It goes without saying that bottoming requires more preparation than topping. Now, I’m not here to claim one role is harder or more noble than the other—but let’s be real, the prep work isn’t exactly evenly distributed.
Bottoming often asks for a little extra planning, a little extra patience, and sometimes, a little extra product. Do you need all of the items listed below? Probably not. But I’ve personally found each one to be surprisingly helpful in my own bottoming journey, and if they’ve made my life easier, chances are they’ll do the same for you.
Consider this less of a shopping list and more of a survival kit. One built from trial, error, and a shit ton of lube.
Fiber Supplements:
Fiber is great for everybody, but can be especially useful for bottoms as fiber helps keep your digestion regular, your stool soft, and ultimately makes douching a much, much easier task. It is important to note that douching is not necessary when bottoming, but folks can feel much more confident in taking dick when they’ve cleaned out.
It is recommended that men under 50 get about 38 grams of daily fiber in their diet, but typically get less than half of that (15-18 grams), so fiber supplements help you meet that daily requirement.
Try: Pure for Men Stay Ready Fiber Capsules
Douche Bulb:
This item is likely no surprise to anyone who’s had a dick in their ass. Most bottoms own a douche bulb, but what you may not know is that the majority of douche bulbs are way too large, which leads to overdouching. Which can cause irritation, bloating and douche dependency.
Many bulbs hold 8–12 ounces, sometimes more. That much water can flush deep into the colon rather than just rinsing the rectum, which is where anal penetration primarily takes place. When your rinse reaches the rectum, you actually bring all that stool through the rectum, ultimately making things messier than if you hadn’t douched at all.
For most people, a small rinse of 2–4 ounces is sufficient to clear the rectum.
Try: Future Method Anal Douche Bulb
Dilator Set:
Fantastic for beginners and pros alike, anal dilators are created to gradually and comfortably train for anal penetration. Most dilator sets come with three or four toys, starting modestly small and gradually growing larger with each progressive toy. This gradual growth helps you upsize without injury.
I’ve personally found the toys in dilator kits to be fantastic for anal prep prior to bottoming. Simply choose the toy that feels most comfortable, lube it, insert it, and engage your sphincter muscles so they can relax on their own before a sexual partner tops you.
Try: Future Method Silicone Anal Dilator Set
Lube Launcher:
Now this is an item you may be less familiar with, and I swear by them. When bottoming, we most often lubricate the penis, the toy, and the anus. And to be honest, we likely don’t use enough. What a lube launcher does is ensure the entire anal canal is evenly coated with lube, which helps prevent microtearing, hemorrhoids, fissures, and so on.
Most lube launchers come in packs of three, are reusable, and are super easy to clean. An added bonus: They allow for more precise application, meaning you’re less likely to wind up with sticky hands and stained sheets.
Try: Generic Lube Applicator 2 Pcs.
Bidet:
Every gay should own a bidet, this is a declarative statement. Wiping with dry toilet paper can be harsh on the delicate skin around your bum, leading to microtears and irritation.
Wet wipes can also be quite harsh since most brands contain fragrances, alcohol, or preservatives that can disrupt your skin’s natural barrier and cause itching, burning, or rashes. Even “flushable” wipes aren’t truly flushable, which means they can clog pipes and harm the environment.
Because bidets clean with water, they avoid all of that, are more effective at cleaning, and, by contrast, feel like a spa for your hole.
Try: Tushy Classic 3.0
Preparation H:
Sometimes, we go a little too hard when bottoming, and our holes pay the price. That’s where ointments like Preparation H and Anusol come in.
Preparation H and Anusol are over-the-counter creams created to treat hemorrhoids. Because receptive anal sex can sometimes lead to irritation, minor swelling, or flare-ups from hemorrhoids, Preparation H helps heal those ailments, working as a form of aftercare: calming soreness, shrinking inflamed tissue, and ultimately speeding up recovery.
Try: Preparation H Multi-Symptom Hemorrhoid Treatment Ointment
CBD Suppositories:
As someone who largely regards CBD as a sort of snake oil, I was pleasantly surprised by the effects of CBD suppositories. CBD suppositories are small capsules made with coconut oil and infused with cannabidiol. Inserted anally, they allow CBD to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the tissues in the rectum.
CBD has natural anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and muscle-relaxing properties, which can ease rectal tension, reduce pain or discomfort, and make receptive anal sex more comfortable and enjoyable. They may also help soothe hemorrhoids or irritation, offering both prep and aftercare benefits.
Try: Foria CBD Melts
Lube:
Last but certainly not least, every bottom needs a bottle (or many bottles) of their favorite lube. Our bodies are all different, meaning they will react differently to lube. Some prefer water-based, others prefer silicone-based and some like the oil-based, the longest lasting of the bunch. It’s important to try them all and see which best suits you.
Whatever your preference, always make sure you have plenty when bottoming, and I’ve personally found travel-sized lubricants fantastic for bathhouses and cruising, since lugging around a regular-sized bottle can be a little cumbersome.