Everyone that has ever visited a sex shop must have seem them: Ben Wa balls. And if not, you may have read about them in the ‘Fifty Shade of Grey’ trilogy. But many people wonder what it is exactly that you can do with them, and what kind of pleasure they bring. And, if you want to buy them, which ones? NBRplaza did the research.

What are Ben Wa balls?

Ben Wa balls (AKA Geisha balls, Burmese balls, orgasm balls, Venus balls, Pleasure balls, kegel balls, or vagina balls) have a number of functions. They can cause a feeling of arousal when you carry them, but (just as important) they are also used to train the pelvic floor muscles. And that is good for your health and for better sex.

They are two small balls with the size of a marble that are connected. Most of the time they are hollow and inside is a counterweight that moves around to cause vibrations.

Ben Wa balls have been around for ages. Still, it is unclear where exactly they come from. In ancient China Geishas used to wear one of those balls to cause extra pleasure during sex. Later, other versions arose that had two balls connected with some kind of ribbon or chain. Late 16th century, the English businessman Ralph Fitch brought some of them from Birma (now Myanmar). A couple of decades later, the Italian traveling salesman Francesco Carletti brought them along from a trip to Thailand. Oddly, both described them as weights that were used by men to increase the size of their penis.

Vagina balls are good for your health and for a better sex life

The balls are meant to go into the vagina or anus. When you move around, the vibrations of the counterweights cause soft kinetic vibrations. Also they give a feeling of ‘being filled’. Some women feel the ‘vibe’ against their G-spot. This type of stimulation rarely causes an orgasm, but when you are really sensitive it will cause an arousing pleasure.

These balls are also great to use as a couple. If you have read ‘Fifty Shades’ you may know the fragment where Anastasia tells how Christian inserted them with her. If you haven’t read that part, you can find the part below.

Even when the balls don’t exactly turn you on, there is a reason to wear them. Because wearing Ben Wa balls will train your pelvic floor muscles. And those are essential for good sex, but also for holding your water. Strong pelvic floor muscles decrease the chance of incontinence. Just like any other muscle in your body, you can make them stronger by exercising. Strong muscles will give you more control and feeling and that will help you achieve stronger orgasms, but your partner will also experience a more tight vagina (you will be able to ‘grab’ him).

What ben wa balls should I choose?

In our shop you can find a wide range of balls. But which ones are fit for you? There are balls in all kinds of dofferent sizes and shapes, colors, for beginners or for the advanced. Some are more suitable for foreplay, while others are meant to use during intercourse. Others emphasize on health purposes.

Holding Ben Wa balls is more difficult when the balls are heavier and smaller. So the bigger and lighter the balls, the easier they are to wear and hold in. Bigger balls have the advantage that you can feel them better when you move around and that can be a big turn on.

Beginner, or just gave birth?

When you plan to use these balls to train your pelvic floor muscles, it’s best to choose somewhat bigger and lighter balls. Those are perfect for women who want to exercise after they gave birth, or for 50 plus women who suffer beginning incontinence.

It’s best to use balls ‘on a rope’. These balls are easy to insert en to remove, and are often lighter than balls without a cord. Our tip: the Luna Beads Noir (also suitable to use with one ball), the Nalone Yany balls, or the Kegel Train Set.

(Slightly) advanced?

Heavier balls are more difficult to keep in and are a good choice if your muscles are already somewhat stronger. Small heavy balls are the ultimate challenge. But that doesn’t mean you have to go for the smallest. Smaller balls are difficult to feel and therefor they give less of a sensual or hot sensation. Our suggestion: the Inner Goddes balletjes (big and heavy), the Luna Beads Noir (moderate).

Extra stimulation

When you are looking for sexual stimulation, you can also choose for ben wa balls with some extras. There are balls with build in vibration or with a structured surface. Never buy balls made of jelly material. These contain softening agents that can cause cancer.

Some vagina balls that are fit for pelvic floor muscle exercise have vibrations that can be controlled remotely, like the We Vibe Bloom, or the legendary Lovense Lush (read our review).

There are also smaller balls for anal use. Usually these contain more than two balls and they are somewhat smaller. They usually don’t have a counterweight and are not meant for training the pelvic floor muscles. These anal balls are meant for pleasure when you insert them or when you pull them out.

How to use Ben Wa balls?

We’re often asked how to use these balls. It’s very simple. You insert the balls one at a time. Use some lube on the first ball. Not too much, because it will be harder to keep it in place when it is too slippery.

Experiment a little what the best place is for you. What feels nice, which place is most stimulated? Try wearing them a little lower in the vagina for a softer sensation, or a bit deeper behind the G-spot for a more intense sensation.

You can also wear them during sex. For example when your partner performs oral sex while you wear the balls.

Don’t exaggerate. Don’t start wearing the bals hours in a row. If you use them for training the pelvic floor muscles, a half hour a day is sufficient. Always read the manual.

Training

The most important thing is that the lowest ball is on top of the pelvic floor muscle. The precise distance differs for every woman. The balls are placed where you normally would place a tampon.

When you wear the balls during everyday activities (walking, swimming, sports, house cleaning, groceries) you will automatically train your pelvic floor muscles. Read our article on kegel training.

How do they come out?

Don’t worry. Ben Wa balls without a cord or rope are quite heavy and will only stay in place when you flex your muscles. When you relax the muscles, they will fall out. When that doesn’t work, you might have to squeeze a little.

Anastasia and Ben Wa balls (from Fifty Shades of Grey)

This is the fragment from the book ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’:

He holds out his hand, and in his palm are two round, shiny, silver balls, linked with a thick black thread.

“These are new,” he says emphatically.

I look questioningly up at him.

“I am going to put these inside you, and then I’m going to spank you, not for punish- ment, but for your pleasure and mine.” He pauses, gauging my wide-eyed reaction.

Inside me! I gasp, and all the muscles deep in my belly clench. My inner goddess is doing the dance of the seven veils.

“Then we’ll fuck, and if you’re still awake, I’ll impart some information about my formative years. Agreed?”

He’s asking my permission! Breathlessly, I nod. I’m incapable of speech.

“Good girl. Open your mouth.”

Mouth?

“Wider.”

Very gently, he puts the balls in my mouth.

“They need lubrication. Suck,” he orders, his voice soft.

The balls are cold, smooth, surprisingly heavy, and metallic tasting. My dry mouth pools with saliva as my tongue explores the unfamiliar objects. Christian’s gray gaze does not leave mine. Holy hell, this is turning me on. I squirm slightly.

“Keep still, Anastasia,” he warns. “Stop.”

He tugs them from my mouth. Moving toward the bed, he throws the duvet aside and sits down on the edge.

“Come here.” I stand in front of him.

“Now turn round, bend down, and grasp your ankles.”

I blink at him, and his expression darkens.

“Don’t hesitate,” he admonishes me softly, an undercurrent in his voice, and he pops the balls in his mouth.

Fuck, this is sexier than the toothbrush. I follow his orders immediately. Jeez, can I touch my ankles? I find I can, with ease. The t-shirt slides up my back, exposing my be- hind. Thank heavens I have retained my panties, but I suspect I won’t for long.

He places his hand reverently on my backside and very softly caresses it with his whole hand. With my eyes open, I can see his legs through mine, nothing else. I close my eyes tightly as he gently moves my panties to the side and slowly runs his finger up and down my sex. My body braces itself in a heady mix of wild anticipation and arousal. He slides one finger inside me, and he circles it deliciously slowly. Oh, it feels good. I moan.

His breathing halts, and I hear him gasp as he repeats the motion. He withdraws his finger and very slowly inserts the objects, one slow, delicious ball at a time. Oh my. They’re body temperature, warmed by our collective mouths. It’s a curious feeling. Once they’re inside me, I can’t really feel them – but then again I know they’re there.

He straightens my panties and leans forward, and his lips softly kiss my behind.

“Stand up,” he orders, and shakily I get to my feet.

Oh! Now I can feel them… sort of. He grasps my hips to steady me while I re-estab- lish my equilibrium.

“You okay?” he asks, his voice stern.

“Yes.” My answer is feather soft.

“Turn round.” I turn and face him.

The balls pull downward and involuntarily I clench around them. The feeling startles me but not in a bad way.