Anal beads are latex or plastic beads on a string made of nylon (or sometimes cotton) with a ring on the end. The beads can be the size of marbles all the way up to the size of golf balls. The most popular beads are usually one-half to one inch in diameter. Regardless of their size, make sure the balls are clean, smooth (file the edges if they're not), and well-lubricated and that the string is at least seven inches long. You can also put a condom over the beads and knot the open end of the condom. Cotton strings are much harder to keep clean than nylon; likewise, beads made of soft rubber or jelly rubber are very porous and difficult to disinfect. So most people will want to make sure they get nylon strings and latex beads, or definitely use a condom every time.

Many people like to insert the beads in the rectum while having their genitals stimulated. You should insert one bead at a time, giving the rectum a chance to adjust to the sensation; plus, it can be quite intense to feel the anus contract around each bead. If you've been practicing your Kegel and pelvic exercises, you'll be more aware of these contractions and even be able to control them voluntarily. Some people like to feed the balls inside and then pull them out just as they are climaxing; others like to climax with the beads in and then remove them. Remember to withdraw the beads slowly and gently—pulling the entire string of beads out in one motion too quickly could be uncomfortable.

One final reminder on the subject of beads and balls: you should never put any round objects—marbles, super balls, ping-pong balls, golf balls, ben-wa balls, or any other kind of balls—in your rectum. Besides irritating your rectal tissue, they can also become irretrievable without a speedy trip to the emergency room. Use only beads that are on a string and designed for anal play.

Tips

If you are considering putting something in your anus or someone else's, make sure you use common sense. For best results, make sure the tools and toys you use for anal sex are Smooth: Never put any sharp object or anything with rough or jagged edges in the rectum. Never put anything glass or breakable in the anus. Even objects made for anal penetration must be smooth; you can file rough edges on dildos or plugs with a regular nail file, and for added smoothness, use a condom. Flexible: Make sure that your tool is flexible enough to maneuver those curves in the rectum. Very hard, rigid things (like candles or metal or wooden objects) are not a good idea to insert in your rectum. Clean: Make sure that all tools are cleaned with sex toy cleaner or antibacterial soap and hot water; alternatively, you can put a new condom on each tool before using it. Soak toys for about fifteen minutes to disinfect them with Betadine, hydrogen peroxide (full strength), diluted bleach (one part bleach, ten parts water), or a sex toy cleaner.

Retrievable: Never put anything in a rectum that may get "lost" or will be difficult to retrieve. Make sure plugs have flared bases and that dildos and vibrators are long enough so that the person using them has a good grip.

Realistic: It's not a good idea to put something of an unrealistic width, length, shape, or size in someone else's or your own anus. Be sensible.