Anal Play Myths

Pssst...want this information in a watchable, video-format instead!? Check out our YouTube video down below!

Myth #1. "Anal is a "gay" sexual activity"

Not only is this myth homophobic, but its just not true! Every BODY has a butt right?! Which means that everyone and anyone can explore the backdoor, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation

Myth #2. "You need to douche"

Perfect Fit Ergoflo Impulse Douche

While it may be a popular choice for many (even sometimes seen on TV and in movies), you don’t have to douche if you don’t want to, and it’s actually not recommended to do it every time or super often, as this can wash away the body’s healthy bacteria too.

Wanting or not wanting to douche usually has to do with a fear of a mess (aka poop) but the rectum, which is anywhere from 6-9 inches, really only acts as a passageway for your poop, meaning that there *usually* isn’t too much just hanging around in there.

The sigmoid colon is where the poop is actually stored and is closed off most of the time by the rectosigmoid junction (sometimes referred to as the “second hole” by experienced anal play enthusiasts) which opens naturally when it’s time for you to go! The only way to reach this area is with a VERY large toy, penis, or fist. Douching therefore tends to be more popular for folks who are exploring extreme anal play and/or stimulating this area.

Myth #3. "It's only pleasurable for people with a prostate"

Just because it’s common for people with a prostate to experience pleasurable sensations from anal play, doesn’t mean that they are the only ones! Folks can receive pleasure from various parts of anal play such as rimming (aka oral sex being performed on the anus), the sensitive nerve endings surrounding the opening, etc. In bodies with a vulva, the G-spot can also be accessed through the shared wall between the vagina and the rectum.

Myth #4. "It's supposed to be painful"

Intimate Earth Mojo Natural Anal Relaxing Gel 1oz

Although it is possible to hurt yourself or a partner if forcing the body to do something that doesn’t feel good or cause pain, anal play generally isn’t supposed to be painful. And if you are experiencing pain, it is your body’s way of telling you that you’re either not doing something right or you’re missing something, like lube! That being said, it’s best to AVOID products that numb your butt otherwise you won’t be able to get the v important message from your body when something IS wrong.

Pro Tip: If you still wanted a little something to help relax you and your booty, instead go for a product that relaxes the anal muscles (like the one pictured above), often with natural ingredients like clove oil.

Myth #5. "It weakens your anal muscles"

Although the anus doesn’t have the same elasticity as the vagina, the anal sphincter however was built to be four times (!!!) stronger than what’s needed for its intended purpose (holding poop), so it’s okay to explore a bit of a stretch. The slight reduction in tightness that some feel from anal sex can actually help to make it easier and more comfortable for when you do it next time.

Most of the horror stories of people who experience incontinence or loss of function often are because those folks engaged in extreme anal play (like we mentioned earlier) which if done unsafely, can cause such bodily damage. Butt, if you follow the golden rules of anal play; always use lube, go slow, communicate every step of the way, and always stop to reassess when you feel pain - you likely aren’t going to experience any anal damage.