Anal beads are a sex toy

Sex toy

A sex toy is an object or device that is primarily used to facilitate human sexual pleasure. The most popular sex toys are designed to resemble human genitals and may be vibrating or non-vibrating...

 consisting of multiple spheres or balls attached together in series which are continuously inserted through the anus

Anus

The anus is an opening at the opposite end of an animal's digestive tract from the mouth. Its function is to control the expulsion of feces, unwanted semi-solid matter produced during digestion, which, depending on the type of animal, may be one or more of: matter which the animal cannot digest,...

 into the rectum

Rectum

The rectum is the final straight portion of the large intestine in some mammals, and the gut in others, terminating in the anus. The human rectum is about 12 cm long...

 and then removed with varying speeds depending on the effect desired (most typically at orgasm

Orgasm

Orgasm is the peak of the plateau phase of the sexual response cycle, characterized by an intense sensation of pleasure...

 to enhance climax). Those who use anal beads enjoy the pleasurable feeling they receive as the ball passes through the narrow sphincter

Sphincter ani externus muscle

The Sphincter ani externus is a flat plane of muscular fibers, elliptical in shape and intimately adherent to the integument surrounding the margin of the anus.-Anatomy:...

 of the anus.

Design

Anal beads are available in a wide variety of sizes, with individual beads measuring from just 25mm diameter right up to 125mm diameter and beyond. Most users enjoy beads with a diameter around 45mm or so, but most will become more adventurous with experience, and try larger sizes for increased pleasure. Anal beads are commonly made of silicone

Silicone

Silicones are inert, synthetic compounds with a variety of forms and uses. Typically heat-resistant and rubber-like, they are used in sealants, adhesives, lubricants, medical applications , cookware, and insulation....

, plastic

Plastic

A plastic material is any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids used in the manufacture of industrial products. Plastics are typically polymers of high molecular mass, and may contain other substances to improve performance and/or reduce production costs...

, rubber

Rubber

Natural rubber, also called India rubber or caoutchouc, is an elastomer that was originally derived from latex, a milky colloid produced by some plants. The plants would be ‘tapped’, that is, an incision made into the bark of the tree and the sticky, milk colored latex sap collected and refined...

, latex

Latex

Latex is the stable dispersion of polymer microparticles in an aqueous medium. Latexes may be natural or synthetic.Latex as found in nature is a milky fluid found in 10% of all flowering plants . It is a complex emulsion consisting of proteins, alkaloids, starches, sugars, oils, tannins, resins,...

, glass

Glass

Glass is an amorphous solid material. Glasses are typically brittle and optically transparent.The most familiar type of glass, used for centuries in windows and drinking vessels, is soda-lime glass, composed of about 75% silica plus Na2O, CaO, and several minor additives...

 or metal

Metal

A metal , is an element, compound, or alloy that is a good conductor of both electricity and heat. Metals are usually malleable and shiny, that is they reflect most of incident light...

 and end with a ring or similar handle designed for pulling. The purpose in mind of this ring is to prevent the sex toy from becoming fully lodged in the rectum, as well as to facilitate its removal. The beads may either be joined flexibly, in which case they must be inserted individually, or by a semi rigid thin shaft, in which case they may be pushed into the anus one go, each are forms of the sexual art of "beading off". This design has advantages for masturbation.

The many nerve endings of the sphincter allow for sensations of arousal both during insertion and removal, and larger beads may create feelings of pressure while inside the rectum.

Some anal beads are enhanced with vibration technology for advanced levels of pleasure.

Usage

Anal beads are used by both sexes and all sexual orientations, and while they can be considered "kinky", they are not considered a fetish

Sexual fetishism

Sexual fetishism, or erotic fetishism, is the sexual arousal a person receives from a physical object, or from a specific situation. The object or situation of interest is called the fetish, the person a fetishist who has a fetish for that object/situation. Sexual fetishism may be regarded, e.g...

. They are, however, incorporated in many fetishes that involve anal sex

Anal sex

Anal sex is the sex act in which the penis is inserted into the anus of a sexual partner. The term can also include other sexual acts involving the anus, including pegging, anilingus , fingering, and object insertion.Common misconception describes anal sex as practiced almost exclusively by gay men...

, ass worship, spanking

Erotic spanking

Erotic spanking is the act of spanking another person for the sexual arousal or gratification of either or both parties...

, enema

Enema

An enema is the procedure of introducing liquids into the rectum and colon via the anus. The increasing volume of the liquid causes rapid expansion of the lower intestinal tract, often resulting in very uncomfortable bloating, cramping, powerful peristalsis, a feeling of extreme urgency and...

s or anything involving the buttocks, anus, or the anal area.

The beads may also be used alone, as both men and women can find them very stimulating.

As with all anal sexual activity, the anal beads and the rectum should be well-lubricated with a sexual lubricant intended for such purposes. It is important to do this as the rectum can be easily ripped, torn or injured. Anal sex toys should be well washed with warm soapy water and left to dry naturally after use. Alternatively they may be placed inside a condom

Condom

A condom is a barrier device most commonly used during sexual intercourse to reduce the probability of pregnancy and spreading sexually transmitted diseases . It is put on a man's erect penis and physically blocks ejaculated semen from entering the body of a sexual partner...

, which is recommended if they are shared with a partner.

Care must also be taken to count the beads after using them to ensure that all are removed from the anus. There have been instances of the string being broken by intense rectal movements. If a bead gets stuck within the rectum and can not be pushed out naturally, surgical intervention may be necessary.

Safety

It is important to note that if the beads are threaded onto string, a porous material, they cannot be fully disinfected. So, they should not be shared between partners without using a physical barrier such as a latex or neoprene condom to prevent the presence of feces. Sharing anal toys that have not been sterilized could expose the users to various sexually transmitted diseases.

Tristan Taormino

Tristan Taormino

Tristan Taormino is a feminist author, columnist, sex educator, activist, editor, speaker, and pornographic film director . She graduated Phi Beta Kappa with her Bachelor's degree in American Studies from Wesleyan University in 1993...

, in her book The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women

The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women

The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women is a book authored by Tristan Taormino. The first edition of the book came out in 1997, and the second edition was released in 2006....

, recommends a toy based on the anal bead concept that is made of one continuous piece of silicone. Insertion and removal from the anus is smoother (no knots or catching), while the toy still produces the bead-like sensation. Silicone is non-porous, and can be sterilized simply by boiling in water for three minutes.