Fingers are a good place to start because you can begin with a pinky and work your way up to five fingers, or even an entire hand or fist. You can also use sex toys. Dilator If met with some resistance — which is totally normal — gently remove it, apply lube again, and try again. This oil-based lube is made with coconut oil and organic silicone, so it will last a ridiculously long time without reapplication. Because it's oil-based, it's not suitable for use with latex or polyisoprene condoms, but you can use it with your silicone-based toys, which is a major win. Also important: There's also a water-based spin-off formula if you dig the idea but want something usable with latex condoms. Luna Matatas is a sex and pleasure educator based in Toronto, Canada, who coined Peg the Patriarchy and hosts b-Vibe's The Plug podcast. This advice still stands if your partner ejaculates inside you. Though some people worry this could cause runny poops that resemble diarrhea, Dr. Frankhouse says this actually isn’t the case. For one thing, since poop usually isn’t in your rectum until you’re close to expelling it, there’s no real opportunity for poop and semen to mix. Even if poop could go farther up into your colon, semen is usually runny. Since your anus will likely remain expanded for a few minutes after anal sex, that semen can just leak right on out, Dr. Frankhouse says. If you want to go to the bathroom to expel that, feel free, but it’s not necessary!

Unlike vaginas, [which provide natural lubrication], anuses do not self-lubricate,” board-certified ob-gyn Jacques Moritz, MD, previously told SELF. Anal penetration without adequate lubrication can cause the tissue in your anus to tear, SELF previously reported, which is both painful and dangerous. These tears in the anus area can make you more susceptible to sexually transmitted infections (or STIs), like gonorrhea and HIV, according to Dr. Moritz. What kinds of lube are safe for anal sex? Use gentle touch and foreplay: Engage in sensual activities like kissing, caressing, and light massaging to relax your body. This can help make the experience more enjoyable.

Nitroglycerin ointment. Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator, a medicine that makes your blood vessels expand. Applied as a cream, it can restore blood flow and can help your anal sphincter relax. However, it can cause headaches, and some people have to discontinue it for this reason. You’ve gotta love the butt plug and its efficient shape. They generally have narrow tips that gradually widen toward the middle then taper down again.

We’re not saying you need to risk bankruptcy or anything, but choosing a quality dilator is important. Thrusting is pushing and pulling your toy in and out over and over, while plugging involves literally plugging your anus with a butt plug and leaving it inside. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Not all materials are safe for your special place so you’ll definitely want to be mindful of what your device is made of. Respect your boundaries: If at any point you experience pain or discomfort that doesn’t improve with time or additional lubrication, it’s essential to stop and communicate with your partner. Consent should be ongoing and enthusiastic.THE REVIEW:"So I bought this after doing plenty of research and was curious if this would be a good lube for anal intercourse…and [it] EXCEEDED the expectation of just being another basic silicone lube," writes one customer. "We tried it on both of us, and the texture is unlike any other brand...[and] we have tried many brands to date. It seemed to make everything go in and out easy with very little lube degradation or anal pain." To say you have a lot of options would be an understatement. There are dildos and other anal toys out there with bells and whistles your bum can’t even imagine.