ANAL  TOYS

Glass and temperature

Glass feels noticeably different from softer materials. Its smooth, rigid surface stays firm rather than bending during use, so movements should be deliberate and controlled.

Because glass is non-porous, its surface is easy to clean. Wash the toy before and after each use, then dry it completely before putting it away.

Glass holds its temperature, so always check how warm or cool it feels before it touches the body.

Temperature is another way to vary the sensation: some glass massagers are suitable for gentle warming or cooling. Make any temperature change gradually and check the surface first, rather than applying a sudden change.

Models such as Icicles Number 25 and Number 79 are made from hand-blown glass. Their craftsmanship gives them a particular finish, but the material remains rigid and still needs to be handled with care.

Profiles, curves and bases

Many glass anal plugs have a narrow, tapered tip that gradually widens into a fuller body. The shape helps guide positioning, while the firmness of glass means those contours stay unchanged throughout use.

Curved models offer a different angle of contact. Icicles No. 44 and No. 47, for example, are designed for targeted prostate stimulation, with a rounded section oriented towards that area. Straight designs have a different profile.

A flared base remains outside the body, helping prevent a plug from slipping all the way inside.

Some designs narrow at the neck and finish with a wide external base or ring. Besides acting as a retaining stop, this part gives you somewhere secure to hold the toy while positioning or removing it.

Surface finish also changes how a model feels. Icicles N. 38 has sculpted, rippled detailing, whereas smoother, polished designs offer a more uniform glide.

Advantages of anal sex

One of the main benefits, in contrast to vaginal sex, is the stimulation of the P-spot, or prostate, in men and individuals with a penis.

The prostate is an extremely sensitive gland, and its stimulation can lead to more intense and pleasurable orgasms.

Anal sex provides a distinct pleasure due to the high concentration of nerve endings in the anus.

Another advantage is that anal sex does not carry the risk of pregnancy, which can be an important consideration for some couples.

Disadvantages of anal sex

Anal sex is a high-risk practice because the anus is prone to tearing during penetration, which increases the likelihood of contracting a sexually transmitted infection.

All necessary precautions should be taken when engaging in anal sex.

The rectal mucosa, being sensitive and absorbent, makes it easier for infections to develop. Penetration can cause small wounds and bleeding, increasing the risk of complications.

Graduated beads or weighted movement

Anal beads are made up of a series of connected, rounded sections designed for anal stimulation. As each bead is inserted or removed, its shape creates a new point of contact. This succession of contours, rather than one continuous, smooth surface, is what makes these toys distinctive.

In graduated chains, the beads increase in size along the length, so the contact changes progressively with each section. The number and shape also differ between designs: some chains feature five beads, while others have eight.

Graduated beads create successive changes in contact, while weighted designs introduce an additional sense of movement.

Other models contain weighted spheres that move inside the beads. In a fixed, graduated chain, by contrast, the changing contact comes from the beads' size, shape and order, rather than from anything moving inside them.

Grip, material and care

A ring or loop at the end gives you a secure point to hold when guiding the beads in or out. Some chains have a simple ring handle; others use a double loop, offering a different way to grip and control the toy.

These beads are available in silicone and TPR. Silicone versions are described as smooth to the touch, while TPR models are described as soft. However, the material alone does not tell you exactly how flexible an individual chain will be.

A handle that is easy to grasp helps you control removal; the size and shape of the beads determine how they make contact.

Use a suitable lubricant to make movement easier. After use, clean the toy and allow it to dry completely before putting it away. The care instructions recommend warm water with mild soap or a cleaner suitable for intimate toys.

Electrodes and stimulator connections

An anal electrostimulation plug is an insertable accessory fitted with electrodes. The plug establishes the areas of contact, but a separate stimulator supplies and regulates the electrical output. Without that device, the plug cannot generate stimulation on its own.

The arrangement of the electrodes determines how that contact is distributed. Bipolar plugs have two poles, whereas Tartarus features four individual conductive zones, offering a more complex electrode layout.

An electrostimulation plug needs a compatible external stimulator; the plug itself is not a power source.

Before connecting the equipment, make sure the plug and stimulator connections are compatible. Some models use two 2 mm pins. To activate all four zones of Tartarus, however, you need a compatible dual-channel stimulator and two leads.

Metal, silicone and care

Electrostimulation plugs come in different constructions, combining metal, silicone and insulating materials. Midi and Mini use marine-grade aluminium with an acrylic insulating band, whereas Noir Rocker and Tartarus are silicone models with their own electrode arrangements.

The conductive areas make contact as electrodes, while the insulating sections keep those zones separate. Mini also features removable nitrile rings at the base, which can be taken off when cleaning the toy.

Mini's nitrile rings can be removed for cleaning; care requirements vary with the plug's construction.

For Mini, remove the rings, then clean and dry the plug thoroughly before storing it. Other models have their own care instructions, which should always be followed. In particular, the Mr-S-Leather plug must not be submerged in water.

Why silicone glide lasts

Silicone-based lubricant creates a long-lasting layer of glide that does not rely on water. Because it helps reduce friction for longer, it is often chosen for anal intimacy, where comfortable movement depends on adequate lubrication.

Unlike water-based formulas, silicone is not water-soluble and does not dry out in the same way. Pjur Analyse Me and Eros Mega Power are examples of silicone-based lubricants, and this base explains much of their lasting glide.

Silicone resists water, so warm water and soap are useful for washing away any remaining lubricant.

Pjur Analyse Me and Pjur Back Door also list ingredients such as jojoba. These additions distinguish their formulas, although it is primarily the silicone base that maintains the lasting lubrication.

Check compatibility with silicone toys

Before using a silicone-based lubricant with a silicone toy, check that the two are compatible. Silicone lubricant can affect the toy's surface, so matching materials should never be taken as a sign that they can safely be used together.

Pjur Analyse Me and Pjur Back Door advise against use with silicone toys. Eros Mega Power also warns that some silicone toys may be incompatible. These product-specific precautions are important when choosing a lubricant.

For silicone toys, a water-based lubricant is generally the safer choice for the material.

Water-based formulas are usually the simplest option for silicone toys. With other materials, such as glass or stainless steel, the same silicone-on-silicone issue does not apply, but you should still follow the manufacturer's compatibility and care instructions.