Short strokes are ideal if you’re using a dildo or penis, and “come hither” or side-to-side motions work great if you're using fingers. Be sure to not prod or poke at this area, especially if you’re stimulating the prostate because it can feel incredibly uncomfortable for the receiver. Hybrid lubes typically have a combination of water and silicone, so they have a mix of the pros and cons of each option. The water makes them easy to clean up and the silicone keeps them from drying out so they last longer. If you’re bringing silicone anal toys into the mix, you’ll want to avoid silicone-based lubes, since this kind of lube erodes silicone toys. But don’t worry—if you want to use silicone-based lube and toys, there are other toy materials out there that work just fine, such as glass or metal. Darvishi, M., et al. (2015). The comparison of vaginal cream of mixing yogurt, honey and clotrimazole on symptoms of vaginal candidiasis.

Flavored lube: To make oral sex taste better, you might enjoy something with flavor. These typically water-based lubricants are A-OK for penetrative sex, but the additives may make you more susceptible to vaginal infections. What to look for in a good lube If you’ve ever used vegetable or olive oil for cooking, you already have a good idea of their viscosity. For example, if someone inserts butter into a vagina or anus and does not clean the area properly afterward, the butter may start to spoil and become rancid. This may cause an infection due to bacterial growth. SpitBeyond the base of the lubricant, there are other things to keep in mind when looking for a go-to option. Mason recommends a high-viscosity, long-lasting lube for extra comfort. Jojoba oil, olive oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, or sweet almond oil are also good ingredients to look for, per the Cleveland Clinic. A fragrance-free lube is ideal for everyone, but if you have sensitive skin or you've been sensitive to lube in the past, it’s even more important to find an option that’s hypoallergenic and made without fragrances. “Use a high-quality lube, be patient, and take the time to really enjoy yourself and set time aside to get fully aroused for sex,” Gigi Engle, ACS, a certified sex educator and host of Internet Sex Therapy, tells SELF. “The more lube the better. I always say you shouldn’t be thinking there can be “too much” lube. You should want to be on a water slide. It just makes everything better. This applies for all kinds of sex—but is especially important during anal—because the anal doesn’t self-lubricate like a vagina.” What you should avoid in an anal lube Just like when finding a good lube for your vagina, it's best to avoid products with perfumes or scents, as these oft times will serve as irritants. As Babeland brand manager and sex educator Lisa Finn points out, the lining of your rectum is very good at absorbing stuff, so you don't want any unnecessary alcohol, flavorings, and artificial dyes. And while petrochemicals (like propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, or petroleum) and preservatives (such as parabens, benzyl alcohol, or citric acid) aren't *totally* necessary to avoid, they can cause itching or irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin. Avoid anything "numbing" This advice still stands if your partner ejaculates inside you. Though some people worry this could cause runny poops that resemble diarrhea, Dr. Frankhouse says this actually isn’t the case. For one thing, since poop usually isn’t in your rectum until you’re close to expelling it, there’s no real opportunity for poop and semen to mix. Even if poop could go farther up into your colon, semen is usually runny. Since your anus will likely remain expanded for a few minutes after anal sex, that semen can just leak right on out, Dr. Frankhouse says. If you want to go to the bathroom to expel that, feel free, but it’s not necessary! I highly recommend against the use of enemas,’ says Mia. ‘While some think that enemas make anal play more hygienic, this is a highly misunderstood concept.

Even though many lubes include a numbing agent, we recommended never to use numbing lubes, gels, or creams for anal sex.Dr Elizabeth Daprè, an academic GP trainee explains, 'When planning penetrative anal play always make sure to use a lot of lubricant. The anus and rectum do not self-lubricate as the vagina does, and without the liberal use of lubricant the delicate rectal tissue is at risk of damage. We’ll answer the big question: yes, you might see some poop. It’s normal and to be expected, and frankly, if you’re deeply uncomfortable with the idea of fecal matter being anywhere near you, anal play might not be for you. Poo comes out of your anus. Accept that, move on.