New guy, New questions

2) Is there value in locating and stimulating the prostate manually with your fingers at least once or more as part of the Aneros journey; i.e. to make sure you’ve positively identified what contact feels like?

Hi Ozy, welcome to the forum! To try an answer only to one of your many questions: Lately I watched a video on YouTube made by two guys in their twenties reporting about their visit to an urologist to examine their prostates. This gave me the idea that to visit a doctor might be the best start for beginners with aneros tools at least when experiencing uncertainty about locating their prostate.

As you can't learn swimming out of water, don't take it too scientific. 😉
Just do it! And just let go. These two advices helped me most on my journey.

Cheers, Mart

Answers: 1)does not affect size nor sensitivity of prostate; 2)not necessary to find your prostate with your finger(s), in fact very hard to do on yourself and even if you succeeded, it wouldn't affect a thing; 3)I've never worried about KMSO and get great super O's with my Aneros massagers; 4)no it will not affect it although I'd suggest for a newbie that on nights you're going to have Aneros sessions, don't do ANY traditional penile stimulation while in your session. It's okay to occasionally "finish off" with a traditional ejaculatory orgasm after your session, but it's best to "train" without much of that. (Okay, I know other contributors may hold differing opinions from me on the above, but I think you'll be off to a great start with what I've suggested).

Regarding question 4 I believe it hindered my progress toward the mini-o, dry-o, MMO and Super-O. My body was supposed to be learning something new and I was confusing it with familiar penile stimulation. The biggest problem was my expectation of how Aneros was supposed to feel. I was getting in my own way. This lead to months of frustration. When I took the time to read the forum and the many helpful posts I was able to achieve my first dry-o in two sessions. Since then it has been an amazing journey of discovery and unimaginable pleasure. Pre-conceived notions and expectations will be a huge stumbling block. Find a way to clear your mind and relax. Then you can focus on the new feelings and sensations. Best of luck!

1) How important is semen retention regarding size and sensitivity of the prostate?

IMHO, semen retention is not important with regard to the size and sensitivity of the prostate, however, as many men have discovered by reducing their ejaculation frequency their arousal quotient goes way up and it is high arousal states which significantly help you get into dry-O's and Super-O's ( please see Aneros, Arousal & Abstinence & Are you "aroused"? for some background info). As far as penile contact goes, once one is sufficiently experienced (rewired) adding occasional penile stimulation back into your sessions is OK. The admonition for avoiding penile stimulation at the beginning (learning) stages is to assure the development of the alternate neural pathways to orgasm via prostate stimulation (please see @Cockadoodle ’s thread Penis, NOT and @rook 's thread Whole Body/Whole Mind - the mental side for further insight).

2) Is there value in locating and stimulating the prostate manually with your fingers at least once or more as part of the Aneros journey; i.e. to make sure you’ve positively identified what contact feels like?

IMHO, YES, though this may be difficult or even impossible for some men to achieve due to the awkward positioning required. Having a urologist perform a prostate massage while describing the whole thing would probably be effective but perhaps embarrassing. An alternative might be going to a massage studio such as White Lotus East which offers prostate massage as part of their services. I discovered my own prostate whilst exploring my body in puberty, though I didn't know what it was called, I just knew that it felt good to touch that spot with my finger. Sadly, as I grew into adulthood that kind of activity became increasingly difficult as I lost flexibility when I put on muscle mass.

3) Is practicing KSMO right from the start along with Aneros recommended? Either on alternating days or during Aneros session?

I would recommend it, though I don't see it as essential. Jack's protocol puts more emphasis on the psychological processes and less emphasis on the physicality which is the reverse of the Aneros journey though both practices are complimentary to each other. There is value in unleashing your primal vocalizations and Aneros users in the throes of a Super-O know this very well.

4) Will normal ejaculatory sex/masturbation significantly slow the process of developing prostate MMOs?

IMHO, NO, if the practices are kept separate from each other, at least until one is sufficiently rewired to have repeatable Super-O's. The key is developing the alternate neural pathway to orgasm via prostate stimulation and not getting it confused with typical orgasms accompanied with ejaculation from penile stimulation.
Good Vibes to You !

Ozy-

What a relief to read another noob who thinks the way I do. I too keep my Chakra and my Aneroses separate; I hope putting these toys up my ass without centering my chi hasn't damaged my astral travels irreparably. Science!

Anyway, I've been at this about three months now, and I can offer some experiences and perspectives from a newer and more realistic POV.

I haven't had any orgasms yet--not prostate, dry, wet, hands-free, with fries, nada. More on that later, though. What I have had, which is wonderful, is mixes of wonderful warmth, satisfaction, buzzing, slight contractions that I haven't induced, tingles, and spikes of unusual pleasure that ebb and flow. It's all great, apropos of nothing. If this is all that there is for me, I'd still love it.

For a while I felt terribly jealous and frustrated by all the 'wowee!' posts. You've read them, I'm sure: 'Wowee, I tried this for the first time today and had seventeen MO's in a row, then had nine hands-free wet orgasms, then fucked my three girlfriends, then had a couple Aless (Aneroless) orgasms to boot! Can't wait for my second session!' Let's dispense with those right away.

My most significant milestone by far has been embracing the reality that no single piece of advice works the same way for two of us, nor are any two of our paths alike, not in time, landmarks, nor pace. Since we're all different in our sexual and sensual preferences, not to mention our anatomies, it's common sense that we'll all have different responses to these little doodads. Accept that your fun with your new toys is yours alone, relax and enjoy the rides, and you're primed for pleasure.

That said, on to your Qs.

1. Semen retention is new for me, and it's been interesting. A couple of terrific side-effects from Aneros play are that I watch far less porn and masturbate less than I have since, well, ever. This wasn't exactly conscious; it was more that porn and traditional self-gratification became less interesting compared to the allure of deeper, more powerful pleasure. We're men now, not boys, and the simple cycle of porn-jerk-wait felt sort of facile. Regardless, storing up your ammo a little feels good. My dick feels bigger, and it gets that lovely tightness of super-hard ons. Even more, I've never, ever dripped or leaked anything, and over the last couple of weeks, I've noticed that leaving my Johnson alone leads to new and intriguing sensations of fluid moving in my urethra, and damned if a bit later I haven't seen a few drops of clear Cowper's fluid coming out--I thought it was urine until I touched it and found that it stretched like something Spiderman had spun. Before seminal retention, I've never had this. Re. masturbating, it's still great (no shit), but I've come to the conclusion that I don't like it after A-sessions. It sends my prostate and penis mixed signals, and neither quite understands who gets what. Now I separate the two- I jerk when I jerk, and use my toys separately. Again, to each his own, but this works best for me. Try both ways.

2. You're a Puritan if you don't use your fingers in the name of science. Keep exploring, and noting how different spots feel. But once more, I keep things separate. My fingers go into the category of prostate milking (also new for me) and for that, I have an N-joy Pure steel thing. It's a bulldozer in a china shop compared to an Aneros. Try it too, but Aneros play is something to isolate, at least so you can get a truer sense of what these toys really do. You won't hear a whisper when other things are shouting.

3. Sounds are awesome. I haven't tried KSMO, so can't knock it, but it seems like lingerie to me--something that adds to the fire. In rock climbing, you never rely on your equipment; you rely on your climbing. The equipment is there for when you fall. However, I love natural sounds--putting on ocean waves, rain, beats, or whatever is terrific if it heightens your sensual awareness and pleasure. Go for it, but I wouldn't depend on it.

4. Hmm. Good Q. I've been wondering the same thing, and in fact have a bit less sex with my wife, just to see for myself...although the wiki and lots of other reading indicates that there isn't really a refractory period for prostate play. It makes sense that if your sex drive has been satiated you won't crave prostate stimulation, but I've also had great sex or a great wank, and a day later, even when my penis wasn't interested, my prostate was, and I had nice Aneros sessions. We're men of science--time for some clinical trials! Set up your control, and test your variables, right?

And re. the last point, about downtime between, I'd say the same thing yet again--see what you like from trial (no error needed). You won't hurt anything with Aneros toys, and your body will tell you when it's ready and when it's not. What would you say if someone asked you when they should eat?

*Back to orgasms. I contend, with my limited experience, that expecting a sudden 'bam!' is counterproductive, if not wrong. Some guys seem to suddenly find the right hole for the Staff of Ra, then the sun shoots through and God tells them where the Ark is buried. Bully for them. When I was 11, this was the case with my first wanking orgasm--BAM! But the prostate is a different organ, and so is the street it lives on, and all the surrounding avenues of tissue and nerves. Rather, I think I may have already had some teeny tiny orgasms, slight hints of things to come (pun intended.) Some sessions are just better than others--what makes that so? My thinking is that the pleasure from Aneros is on a continuum, one that develops with time and awareness. I don't believe in quantum leaps; when people use this term, they don't see the thousand invisible connections between the big sexy points. Jimmy Page didn't descend from the clouds as a guitarist--he practiced ad nauseum. We only bought the records. So practice. It's a blast, and the worst that can happen is that you have some quiet time to yourself.

Last but not least, a few tactics I'd recommend:

~Shea Butter is the best. It warms up, emulsifies beautifully, isn't gooey or thick, and will give you great sensory feedback. Nice moisturizer, too.
~Try Kegels. There are a bunch of advanced practitioners and posts around here, and I'm starting to feel more powerful and responsive because of them. Kegels are good for you in every way. Experiment with your Aneros toy, and without. It'll get you more in touch with all your bits and pieces that you've taken for granted.
~Meditation is excellent. I'm not a spiritual guy, but I meditate regularly, and awareness of your breathing, body, and state of mind is an important tool for your sensual development. I think of Aneros sessions as meditation of sorts, and that makes it all worthwhile, regardless of the outcome.

Best of pleasures, fellow rookie, hope you get something out of my response, and post your progress, yes? Feedback, from initiates and vets alike, keeps us all pointing towards true north.

Zenopause

"...let must or if be damned with whomever's afraid
down with ought with because with every brain
which thinks it thinks, nor dares to feel (but up
with joy; and up with laughing and drunkenness)

--ee cummings