The conversation around rectal hygiene and sexual comfort has shifted with the arrival of a new product from a London team. Polari Labs, co-founded by bioengineer Anna Vybornova and medical scientist Dr. Henry Blest, has introduced the A-BALL — a firm yet compressible insert made from gelatin and alginate that the company says can reduce the need for prolonged douching. Supporters responded quickly: a modest crowdfunding target was surpassed within days, demonstrating palpable demand for alternatives to traditional preparatory routines.
What the A-BALL is and how it is meant to work
The device is described as a ball that can be inserted shortly before sex. According to the founders, when placed internally the A-BALL physically displaces fecal material from the lower rectum and keeps matter from the surrounding colon from moving downward during intercourse. The product is made primarily of gelatin — a protein derived from pork — combined with alginate, a biodegradable gum sourced from seaweed. Body heat softens the ball while it remains intact; it does not dissolve or get absorbed, and is designed to be expelled in a normal bowel movement 30–60 minutes after use.
Funding, demand, and the crowdfunding run
Polari Labs initially sought a relatively small crowdfunding sum of $13,400 (listed as £10,000 in their campaign page). The response quickly outpaced that target. Within a day the campaign had already exceeded six figures, and backers ultimately pledged over $233,612 aiming to secure early batches. The founders previously disclosed raising around $539,000 in pre‑seed funding during interviews, but they say traditional investor conversations have sometimes been awkward because of the device’s intimate focus. For that reason the team chose Kickstarter to test market interest directly and to let potential users vote with their wallets.
Testing, safety and unanswered questions
Although lab demonstration and bespoke testing rigs are featured in the team’s materials, the founders acknowledge that human trials remain limited. Dr. Henry Blest is the only person reported to have used the product so far; broader participant testing is planned and is part of the current fundraising objective. The company emphasizes that they are conducting mechanical and material safety tests, but as with any early-stage health-adjacent innovation there is a real possibility that wider human studies could reveal limitations or unexpected outcomes. Clinical validation and user studies will determine whether the promising lab results translate to reliable performance across diverse bodies.
Regulatory and ingredient notes
Backers should be aware of two practical details. First, one of the primary constituents is gelatin derived from pork, which means the product is not suitable for people seeking vegetarian, kosher, or halal options. Second, crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter warn contributors that pledging supports an ambitious project that has not yet delivered rewards; there is always a risk that promised items may be delayed or not fulfilled.
Availability, pledge tiers and distribution plans
The campaign offers tiered rewards: at the lower end a pledge that includes about 20 balls is listed around $69, while premium tiers rise up to packages that include 80 balls and experiential perks priced near $1,340. An estimated delivery timeline included in campaign materials indicates shipping to backers with an expectation of fulfillment by June 2027. Initial shipping regions listed are the UK, EU, USA, and Canada, and the team says it is exploring broader distribution to other regions where demand has been voiced, including Australia.
User experience and practical advice
The creators recommend using lubricant for insertion and even suggest incorporating that step into foreplay to make the process comfortable. Their explanatory videos and documentation aim to answer