Anal beads are thought to date back to ancient Thailand a few hundred years ago. It was here that a series of small balls were connected together and inserted into the anus to deliver variable sensations and pleasure.
They are similar to ben wa balls, which are designed to be inserted into the vagina.
Anal beads are rumored to also be known as “7 knots of love,” which was a length of silk that was knotted seven times before being inserted into the anus. This was said to be used primarily on the male and slid out from the anus at the time of ejaculation to stimulate the anus as well as the prostate, and to deliver increased pleasure to the receiver. Since then, anal beads have taken on a similar are now balls or beads that are connected by a cord or on stems. Anal beads are increasingly popular for undulating anal stimulation between partners.
What Are Anal Beads?
There are plenty of people who look for ways to spice up their sex life. One of the best ways to do this is through the use of anal beads. Anal beads are a series of balls that are, in many cases, connected together by a cord or string.
Anal beads have a long history and reach back hundreds of years to they were first thought to originate. Because of their enjoyment factor, they were quickly adopted by Western users.
They do come in a wide variety of configurations, sizes and types. In some cases, these have been replaced by a sturdier material. If this is the case, then they will resemble an anal dildo which consists of balls, rather than being shaped.
All types of anal beads should have a loop in the will remain and stick out of the anus. Depending on user experience, you can find anal beads that have smaller beads on the insertion end and increase in size as you travel down the length. This can make it easier for the user to insert, right up to the point at which they are most comfortable.
Anal beads are also an ideal sex toy to be used on your own or to add some spice with a partner. They’re suitable for males and females alike.
Types of Anal Beads
The design of all anal beads is very similar, but there are some slight differences in design and construction.
Here is the basic rundown of all the types of anal beads that you might see when looking for your next fun toy.
Smooth beads – These are designed for beginners where the beads are small in size and will resemble undulating ribs rather than being totally round balls.
Big beads – These are much larger sized beads that will deliver extreme pleasure as they are pulled out of the anus.
Vibrating anal beads – These often come with fewer beads, but to replace the stimulation, one is fitted with small bullet vibrators to increase the pleasurable experience.
Flexible anal beads – These more traditional and are connected by a cord. In use, they are often pulled from the anus during the climax to increase the pleasure, all ‘round.
Fixed anal beads – This is the type that can be used for in and out motions like dildos, as well as leaving in place until orgasm.
Because there are so many varieties of anal beads around, there are lots that are fixed together and come in a variety of lengths and circumferences for beads.
The traditional, corded variety usually has beads that are all the same size. They are less reliant on because they are basically loose and will not penetrate by depth, and would be classed by how much they fill the anal passage and by where they sit.
Different Material Types
Anal beads come in a variety of materials. The differences can deliver very unique sensations and experiences. The material can also dictate the design of the anal beads. Let’s take a look now:
Silicone: This has gone on to be the most popular material for use in anal bead construction. This has changed the way they are designed on a cord to the creation of a thin molded strip that is flexible. Silicone is a non-porous material and hinders bacterial growth. It can also be sterilized in hot water too. Platinum silicone (as it’s so often called) can be used for hot or cold play as it can withstand these extreme temperatures. It also comes with no phthalates added.
Steel: In most cases, it will be medical grade stainless steel which is used. This is the most body-safe material you can find. It is hard and non-porous, which means you can quickly sterilize it after use. On some occasions, you can find some manufacturers include nickel too. In some people, nickel can create allergic reactions, so bear that in mind.
Glass: This comes in two varieties. There’s lime soda glass that’s used in construction in the USA, or you have borosilicate glass that is used in Europe. This is the preferred type of glass as it’s more durable and is often used in high-quality cookware. Glass is non-porous and body-safe. You can thoroughly sterilize it in boiling water.
Hard plastic: ABS plastic is the most common type, and although it can’t be sterilized, it is a body-safe material and non-porous as well. Often used in vibrating anal beads, this is made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). This material can be cleaned with warm soapy water. Plastic doesn’t have any taste and is odorless.
Latex Rubber: There are some anal beads that are made from this. However, they are not recommended. Latex can cause allergic reactions in people, and these toys do come with a strong odor. The material is phthalate-free and is safe for people who are not allergic to latex. However, it cannot be sterilized and it’s porous.
Benefits
The design of anal beads has changed slightly as there are some manufacturers who are designing anal beads in a rigid form. These are similar to anal bead dildos and intended for thrusting in and out of the anus. While similar, these are different in function to conventional anal beads that are connected by cords or by a thin molded strip.
When these are inserted into the anus, they can stimulate the prostate when worn by men. This (in itself) has plenty of health benefits, but it can lead to very different types of climaxes too.
Aside from this, the benefits of having anal beads inserted are not many, and it’s at the time of insertion and pulling them out where benefits are received most obviously.
At the point of orgasm, the beads are slipped out, one by one. This can prolong orgasms as the anus is stimulated to deliver increased sensations. These extra sensations heighten the orgasm of the wearer.
One other benefit is; these are inserted inside the woman, and then regular sexual intercourse takes place. Depending upon the size of the beads, there will be more internal stimulation as her partner's penis pushes against the inner vaginal walls simultaneously.
Sometimes anal beads are tapered; these can work in the same ways as butt plugs and stretch the anus ready for further anal play, or give users that fuller feeling that’s unique and offers further satisfaction and pleasure.
Some types of anal beads can be used as a warm up to These can be inserted into the anus and remain in place for up to 3 hours. This can provide lots of stimulation to the wearer as they wear them for this extended period. Always any check guidelines given by the manufacturer in terms of timeframe here.
Things to Consider When Buying Anal Beads
Safety is the most crucial thing you need to ensure when looking to purchase anal beads. Many anal toys have flared bases to make sure they are not sucked into the anus. Anal beads don’t come with a base and often only come with a loop on the end instead. This does need to be larger than the largest bead on the stem or the cord. This not only stops them from being sucked in, but it also facilitates the removal of the beads from the anus as well.
The next thing to consider when buying anal beads is the connector type. While it might appear to be nice, following the traditional corded type, this can lead to other problems. For one, if this becomes weak, then it could break with undue pressure. This would leave some beads stuck inside the anus. Next, these cords hold the beads in place by using knots. Depending upon the material for this cord, it can be rough and cause rubbing. Nylon cord is a good example of this.
Nylon is also very hard to keep clean. While you may choose steel anal beads because they can be sterilized, it is unfortunate that nylon can’t be boiled as it will most likely melt, becoming deformed. The other thing to note is: these knots won’t become smoother with the addition of lubrication, so, making sure you choose anal beads with small knots (which won’t catch the rim of the anus) is vital.
Depending on the material you choose, this will impact the kind of lubrication that is suitable. Silicone lubes are no good on silicone anal beads as they can degrade the material. This will make them weaker, and because these toys are used in anal play, the chances of bacteria entering are vastly increased, too.
Another consideration is the amount of time you wish to wear your anal beads for. The anus doesn’t produce any lubrication, so if you intend to wear them for extended periods, then additional lube will definitely be required. This is why stainless steel is most often the only material used for extended periods of wear. It needs less lube and slips in and out much than some other materials do.
One final thing to consider is: removing the anal beads from the anus at the crucial moment. With either too much force, or with a lack of lubrication, this can cause sudden anal pain. This is why it’s vital to find the right-sized anal beads and to make sure you have repeatedly made additions of much-needed lubrication.
Finally, because there’s intense stimulation when climaxing, it may be tempting to share their use with a partner. No anal beads should ever be shared between partners for safety reasons, no matter how hot the moment is. Remember, STDs and STIs (sexually transmitted diseases and sexually transmitted infections) are real. There’s also the chance of bacteria being spread too, and those infections can be very nasty. Buy a few sets for you and a few for your partner, and always store them separately when not in use.
How to Choose Anal Beads for You
Choosing anal beads will come down to a few different factors. Some of these will be the same as with any other sex toy, and others will be based on the uniqueness of anal sex toys in general.
Here are the factors which are general and will be the same when choosing any anal sex toy…
Brand – Choosing a not-so-well-known brand is never wise when purchasing sex toys. Anal sex toys emphasize this because of the part of the body these anal beads will be used in. Quality of construction is crucial because beads can be separated by a cord or thin strands of silicone.
Size – This will be down to the user’s experience in using anal sex toys, and like any other toy, it’s advised that you start off small. For this reason, some of the silicone anal beads that are more rigid can be an excellent introduction for beginners, as they often come with smaller beads on the insertion end.
Material – Numerous materials are available and can include any of the following:
- Silicone
- Rubber
- Plastic
- Steel
- Glass
If you have any allergic reactions to certain materials, you can choose a material that you know is body safe. Check out the seller’s description and contact them if you’re unsure.
Texture – There are textured models available, but anal beads deliver more than enough texture, unless you want extreme anal pleasure.
Type – After these common factors are out of the way, you then come to the type of anal beads you desire. You can opt for anal beads of all the same size; where you will need to find the optimum surface area so your anus can comfortably accommodate them. Choose ladder anal beads where they increase in size the further you go up the stem, or you could choose the strings of beads that will come with a different quantity of fitted beads that matches experience levels.
Some Safety Considerations
Anal beads are a unique sex toy, so there are very special considerations you need for using them safely.
The most important factor is that there is some way of removing them. Loose anal beads should come with a loop on the end of the cord. Rigid anal beads should have a handle or something in place that can prevent them from going too far in.
Secondly; for corded models or semi-rigid ones that are connected by thin strands of silicone: before inserting, you should check these cords to make sure there is no sign of wear or tear. When pulling from the anus, these will be under pressure, and one that is worn could snap and leave some anal beads stuck inside the anus. On top of this, the knots that are in the cord can be very uncomfortable.
Lubrication is a must for all types of anal beads, regardless of their size. This should be placed on the beads themselves, and around the anus to help with insertion. To be safe, it’s better to use water-based lubricant rather than silicone-based. Because these beads will be inserted for a period of time, you should find a lube that won’t dry out too quickly, and before removing, more lube should be placed in and around the anus to help with removal.
Condom use is also a recommendation, this helps to keep them clean, but it also helps any risk of getting infections. If you use rigid anal beads, condoms won’t affect any of the sensations you will feel.
Where Can You Use Your Anal Beads?
Anal beads can be used in a variety of scenarios, and either type can deliver some mind-blowing sensations. It was often said that anal beads were only to be pulled out during an orgasm, and although this does give the wearer some added stimulation, this is no longer the only way to use them.
Because of the number of designs, these anal beads can now be used in many ways. The ladder variety can be used for solo pleasure instead of using a regular anal dildo, and to take this further, there are anal beads that come with a suction cup too. Like any suction cup device, these can be fitted on any smooth surface where the user can pleasure themselves while gaining the undulating stimulation from each ball that pops in or out of the anus.
Anal beads can be worn for a few hours. These can deliver intense stimulation as the wearer goes about their business during the day or night. In fact, doing this can be an excellent warm up sex or great for solo stimulation where they are worn as a means of excellent foreplay.
Anal beads, if they are made from a suitable material, can be cooled or heated to introduce some deep-rooted temperature play. This will be beads made of silicone, steel or glass. However, care must be taken where the cord is concerned, and this is because this might not be suitable for heating or cooling. Check with the seller or manufacturer to be sure.
Maintenance and Cleaning Tips
Porous materials can absorb moisture, and with anal beads being inserted for an extended period, this can let moisture seep into the material that’s been used to create them. This is why it’s essential that the best materials are chosen.
Glass and stainless steel are nonporous so these won’t have this problem.
However, again; the cord used might (and will most likely) be porous. Depending on the manufacturer's recommendations, these will probably require careful cleaning with warm soapy water, and if the cord is suitable, they can be boiled for a couple of minutes to sterilize.
Once they are clean, you’ll need to make sure the cord is thoroughly dry before storing. This will include the part of the cord that sits inside the bead too, as this will dry slower than the unimpeded parts. When this is dry, your anal beads should be placed in a protective pouch to stop dust and lint from getting on the toy.
Silicone anal beads can be treated in the same way, but you need to know that the surface is not actually totally despite some advertisements that state otherwise. It does have water repelling properties and it definitely can hinder bacterial growth to some extent. Other incorporations are; silicone anal beads might feel tacky when dry, so to stop this, sprinkle them with cornstarch or dusting powder bought from the seller, to return the smooth surface. Place them away from other toys to prevent them from sticking.
The more rigid varieties of anal beads will still need to be washed in the same manner without boiling to sterilize, unless they’re made from materials that allow for this cleaning. Care must be taken around all the bumps and nodules down the shaft when washing.
When storing, keep all anal beads in a cool, dark and dry place, no matter what material they are made from.
Common Questions People Ask
1. If I use corded anal beads, how fast do I pull them out from my butt?
This is down to user preference, and anal beads can be pulled out as fast as you desire. However, by doing so, you might miss out on some serious stimulation. Pulling them out slowly, and one by one, may help you to gain repeated stimulation each time a bead pops out. Trial and error and loads of practice will be fun!
2. What do I do once I have anal beads inserted?
Again, this is down to user preference. Depending upon the length, or if they are rigid, you might be limited, but shorter varieties or the corded type can be left in for a few hours. Some users do this while they have sex or during another sexual scenario, like foreplay, for example. It’s even known for some wearers to go out of the house while wearing them, for some sneaky anal pleasure that only they know about! Pretty cool, huh?