Butt Plugs: The Ultimate Toy for Anal Pleasure

butt plug
Written by Molly Lazarus

Butt plugs can make an excellent addition to your sex toy collection, especially if you’re an aspiring anal play enthusiast. Like a lot of people, however, you might have reservations about the idea of sticking a foreign object up your booty.

Shame and fear keep a good deal of sex fans from opening up to anal play.

You may also feel unsure about how to use butt plugs, or why people like them in the first place. I, too, used to have these questions and concerns. A few years back, anal anything was a no-go for me. Even after I’d tried anal sex several times, the thought of putting a non-human object up there still squicked me out.

Make sure to check out Beducated's Anal Pleasure Online Courses
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That all changed after an anal sex experience that had me cumming so hard I forgot my own name and address. Butt plugs (and the patient, knowledgeable partner who suggested using them,) played a big ol’ role in that enlightening session. I’m now officially a fan and wish to spread the love to you!

So, dear reader here’s the lowdown on butt plugs and how to use them.

What Is a Butt Plug, Anyway?

what is a butt plug

A butt plug is a sex toy that’s designed to be inserted in the rectum and held in place by the powerful muscles of the sphincter. You can buy them in a wide variety of shapes, colors, textures, and designs. (More on that later!)

How Are Butt Plugs Shaped?

The butt plug is shaped with a tapered tip for easy insertion into the anus and become wider along the middle like most penises do. The end of a butt plug has two important features:

One, a notch that’s thinner in diameter than the middle of the plug. (Your sphincter will hug it tightly like a long-lost friend, keeping the toy snugly in place.) And two, a flared base that’s designed to remain outside the body. This will keep the plug from sliding completely inside you and make it easy to remove.

Unlike a vagina, the rectum lacks a convenient cervix to keep the body from swallowing objects and holding them hostage.

Always buy a butt plug with a flared base.

That is to avoid those legendary-yet-awkward trips to the hospital we’ve all heard so much about.

What Are Butt Plugs Made Of?

Butt plugs can be made from a variety of materials, including latex, glass, metal, wood, and silicone. Silicone is a particularly good choice, as it can be safely disinfected in boiling water. Glass is also good for easy cleaning.

What Sizes Do These Toys Come In?

Butt plugs come in many sizes. Some have the girth of a middle finger at their widest point, while others sport the whopping thickness of a coke can.

Jon Millward wrote a great article for some seriously hard data on sex toy sizes from Lovehoney, the UK’s #1 supplier.

Why Do People Use Them?

why use a butt plug

I’m glad you asked! People dig butt plugs for many different reasons.

Pleasure

The anus is packed with nerve endings, making it an intensely sensitive and stimulating place to be touched. Additionally, butt plugs can stimulate the prostate in men and be physically arousing for women, sparking anal orgasms that will have you melting into a messy and delicious pool of butter. I speak from experience!

Anal sex preparation

Your sphincter muscles are used to pushing things out rather than inviting things in. It takes training to get your body and mind comfortable with back-door penetration. Anal plugs can help you gradually relax and work up to accepting your partner’s size, reducing the chances of a painful or dangerous anal sex experience.

Shits and giggles

You can come up with oodles of fun and creative games involving butt plugs. Imagine strolling through the streets of Paris on your honeymoon with a vibrating plug hidden under your clothes, activated by a descrete remote control in your partner’s hand. Kinky!

BDSM

Speaking of kinky BDSM, butt plugs can hold special appeal for power play-inclined peeps. Anal play is incredibly intimate and, initially at least, can be challenging or embarrassing for the receiver. Some submissive practitioners adore offering this sacrifice to their partner, while some dominants enjoy guiding their sub through the butt-play process.

Taboo

Many people out there still consider butt stuff to be risqué, dirty, naughty, perverted, or abnormal. This mentality can be greatly arousing for people who get off on such ideas.

Owning one’s WHOLE body

There’s a sense of pride that comes with embracing your asshole, a part of the body that’s supposed to be off-limits, according to some. The feeling of fullness butt plugs create is a continuous reminder to the wearer that their body is THEIRS and no one can stop them from enjoying every inch of it. Plug it with pride!

Are Butt Plugs Safe?

When used properly, yes!

Make sure to check out Beducated's Anal Pleasure Online Courses
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However, studies show that anal penetration of any flavor comes with risks. The chance of catching an STI increases dramatically for peeps who take it in the butt, so be sure to get tested and/or use protection if anal sex is also on your menu.

Additionally, rumors abound that stretching the anus can lead to horrifying injuries like prolapse, or contribute to fecal incontinence. Yikes! However, many of these rumors aren’t backed up by irrefutably solid data, and reports of serious injuries are rare. Statistically speaking, if you and your partner take the proper precautions, butt plugs are unlikely to cause you much grief.

And, if your anal muscles feel too relaxed after you begin experimenting with butt plugs, there’s always kegels or deer exercise. Give that sphincter a hearty squeeze, friend!

So, How Do You Use This Kinky Thing Safely?

butt plug

There are a number of things you and your partner can do to ensure a smooth ride during your ass plug adventure.

#1 Start small and work your way up

You want to gently increase the size of your toys over time, rather than signing up to accept an object your body can’t possibly handle right away.

#2 Take your time and go slowly

I mean REALLY slowly. Anal play is a tortoise-and-hare game: slow and steady wins the race.

If you feel sharp pain while inserting your plug, you’re moving too fast.

Take a long breath, have a cup of tea, and chill the fuck out, my overly ambitious explorer!

#3 Focus on relaxing your body and mind

Anal play should be exciting and transformative, rather than feeling like a fight between you and your bunghole. And more importantly, tense muscles increase your chances of injuries like anal fissures. Consciously relaxing will allow your butt plug to glide right in like a majestic swan.

#4 Use abundant, generous, copious amounts of LUBE

The ass is not a self-lubricating area, so you and your partner will have to juice it up manually to make insertion of your butt plug pleasurable. “Which lube should I choose?!” you eagerly ask? A fine question!

Pick your lube based on the material of your butt plug.

Never use a silicone-based lube with a silicone plug. Silicone bonds to silicone, making for a sticky, unsexy mess.

#5 Clean your plugs thoroughly after use, every time

The unsanitary anal play is a massive no-go that can lead to infection. Start by rinsing off any leftover lube or poopy bits with warm water. Then, take some antibacterial soap and gently wash the surface of the plug with your fingers. Voila! You’re all set for another go.

#6 Store your plug somewhere sanitary where it won’t get ruined

Badly kept toys can easily morph or be damaged in other ways. If your plug vibrates or requires batteries for some other reason, remove them when you’re not using the toy. Some sex toys drain batteries if you leave them in while they’re not in use.

What Types of Butt Plugs Are out There?

types of butt plugs

If you’re ready to give butt plugs a try, you may feel overwhelmed by the plethora of options on the market. Here’s a list of choices for leisurely browsing.

Vibrating Butt Plugs

These can provide wearers with mild to intense levels of stimulation. They can be battery operated, USB rechargeable, controlled by wireless remote, and more!

Tail Butt Plugs

These can be mega cute if you’re into animal play.! Oink oink. “Kawaii!!!!!”

Inflatable Plugs

These are awesome for gradually pushing the back door open, allowing you to work up to bigger sizes with a single convenient toy.

Ribbed Butt Plugs

These can be great for wearers who enjoy the feeling of having a plug gently pulled in and out of their ass during use. Have fun experimenting with continuous stimulation!

Electrostimulation Plugs

For people seeking a more SHOCKING (hah!) experience, these can provide an extra zap of satisfaction.

“Ejaculating” Plugs

If you’re looking to fill extra full, why not go for one of these? Fill it with whatever you like and go to town! Don’t be shy!

Prostate-focused Plugs

Hey guys, you’re in for a treat! There are gaggles of butt plugs created specifically to stimulate your prostate. Some are even built with an attached cock ring.

Hollow Plugs

These offer additional opportunities for you extra-intrepid types out there. The makers of this plug explain its appeal nicely: “Endless exploration possibilities – Insert fingers, lube, or even a vibrator right through the tunnel. Isn’t it time to stretch your imagination?” You know, I’d never thought about it, but they may be right! Carpe diem!

Glass Plugs

These can make for visually appealing works of art and, as mentioned above, are conveniently easy to clean. This lovely set comes in a variety of charming shapes and colors.

Jeweled Plugs

Jeweled plugs are elegant, simple, and popular. Choose a gem in your favorite color to bring out your inner sparkle.

Well, What Are You Waiting For?!

I hope this post has helped answer your questions and provide peace of mind about the wide world of anal plug pleasure. Go on now, get out there and give it the ol’ college try!

Make sure to check out Beducated's Anal Pleasure Online Courses
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About the author

Molly Lazarus

Molly Lazarus is a kink & sexuality writer, BDSM community organizer, and newbie erotic fiction author. Her website, Kink Out Loud, serves as a resource for readers who are new to or curious about BDSM. She contributes to Beducated, Kinkly, and the BDSM Training Academy. Offline, Molly acts as Volunteer Coordinator for the Bay Area chapter of Kinky Salon. In the past, she worked as a munch organizer, shibari model, and kink-101 instructor. You can follow her on Facebook and Pinterest, or browse her filthy fiction on Amazon. Learn more about us and our editorial guidelines.