Oct 22, 2025

Navigating Anal Play: From Beginner to Advanced

Exploring anal play can be a thrilling way to discover new sensations and enhance your intimate experiences. This guide provides a step-by-step progression from beginner to advanced, focusing on comfort, enjoyment, and gradual exploration. We'll cover preparation tips, including cleaning methods, key factors for choosing the right toy, and suggest high-quality silicone toys from Tantus to support your journey. Remember, the key is to go at your own pace, take your time, and prioritize what feels good for you.

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before engaging in anal play to ensure it is safe for you, especially if you have health concerns or conditions.

Preparation: Setting the Stage for Comfort

Before diving into anal play, taking time to prepare can help you feel more relaxed and confident. Create a calm environment with soft lighting and your favorite music. Use plenty of water-based lubricant, as it pairs well with silicone toys and enhances smoothness.

Many people choose to rinse internally to feel fresh. A simple enema process can be done using a bulb syringe or enema kit filled with lukewarm water. Begin by filling the bulb with about 1-2 cups of plain, body-temperature water—avoid anything too hot or cold to prevent discomfort. Sit comfortably over a toilet or in the shower, gently insert the nozzle, and slowly squeeze the water in. Hold it for a few moments if comfortable, then release. Repeat the process 2-3 times or until the water runs clear, typically taking 10-15 minutes. Do this 1-2 hours before play to allow time to settle. Always rinse your tools thoroughly with soap and water afterward and store them dry in a lint-free container.

Aneros Prelude Enema

Du Douche

b-Vibe Classic Enema

Choosing the Right Anal Toy

When selecting an anal toy, several factors ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Here’s what to consider when exploring Tantus products:

Silicone Density: Tantus toys are made from premium platinum silicone, but density varies. Softer silicone, like in some plugs, offers flexibility for comfort, while firmer options provide more intense sensations. Beginners may prefer softer toys for ease, while advanced users might enjoy firmer ones for precision.
Finish: The surface of a toy affects sensation. Tantus offers glossy or velvety finishes for a slick glide and matte finishes for a slightly grippier feel. Choose glossy or velvety finishes for smoother insertion, especially when starting out.
Length: Shorter toys (3-5 inches) are ideal for beginners to avoid overwhelming depth. Intermediate and advanced users may explore longer toys (6-8 inches) for deeper stimulation, depending on comfort.
Girth: Start with slim toys (0.8-1 inch in diameter) for beginners, moving to medium (1.5-2 inches) for intermediates, and larger (2+ inches) for advanced users. Gradual increases allow each person to scale in what their body can tolerate and accommodate.
Base: Choose toys with a flared base or retrieval loop to prevent unwanted travel. Ensure the material is body-safe, non-porous platinum silicone, like Tantus products, to avoid irritation and ensure easy cleaning.

Step 1: Starting as a Beginner

Building the Basics

If you're new to anal play, focus on small, gentle introductions to get acquainted with the sensations. This stage is about discovering what you enjoy, in a relaxed and unrushed mindset by listening to your body.

Tips for Beginners

Choose a Small Toy: Look for something slim, tapered, and soft for easy insertion.
Apply Lubricant Generously: Coat both the toy and the area liberally with water-based or hybrid lube.
Relax and Breathe: Take deep breaths to help your body unwind.
Experiment Solo: Try on your own to understand what works for you: how your body responds and how you are feeling before involving a partner. This is likely to help you communicate your feelings and needs clearly with an intimate partner.

Tantus Product Suggestions

Tantus Perfect Plug: A compact, tapered silicone plug with a 0.8-inch diameter and soft density for gentle entry. Its velvety finish and flared base ensure safety and ease.

Perfect Plug

Tantus Silk Small Dildo: A smooth, flexible 4.25-inch dildo (insertable length) with a 0.8-inch girth, soft density, and matte finish, ideal for introductory exploration with a safe, flared base. Mimics a finger in curve and size.

Silk Small

Tantus Acute Dildo: A smooth, slightly curved 5-inch dildo (insertable length) with a 1.25-inch diameter, medium density, and glossy finish for extra sensations, featuring a teardrop flared base for safety.

Acute Emerald

Tantus Charmer Dildo: A 5.5-inch textured dildo (insertable length) with a 1.4-inch girth, medium density, and matte finish with gentle ridges for added stimulation, featuring a secure base for safe play.

Charmer Sapphire

Tantus Bend Over Beginner Harness Kit: Includes the Silk Small (4.25 inches insertable, 0.8-inch girth, soft density, matte finish) and Silk Medium (5 inches insertable, 1.1-inch girth, soft density, matte finish) dildos, both with flared bases, plus a harness for versatile progression.

Bend Over Beginner Kit

Step 2: Progressing to Intermediate

Expanding Your Comfort Zone

Once you're at ease with beginner toys, step up to slightly larger options to explore deeper sensations. This level introduces more variety in shape and texture while maintaining manageability.

Tips for Intermediate Users

Gradual Sizing: Increase girth incrementally to avoid overwhelm.
Incorporate Movement: Gently twist or thrust to enhance the experience.
Warm Up: Start with a smaller toy before moving to intermediate sizes.
Maintain Hygiene: Clean toys before and after each use with mild soap.

Tantus Product Suggestions

Tantus Severin Medium Plug: A two-tiered anal plug designed for gradual insertion, featuring a narrow tip that widens into two staging bumps before a long neck and flared base. It has an insertable length of approximately 4-4.25 inches, a maximum girth of 6.25 inches (2-inch diameter at the widest point), and a glossy finish with options for medium or soft density for a smooth, slick glide.

Severin Medium

Tantus Bend Over Intermediate Harness Kit: Includes the Silk Medium (5 inches insertable, 1.1-inch girth, soft density, matte finish) and Silk Large (6 inches insertable, 1.35-inch girth, soft density, matte finish) dildos, both with flared bases, plus a harness for continued progression.

Bend Over Intermediate Kit

Tantus Echo Vibrating Dildo: A 6.5-inch dildo (insertable length) with a 1.7-inch girth, firm density, glossy finish, pronounced head, and curve for targeted stimulation, complete with a secure base.

Echo Vibrator Pearl

Tantus Inner Band Trainer: A 5.5-inch plug (insertable length) with a 1.5-inch girth, medium density, and glossy finish, designed with a tapered shape and flared base for comfortable intermediate training.

Inner Band Trainer

Step 3: Advancing to Expert Levels

Embracing Intensity

For those comfortable with intermediate toys, advanced options offer larger sizes and more complex features. This stage is about pushing boundaries while keeping things enjoyable.

Tips for Advanced Users

Prep Thoroughly: Always warm up with smaller toys to prepare.
Explore Features: Try toys with curves or firmer density for varied sensations.
Communicate Openly: If playing with a partner, discuss preferences and signals.
Listen to Feedback: Adjust based on how your body responds.

Tantus Product Suggestions

Tantus Ryder Plug: A 4.5-inch plug (insertable length) with a 2-inch diameter, firm density, and glossy finish for a weighted, anchored experience, featuring a flared base for safety.

Ryder Plug Lilac

Tantus Cone Large: A 6.75-inch plug (insertable length) with a 2.25-inch diameter, medium density, and glossy finish, offering a conical shape for gradual stretching and a wide base for security.

Cone Large Crimson

Tantus General Dildo: A 7-inch dildo (insertable length) with a 1.8-inch girth, firm density, and matte finish, designed with a realistic shape and flared base for advanced play.

General Dildo

Tantus Fido: A 6.5-inch dildo (insertable length) with a 2-inch girth, medium density, and matte finish, featuring a unique canine-inspired design and flared base for intense sensations.

Fido

General Tips for a Positive Experience

Lubrication Matters: Reapply water-based lube as needed to keep things smooth.
Body Awareness: Stop if anything feels off and resume when ready—everyone's journey is unique. This is a “take it at your pace, in your own time” play mode.
Toy Care: Store silicone toys in a cool, dry place, separate from other materials to prevent reactions. Clean with toy cleaner or mild soap and hot water, lightly scrubbing the toy’s surface and rinsing per the manufacturer’s instructions.
Variety and Fun: Mix in different positions or combine with other forms of stimulation for added excitement.

Sliquid Sassy Anal Lube

Pjur Back Door Anal Lube

Apothecary Toy Cleaner

Recommended Tantus Progression Kit

To ease your way through the stages, consider these Tantus selections:

		Tantus Perfect Plug: Slim, soft plug for beginners (0.8-inch diameter, velvety finish).
		Tantus Silk Small Dildo: Flexible, finger-like dildo for beginners (4.25 inches, 0.8-inch girth, matte finish).
		Tantus Acute Dildo: Slightly curved dildo for beginners (5 inches, 1.25-inch diameter, glossy finish).
		Tantus Charmer Dildo: Textured dildo for beginners/intermediates (5.5 inches, 1.4-inch girth, matte finish).
		Tantus Bend Over Beginner Harness Kit: Includes Silk Small and Silk Medium dildos for beginner progression.
		Tantus Severin Medium Plug: Two-tiered plug for intermediates (4-4.25 inches, 2-inch diameter, glossy finish).
		Tantus Echo Vibrating Dildo: Curved, vibrating dildo for intermediates (6.5 inches, 1.7-inch girth, glossy finish).
		Tantus Inner Band Trainer: Tapered plug for intermediates (5.5 inches, 1.5-inch girth, glossy finish).
		Tantus Bend Over Intermediate Harness Kit: Includes Silk Medium and Silk Large dildos for intermediate progression.
		Tantus Ryder Plug: Weighted plug for advanced users (4.5 inches, 2-inch diameter, glossy finish).
		Tantus Cone Large: Conical plug for advanced users (6.75 inches, 2.25-inch diameter, glossy finish).
		Tantus General Dildo: Realistic dildo for advanced users (7 inches, 1.8-inch girth, matte finish).
		Tantus Fido: Unique dildo for advanced users (6.5 inches, 2-inch girth, matte finish).

Final Thoughts

Navigating anal play from beginner to advanced is all about exploration, patience, and enjoyment. By preparing thoughtfully, choosing toys with the right silicone density, finish, length, girth, and safety features, and using quality Tantus silicone products, you can create rewarding experiences tailored to you. Embrace the process, stay curious, and have fun along the way.

Note: Select toys from trusted sources like Tantus, ensuring they're made from body-safe, non-porous platinum silicone for durability and ease of cleaning.

© Tantus, Inc. 2025. All Rights Reserved.

Author Cheri Curry has been a key part of Tantus since she joined the company in 2018. As Director of Sales and Marketing, Curry is committed to educating and providing consumers with luxury products at an affordable price point, no matter what level of intimacy they’re ready for. She created and is dedicated to the brand’s mission statement to “Meet You Where You Play”.

Curry’s time at Tantus came several years after entering the sexual health industry. Her vast experience spans marketing, sales, and tactical strategy planning for global growth. Upon being recruited to be Tantus’ director of sales, Curry made it a priority to not only welcome but also act on consumer input.

Navigating Anal Play: From Beginner to Advanced

Preparation: Setting the Stage for Comfort

Choosing the Right Anal Toy