Anal Beads

Dear Sarah,
I am in a relationship with a new sex partner who is a little more shy than I am. So far we have been able to talk openly about sexual topics, although she gets a bit nervous at times. I am an avid proponent of sex toys, and she admits she has never had much experience with them. I recently received a set of anal beads as a "free gift" with an online toy order, and I am very interested in trying them. Is this too much to ask? Should I start with something a little more mainstream? How can I bring this up without too much angst for either of us?

Playful

Dear Playful,
The fact that you and your new partner are talking openly is a great sign. It sounds like she is willing to press through her nervousness, which makes a positive statement. Many people are scared of the unknown, so if she hasn't had much experience with sex toys it makes sense she might have some reservations.

Anal beads are a series of small balls, usually graduated in size and attached together by some type of cord. The beads are inserted through the anus into the rectum and then removed at varying speeds, creating a pleasurable feeling as they pass through the anal sphincter. They are used by people of all genders and sexual orientations. While this type of activity may be unfamiliar to your new parner, anal play is practiced by many couples and is not considered a fetish. What would it be like to tell her directly about the anal beads, take a look at them together, and ask her for some feedback? If she's scared, the two of you can explore together what her fears are and come to some mutual understanding.