Building On Your Experience: Why Intermediate Play Matters
If you’re getting into anal play with a partner, you should start with the beginner level. This is where you’ve established a fruitful and enjoyable foundation with a playmate.
You might have used objects or had penetrative sex.
This is discussed in the previous article in this series, “How to Master the Art of Anal Play: Beginner’s Tips.”(Let’s assume you’ve read that article and implemented the techniques mentioned.)
While not everyone will want to move from the beginning anal stage to the intermediate one, many individuals will.
This can enrich the sexual experience, provided you and your partner are on the same page with your wishes and keep communicating clearly.
If continuing down the path of anal play interests you, you’re in good company. Recent studies indicate that over a third of American women have tried anal sex with a male partner.
Understanding Your Body at the Intermediate Level: Evolving Anal Anatomy and Sensitivity
Understanding the anal anatomy is crucial if you’re getting into the intermediate stages of anal play.
The rectal mucosa lining is where the large intestine’s tissue lining changes from mucosa to skin. Here is where the innervation can be found. It primarily features autonomic nerves. This area is sensitive to distention and stretching.
The perineum is also important when engaging in anal play. It’s the sensitive skin area between the anus and genitals. It’s rich in nerve endings and can play a role in sexual response and arousal.
If you want to know the difference between beginner and intermediate anal play, it can often be characterized by moving from toys or nonpenetrative play to intercourse between two partners.
If you’re sticking with objects, it could mean moving to medium-sized from smaller ones.
Sensitivity in this part of the body can grow over time. In other words, it’s entirely possible for someone who was not enthusiastic about anal play to become more aroused by it through repeated sessions.
Anal Anatomy at the Intermediate Level: Exploring New Sensitivity Points
One’s perception of sensitivity can also change. While a certain touch or pressure point can be stimulating at first, it may grow to be outright pleasurable as time goes on.
There are additional erogenous areas you might explore with a partner as time passes. For instance, if you’re having intercourse, activating the pelvic floor might enhance your pleasure, while also giving you more precise control.
The anal sphincter, which regulates your anus’s opening and closing, can voluntarily and involuntarily control your anal opening. This both helps with control and can heighten the feeling of sensitivity.
Mental and Physical Preparation: Getting Ready for Advanced Exploration
For many individuals who engage in anal play, there can be a sense they’re doing something naughty or forbidden.
While that can be sexually exciting, there are also some psychological blocks that must be dealt with if someone is going to embrace anal play or full penetration.
Accepting new limits and challenges in the arena of anal play can be fun, but there may still be some activities that are still off limits.
This is each individual’s prerogative.
Physical preparation might involve doing some inward pelvic floor muscle contractions in the days or hours leading up to a play session.
There are books that show you how to do this, and there are pelvic floor physical therapists you might consult.
Communication with a partner is even more vital at this level as well. You will want to talk beforehand about exactly what both of you want to do before jumping into anything that could make either of you uncomfortable.
Relaxation and Comfort at the Intermediate Level
When it comes time for the event, deep relaxation to avoid pain or discomfort are paramount.
You might have some relaxing music playing. You may light some candles.
The proper mood will be different for every couple.
New positions or activities in the realm of anal play should also take into account both partners’ physical abilities.
What’s easy for an Olympic-level gymnast, for example, will hardly be possible for someone who is nowhere near that flexible.
Enhanced Communication with Your Partner
Communication should take place not only as you’re planning your sexual adventure with your partner, but while it is taking place.
This way, both of you can feel certain you’re enjoying yourselves and nothing unexpected, painful, or uncomfortable is taking place.
You should be sure that you have set up clear boundaries. You may also want to consider having a safe word. This should be regarded as a fallback measure that calls an immediate halt to the action.
Lubrication for Intermediate Anal Play: Moving Beyond the Basics
Lubricant is your friend when you start getting into intermediate anal play. Gun Oil is an excellent silicone-based lube, while Ah! Yes OB is an oil-based one that gets lots of rave reviews.
Silicone-based lubes have a sterling reputation for anal intercourse because they have a slick feel and reliably long-lasting properties.
Much like any other product, it can be helpful to read reviews of some top-selling lubes to see which one sounds like it might be ideal for your purposes.
Best Lubes for Intermediate Play: Silicone vs. Water-Based
While silicone-based lubes are suitable for bath or shower play in addition to being slick and long lasting, they are also condom-compatible.
As for water-based ones, they are gentle on sensitive skin and are easier to clean.
It may be necessary to try both to see if one or the other is preferable for you and your partner.
Intermediate Anal Positions: Exploring New Angles for Deeper Pleasure
At the intermediate level, you might want to explore positions such as the piledriver.
This lets the individual who’s penetrating their partner have advanced control, though the partner on the bottom needs both flexibility and lower back strength.
There is also the rear entry position, which is like spooning, but with one partner on their belly and full penetration taking place.
These allow for stimulation of the erogenous zones, along with enhanced control for both partners.
As you move into more complex positions, you should both notice how the intensity of the experience will be heightened, and the duration should increase as well.
Top Intermediate Anal Positions
Side entry and reverse anal cowgirl are also suitable options at the intermediate level.
You may need to experiment a bit with depth and angle based on personal preferences.
Enhancing Your Anal Play with Intermediate Toys
Intermediate play can also be marked by use of toys that are considered more for intermediate use, like larger dildos, adjustable vibrators, and medium-sized butt plugs.
You will likely want to select them based on price, user reviews, and recommendations from anyone you know, assuming you are open about discussing your sex life with friends.
Best Toys for Intermediate Anal Play
If you’re looking for well-regarded toys, the VeDO vibrating butt plug is a favorite.
Vibrating butt plugs can provide a level of intensity at the intermediate levels of anal play that you might not be ready for as a novice.
The torpedo-shaped b-Vibe Snug Plug is also well regarded.
You might be more into prostate massagers. If so, the We-Vibe Vector+ has an impressive following.
Mastering the Art of Positioning and Control in Intermediate Anal Play
Control and mastering positioning can take some doing when you’re first getting into intermediate anal play. Don’t assume that you’ll be great at something the first time. Like anything else, it is often to your benefit to practice.
Deeper pleasure and comfort will likely come when you have attempted several sessions with a partner.
At first, you might focus on rhythm just as much as technique. As time passes, the most pleasurable experiences should become more rote.
Improving Control: Getting Comfortable with New Positions
Confidence with this new skill set can take time. Both of you should continue being very clear about what you’re liking the most and what you’re not enjoying so much.
When to Stop: Respecting Your Limits
This leads to knowing when to stop. Any time there is pain or discomfort, consider saying your safe word.
You should also both be sure to go slowly, especially when trying something new.
Listening to Your Body
Communicating to your partner if something isn’t pleasurable is something that you should practice doing. Some people have a hard time saying no, but it’s vital if you’re going to get into intermediate anal play.
Conclusion
The right amount of preparation, communication before, during, and after a session, and making sure you are both relaxed are the main keys to a successful intermediate anal play experience.
Lubrication, proper hygiene, and the use of toys you both like should help as well.
Body-positive play and confidence don’t always come easily, but as you become more comfortable with your partner, they are attainable.
Continuing to educate yourself, understanding what your body likes, and respecting your limits are also necessary.
