 3-inch models with varying-sized bulbs or ribs for increased pleasure.

For beginners, look for a slender butt plug with a thick base; it will be easier to control. Thicker plugs can create a great feeling of being “filled up,” but you’ll want to work your way up to larger models.

This slender jelly toy features a smooth shaft on one side and pleasure bulbs measuring up to an inch on the other, making it a toy that will “grow with you” as you become more adventurous and want the sensation of graduated bulbs.

Anal probes and plugs are usually manufactured from PVC jelly, rubber, silicone or glass. Don’t forget the lube!

You can also try a vibrating probe, such as this waterproof anal vibe from Doc Johnson.

Remember to go slow. It will build up anticipation and minimize pain or the chance of dangerous rips to delicate skin.

Once you and your lover start exploring anal play, you’ll find hundreds of toys, in every price range, available to help.