From Plugs to Prostate Massagers: Finding the Right Anal Toy for You

Written by the Starship Education Team

Last Updated:

Choosing an anal toy for the first time can feel like navigating a maze of shapes, sizes, and product categories. Anal toys range from simple plugs to specialized prostate massagers, and the options can feel overwhelming. Understanding your anatomy and what kind of sensation you are seeking is the best way to make a confident choice. Let’s go through how to choose the right toy based on your experience level and pleasure goals.

TL;DR

• Choosing the right anal toy starts with understanding your anatomy. Everyone has pelvic floor muscles that support core stability and sexual function. However, not everyone has a p-spot. Only people assigned male at birth will have a prostate.  
• Beginners may find the XR Trinity Vibes Anal Training Kit helpful for gradual progression, while the Starship Bootyful Beads offer a gentle introduction to a different type of sensation.
• For targeted prostate stimulation, the Aneros Helix is designed to move with your body for hands-free, focused pressure, and the Starship Hercules Intro to Prostate Kit provides a range of options for exploring different sensations in one purchase.
• The Gender X Anybody’s Plug offers a curved design with vibration that works for any anatomy, making it a versatile choice for those seeking something beyond traditional shapes. 
  Start slowly, use plenty of lube, and avoid numbing products. Pain is a signal that something needs to change, so adjust your approach as needed for a comfortable experience. 

Understanding Your Anatomy: The Pelvic Floor and Prostate

The foundation of anal pleasure lies in understanding the pelvic floor and the prostate. 

The Pelvic Floor

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that supports your bladder, bowel, and internal reproductive organs. These muscles assist with bodily functions like urination and defecation. Everyone has pelvic floor muscles, regardless of whether they have a prostate. 

They also play a large part in sexual function with erections and ejaculation. [Cleveland Clinic] Strengthening these muscles through exercises like kegels can enhance sensation during anal play for people of all anatomies. 

The Prostate

Sometimes called the P-spot, the prostate is a small gland located just below the bladder. It’s rich in nerve endings, which is why stimulating it can feel very different and, for some, more intense than external stimulation. Prostate stimulation can trigger a distinct orgasm that is often described as deeper and longer-lasting. 

The prostate is part of the reproductive anatomy found in people assigned male at birth. For those who don’t have a prostate, anal play can still be a highly pleasurable experience. The anus and rectum are also rich in nerve endings, and many people enjoy the sensation of fullness or the feeling of target pressure from curved toys. Anal pleasure is not limited to one type of anatomy or sexuality. 

How to Choose Anal Toys

For beginners, look for a toy that prioritizes safety and comfort. The anus does not naturally lubricate itself, so using ample lube is necessary to reduce friction and prevent discomfort or injury. A toy with a flared base is essential. A flared base prevents the toy from traveling too deep into the rectum, where it can become difficult to retrieve. [Planned Parenthood]

Beginner Friendly Toys

XR Trinity Vibes Anal Training Kit

This three-piece anal training set is designed for gradual comfort and easy progression. A training kit allows you to start with a smaller size and work your way up as you become more comfortable. The plugs in this kit all have varying designs, allowing you to experiment with different sensations, making it an ideal choice for those new to anal play.

Starship Bootyful Beads

Anal beads offer a different sensation than a plug. Anal beads provide stimulation upon insertion and during removal. The flexible, yet firm beads are a gentle starting point for exploring this type of sensation. You can ease yourself into the bigger beads, and easily remove them with the easy-to-hold loop at the end. 

Targeted Stimulation: Best Prostate Toys

Once you are comfortable with the basics, you may want to explore P-spot massagers and other toys specifically designed for prostate stimulation. P-spot massagers differ from standard plugs because of their curved shape. This curve is designed to point directly at the prostate to deliver focused sensations. 

Products for Prostate Play

Aneros Helix

This massager features an angled head, “W” shaped arms, and a contoured body that moves with the user. The design has been perfected to provide targeted pressure on the prostate through subtle body movements. The user can contract their pelvic floor muscles, move their hips up and down or side-to-side to create hands-free, deeply focused sensation. 

Starship Hercules Intro to Prostate Kit

This kit offers versatility by including four silicone toys. The toys can be used for just prostate play, or be paired with a cock ring for dual stimulation. The included toys range from gentle bulbs and beads to prostate vibrators. This kit is an excellent option for someone who wants to explore different sensations with a single purchase.

Gender X Anybody’s Plug

This plug features a curvy design and tapered-tip head. Due to its unique shape, it offers a different experience from more traditional, uniform designs. It has 10 vibration speeds to provide extra stimulation and can be used by anyone, with or without a prostate. 

Expert Tip: Finding Your Fit

Beyond beginner and advanced categories, the best toy for you depends on your personal preference. Consider what kind of sensation you are looking for. 

• Shape: Curved toys like the Aneros Helix and some plugs provide targeted pressure, while straighter, bulbous designs offer a feeling of fullness. If you’re looking for prostate stimulation in particular, a curved plug or toy is best.
• Size: Starting small is always recommended. As you become more experienced, you might prefer a larger size. Take your time to increase size, increasing too quickly could cause pain or tearing.
• Material: Body-safe materials, such as medical-grade silicone, are non-porous and easier to clean, reducing the risk of bacterial buildup. Metal, glass, and silicone toys (that do not have batteries) can be boiled in water to disinfect after use.
• Lube: Since the anus doesn’t self-lubricate, using a high quality lube is non-negotiable. Friction can cause discomfort or tearing that could lead to infections. Anal lubes tend to be thicker in consistency and last longer than traditional lubes. 

Important Note: We advise against using numbing creams or lubes for anal play. Pain/discomfort is a sign that something is wrong and needs to be adjusted. 

Taking it to the Bedroom

Finding the right anal toy is a personal journey. The “best” choice depends on your comfort level, anatomy, and the type of sensation you are seeking. By understanding the basics of pelvic floor anatomy and prioritizing safety features like a flared base and body-safe materials, you can make a well-informed, and pleasurable, decision. 

Ready to explore but not sure where to start? Take our Anal Quiz for personalized recommendations! 

FAQ

1. 1. What is prostate stimulation, and why does it feel different? 
      Prostate stimulation targets the P-spot, a gland rich in nerve endings located just below the bladder. This type of stimulation is only possible for people assigned male at birth as the prostate is part of the male reproductive system. Prostate stimulation can produce a distinct orgasm that many describe as deeper and longer-lasting compared to external stimulation alone.
   2. How do I start with prostate play if I am a beginner?
      The best idea is to start small, use plenty of lube, and go slowly. A toy with a flared base is essential for safety. Many beginners start with a simple plug or anal beads to get comfortable with the sensation before moving to curved toys designed specifically for prostate stimulation.
   3. What toy shape is best for prostate stimulation?
      Curved toys are specifically designed to reach the prostate. The curve allows the toy to point directly at the prostate, delivering focused pressure. Straighter designs offer more of a feeling of fullness but may not provide the same targeted stimulation.
   4. Is lube important for anal play?
      Yes. The anus does not self lubricate, so using lube is necessary to reduce friction and prevent discomfort or tearing. Thicker, longer-lasting anal lubes are generally recommended for a more comfortable experience. Avoid numbing lubes, as pain is an important signal that something needs to be adjusted.
   5. What materials are safest for anal toys?
      Medical-grade silicone is a reliable choice because it is non-porous, body-safe, and easy to clean. Metal and glass toys are also safe and can be boiled for disinfection. Avoid toys made from porous materials that can harbor bacteria.