Much like any other sex toys you might decide to use, there are some important points to consider when using anal beads safely. For the most part, anal beads are actually one of the safest sex toys out there. Even so, the anus is full of a lot of sensitive and delicate areas, so you want to be sure you don't cause any damage to it.
Can They Get Stuck?
One of the most common questions we see when it comes to putting anything inside your butt is whether or not it can get stuck. The anus and rectum will naturally swallow anything once it has moved past the sphincters and gradually pull it inwards towards your colon. While this is an ever-present danger in anal play, as long as you buy good quality anal beads, it shouldn’t ever happen.
The main thing that stops your anal beads from traveling up into your body is the base. This can take on multiple forms, such as a flared base that sits like a stopper on your anus, a T-bar design where the base sits between your butt cheeks, or a pull ring design that serves as a handle to get the beads back out. All three of these designs are fine, with none being particularly better, so pick up whichever kind you prefer. Just make sure your beads have one of these three.
Appropriate Materials
Sex toys and anal beads come in many different materials. Silicone, jelly, rubber, latex, flesh-like, TPR, TPE, metal, steel, stainless steel, glass, and many others are some of the terms you'll see when shopping around for anal beads. While some of these materials are completely body safe, others are a little more questionable, so you'll want to make sure you're picking up a good quality set of anal beads.
The best materials you can go for in your beads are silicone, steel, and glass. These three are non-porous materials, which means they won't harbor bacteria within the surface of the beads and are much easier to clean effectively. As long as you are properly cleaning them between uses, these kinds of beads should be totally safe to use.
Porous materials are a little bit riskier. The larger pores in the surface of these beads mean that some bacteria will be able to survive and live inside the surfaces, even after cleaning. On top of that, some types of materials are made up of outright toxic components; I'm looking at you, Jelly! Using these kinds of anal beads can introduce all kinds of nasty chemicals into your sensitive anus, so make sure you know exactly what your beads are made of, and if you have any worries, use a condom over them to protect yourself.
A final note about materials relates to lubricants. You should never use a silicone-based lube with a silicone set of anal beads. The two types of silicone products can react with each other, breaking down the surface of the beads and releasing debris and bacteria into your rectal passage.
Condition of Your Beads
Things wear out over time. It's a natural part of life and is just as true with anal beads. Over time the surface of your beads might not be as smooth as it once was, and areas may become raised, rough, or even sharp.
You should always be sure to give your anal beads a good check prior to use. It might seem like a bit of a hassle at the moment, but it's better than tearing or hurting your sensitive anal lining. Any rough or sharp-looking edges that you find can be filed down quite simply with an emery board or nail file.
Never Double Dip!
The only hugely important safety tip with anal beads is that you should never use them anally and then follow up by putting them straight into the vagina. While anal beads can feel very pleasurable when used vaginally, they need to be thoroughly cleaned in between. The anus and rectum contain all kinds of bacteria that, while natural to the butt, could cause all kinds of infections and nastiness if they are introduced to the vagina. If you want to speed things up, use a condom and switch to a fresh one before you move from the anus to the vagina.
I hope this article has put some of the concerns you might have about using anal beads to rest. If you have a question about something that wasn't covered here, don't hesitate to contact us, and we'll be happy to answer any questions you might have. Failing that, a visit to the doctor is always a good idea for any health or safety-related worries.