ANAL AUGUST: 8 WAYS TO EXPLORE BUTT LOVE

Did you know it's Anal August? Leave it to the sex-positive community to dedicate a whole month to butt love right in the middle of the most anti-climactic summer ever. Whether you're a pro at all things having to do with the booty, or you shy away from the very thought of it, why not at least explore some anal pleasure a bit this month just for the sake of being festive? 

The cool thing about anal sex is that it challenges you to try new things like different toys, lubes and approaches because confidence and comfortability are key in having a great experience. It can be enjoyed by both sexes and when done right, can be extremely hot. 

Here's some ways you can add a little anal pleasure to your sex life: 

Know the 3 Golden Rules 
Communication. Relaxation. Lubrication. These three things will help make your experience a lot better when it comes to exploring anal pleasure. If you'd like to partake in some anal action, communicate; be sure that you talk to your partner, tell them what you want to do and create a plan that works for both of you. Relax; make sure you are in an environment and with someone who makes you feel comfortable. Try to do this when you're not feeling tension or stress. Create a relaxing atmosphere and just breathe.  Lubrication; the anus does not lubricate the way the female genitalia does or produces semen the way males do, so in order to penetrate easily, without it being too painful, is to use a great lube (see below for suggestions). 

Anal-specific positions 
There are few ways to approach this and it all depends on size and positioning. Don't try to do anything too crazy, do what works and be patient. Experiment with different positions and keep trying until you find something that works for you. Here are 6 Positions for Great Anal Sex from Kinkly if you need any ideas. 

Play with it
Lick it, tickle it, lightly touch it. If you or your partner aren't ready for total penetration, you can still enjoy stimulation. Tease it with just the tip of your finger or a small vibrator. Add a small amount of lube and gently rub the rim. 

Eat it 
Backdoor oral is becoming more a popular topic to talk about than ever. Once you can leave all the inhibitions behind and just be open to the fact that things could possibly get weird, this form of oral can lead to down right ecstasy. Be sure both of you are nice and clean (in the rear and in the mouth), find relaxing time and place, and take it slow. 

Try a new toy 
It's not a bad idea to have a toy that specifically meant for anal pleasure. Often using toys for all places can lead to infections if they aren't cleaned properly. Having said that, try a toy that's for the bum! Experiment with anal beads, butt plugs, vibrators and prostate massagers. We love Organic Loven's "Cat Tail Anal Plug and Mask Set,"  and their B-Vibe Snug Plugs for great body-safe options for some rear-end fun. Safety tip: make sure your butt toys have an anchored base to keep it safely anchored outside the body). 

Update your lube 
Lubrication is one of the three golden rules of anal pleasure. It's going to help you open up, receive or penetrate better. If you're new to this type of experience, you might find relaxing a bit challenging. Again, make sure you feel comfortable in your surroundings and just try to let go. Use a lube that can help you relax those muscles and receive better, like Intimate Earth Adventure Women's Anal Relaxing Serum for Organic Loven. 

Educate yourself
A lot of the hang ups we have about anal sex are simply because we are not educated enough about it. Stereotypes, horror stories and social stigmas have shaped the way a lot of people perceive this form of sex, causing us to miss out on a lot of pleasure. We need to learn about the anatomy of the anus, rectum and sphincter, just as we do the female and male anatomy. Learn about the prostate and how you can really stimulate a man if given the right attention. And be open to breaking the social stigmas that anal is only meant for one type of sexual orientation. 

Explore solo anal
We're all about the DIY method to sex. You didn't know, anal masturbation is a thing and can actually help you define what you like and what you don't like about it before you share the experience with a partner. Start off slowly like you would with a partner, just playing with the tip of your finger, a small toy or even just a little more lube. Decide what you like and then bring it to your partner and guide them through a pleasurable anal experience.