Anal sextoy

What is an anal sextoy?

Anal sextoys are, as their name suggests, designed to stimulate the anal and peri-anal area. And you might be surprised to find that they can bring a great, great, great deal of pleasure. Gentleness, patience, lube, and suitable sextoys are the foundations of a successful anal experience. We'll leave you to be the judge!

What are anal sextoys for?

To feel good! Whether used alone or alongside another type of stimulation, anal sextoys are there to bring you pleasure! They can also be used before penetration to help dilate the sphincters (i.e. the muscles that surround the rectal canal).

Can you really experience pleasure from the anal area?

The entire anal area is extremely sensitive and can generate a great deal of pleasure when stimulated gently and patiently. It can be broken down into: the peri-anal area, the anus, the rectal canal, and the rectum. Each of these zones is genuinely responsive to stimulation. Indeed, the entire anal area is richly innervated and packed with sensory receptors. Moreover, certain erogenous zones are more easily stimulated this way.

What are the erogenous zones on the anal side?

• the prostate: this small gland, responsible for producing seminal fluid, is often referred to as "the male g-spot". To stimulate it, penetrating sex toys that are fairly short and slightly curved are best.
• the deep spot: this sensitive zone is located deep inside the vagina. Anatomically speaking, the recto-vaginal wall is very thin, and anal penetration makes it very easy to stimulate the deep spot. Penetrating sextoys with an insertable length of at least 12 cm are preferable for this.

What are the different types of anal sextoys?

• the plug: the most common type, the plug is perfect for getting started with anal play and suits both beginners and more experienced users alike. It is characterised by its oblong shape (allowing for gradual penetration), a very narrow neck, and a flared base. The idea is to insert the plug and then leave it in place while enjoying other activities. It can also be used to help with dilation ahead of penetration.
• anal beads: also known as "Thai beads", anal beads consist of a series of balls connected together. Simply insert each ball progressively, then gently remove them as orgasm begins to build. The aim? To amplify the sensations!
• the dildo: the anal dildo is a phallic-shaped toy with a flat base, often with a suction cup. It stimulates the anal area through dilation and friction, from the anal entrance to the first third of the rectum. With a dildo, go for back-and-forth thrusting!
• the prostate stimulator: recognisable by its distinctive shape — short (5 to 10 cm insertable length), with a pronounced curve — it allows pressure to be applied to the prostate and new sensations to be explored. It often features an additional arm that rests on the perineum to stimulate it.
• strapons: made up of two parts, strapons are not necessarily anal toys, but can absolutely be used as such. The shorter part is inserted into the vagina of the person wearing it, and the longer arm is used to penetrate another person. Better than a strap-on harness, strapons provide a genuine sensation of movement transfer.

How do you use an anal toy?

• Solo: insert the anal sextoy of your choice, then let yourself go for a masturbation session. You can use just the anal sextoy, but don't hesitate to also stimulate your penis or clitoris with your hand or a second sextoy — the sensations will be explosive!
• With a partner: once the sex toy is inserted, let your partner take care of your other erogenous zones for some fiery moments. You can also wear the anal sex toy during penetration, which maximises sensations! Some anal sextoys are even remote-controlled — let your partner take the reins from a distance!

Is lube essential for anal play?

To ensure maximum comfort during anal play, using a lube is strongly recommended. The anus does not self-lubricate, so penetration needs to be eased with a suitable product that also protects the mucous membranes throughout stimulation. Depending on the material of your anal sextoy, you will want to choose a water-based, silicone-based, or oil-based lube.

Is using an anal sextoy a common practice?

Yes, it is a widely practised and uninhibited activity. The figures from the 2024 Customer Knowledge Survey (based on 11,569 customers) are clear: 30.4% of customers at Passage du Désir have already purchased an anal sextoy (plug, anal beads...).

That is almost as many as couple sextoys (34.8%), proof that anal play has firmly entered the mainstream as an essential source of pleasure.

Are there any health benefits to using an anal sextoy?

Yes, particularly for the perineum and the prostate. Some accessories, such as the Peridise, have a dual function: pleasure and health. Using this type of stimulator helps strengthen the perineal area through regular contractions, which is beneficial for both women and men (prostate health, control).

For men, prostate massage is also recommended to help prevent certain conditions.

How do you choose an anal sextoy safely?

Safety is the number one criterion: material and shape. For safe play, it is essential to choose a toy with a flared base (to prevent it from getting lost) and made from a "Body Safe" material (non-porous medical-grade silicone).

With an NPS of 58, Passage du Désir guarantees a selection of tested and safe products, unlike marketplaces where material quality is often uncertain.