Unlike other anal toys, like dildos and probes that are meant for in-out action, butt plugs literally plug your butt. A continuous feeling of fullness is their forte.
What Are Butt Plugs Used For? 14 Things to Know
Oh, glorious butt plugs! A sex toy that can be enjoyed by anyone with an anus, regardless of genitalia, gender, or orientation.
A butt plug is an anal toy that essentially plugs your butt — in a good way. They’re shaped like a teardrop and have a wider base that prevents them from getting sucked in too far.
What’s the point?
Pleasure for starters. Your anus is chock-full of sensitive nerve endings that feel fant-ass-tic when stimulated. Your butt hole is also the gateway to the prostate — also known as the “male G-spot” — and roundabout to the vaginal A-spot and G-spot.
Orgasm
Yup, anal orgasms are real, anyone with an anus can have one, and a butt plug can help.
All the nerves just inside your backdoor are just part of what makes butt play feel so amazing.
Cisgender men and people assigned male at birth can use a butt plug to achieve a prostate orgasm.
Cisgender women and people assigned female at birth can use one to indirectly stimulate the A-spot or G-spot, which can lead to the phenom known as female ejaculation.
Kink
Into kink? Butt plugs are a versatile toy for your repertoire.
You can use them during submissive play, wear them in public, and engage in some DP action by wearing one during vaginal penetration.
Stretching
Butt plugs can be used to stretch your anus and get you primed for bigger things, whether that’s bigger toys, a penis, or gaping. All it takes is starting off small and gradually working your way up.
Tip: Buy a butt plug trainer kit, which you can find online. They’re often inexpensive and have everything you need.
Are butt plugs safe?
Usually, as long as you take the proper precautions. This includes:
- Using lots of lube.Lube isn’t optional when it comes to butt play. Not having enough can lead to irritation and tears. By tears, we’re talking tears in the delicate skin of your anus and the tears that run down your cheeks when you cry.
- Proper handling. Washing and disinfecting any sex toy before and after use is a must. The reason is, well, poop. Even a super-clean bum contains microscopic fecal matter that can cause infections. Sexually transmitted infections can also be spread by sharing sex toys. Proper care and handling of sex toys can reduce your risk.
- Your health. It’s a good idea to hold off on using butt toys if you have hemorrhoids, anal fissures, or a prostate condition. Check with a doctor or other healthcare provider first.
What misconceptions are there?
Too many. But we’re going to set the record straight and get you on your way to the wonderful world of butt plug fun.
Using plugs doesn’t mean you’re agreeing to anal sex
Consenting to one sex act doesn’t mean you’ve offered an open invitation to another. Using butt plugs doesn’t make your butt one big free-for-all and open to anal sex unless that’s what you want.
It shouldn’t hurt
A little discomfort as your butt gets use to being penetrated is normal, but it shouldn’t cause major pain.
Take things super slow and use lots of lube.
You aren’t going to poop
We promise you won’t, but it sure could feel like you might.
You’re stimulating a lot of the same nerves, so feeling the urge to poop is normal. To clear your mind — and your bowels — use the bathroom before you begin.
It can’t get stuck or lost — but other things could
While butt plugs are cleverly designed to stay put, other things are not. Don’t use anything that’s not specifically meant for your butt.
Foreign objects can do serious damage to your colon, not to mention inspire an episode Untold Stories of the ER.
What types are there?
Unlike other anal toys, like dildos and probes that are meant for in-out action, butt plugs literally plug your butt. A continuous feeling of fullness is their forte.
Plugs are usually tapered for easy insertion and flare towards the bottom. They come in different materials, each offering up different sensations for your pleasure. You can find smooth plugs, textured plugs, and vibrating plugs.
What should beginners buy?
Small and flexible is the way to go if you’re new to butt play.
Here are some butt plugs that are perfect for newbies:
- Small Silicone Anal Beads with a Two Hole Pull Ring. It’s not a plug, but anal beads are a great start if you’re not quite sure you’re up to a mini butt plug just yet. Don’t be intimidated by the length — you can insert one bead at a time and work your way up at your own pace.
- . It’s adorably small but packs a lot of punch thanks to the removable vibrating bullet. You can use the bullet on your erogenous zones while your butt’s busy. Its tiny size also makes it the perfect sidekick for rimming, if you’re into that.
- . This plug offers a lot of bang for your buck — literally. It’s small, tapered, and made of silicone for a little give. It’s also got some bells and whistles like 15 vibration settings and a remote control that’s fun for solo or partnered play.
- . This one gives you pinky-sized pleasure. This simple plug is small, narrow, and smooth, and made with newbies in mind. Perfect for your bum and budget.
- . This slimline butt plug is silky smooth and easy to insert. It’s also waterproof for tub and shower play, and has a removable vibrating bullet that can be used to pleasure your other sweet spots.
- . This one’s short, sweet, and to the point. Its size and pliable jelly-like material ensure a comfy fit. It’s also ridiculously affordable.
How do you use it?
Being aroused and relaxed will make using a butt plug more enjoyable. Incorporating one into other play, like masturbation, oral sex, or vaginal penetration is a great way to get your feet wet.
Here are some tips to help make insertion easy and enjoyable:
- Take a hot bath or start with some foreplay to help relax tense muscles. This will make insertion less jarring.
- Apply lots of lube around your anus and on the plug.
- Press the tip of the plug against your anus and then very gradually increase pressure.
- Stop right away if you feel any pain. Then, take a deep breath and try again using more lube, a different angle, or a smaller plug.
How do you clean and store it?
Most butt plugs can be washed with soap and water or sex toy cleaner, but always read the care instructions included with the butt plug to be sure.
Store your plug in a clean, dry place where it won’t get damaged. If it comes with a storage bag or box, use it.
Is there anything else you should know?
Butt plugs can feel amazing, but they’re not everyone’s cup of tea. Be sure to go slow and play safe, and don’t give up at the first sign of discomfort — sometimes a tweak in your technique is all you need.
If it you’re still not feeling it, no biggie. There are plenty of other fun ways to get off!
Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a freelance writer and author who has written extensively on all things health and lifestyle for more than a decade. When she’s not holed-up in her writing shed researching an article or off interviewing health professionals, she can be found frolicking around her beach town with husband and dogs in tow or splashing about the lake trying to master the stand-up paddle board.
Everything to know about butt plugs
A butt plug is a sex toy that a person inserts into the anus. People use them to provide sexual pleasure. Butt plugs are available in various shapes and sizes.
Read on to learn more about butt plugs, including their uses, safety, potential risks, and how to care for them.
A note about sex and gender
Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.
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A butt plug is a sex toy that people use for anal penetration and stimulation. Unlike dildos, butt plugs should stay in place after insertion. This can stimulate nerve receptors inside the rectum.
Butt plugs are generally tapered or teardrop shaped. They should also have a flared base, usually with a stopper, to prevent people losing them inside the rectum.
Butt plugs come in many varieties, including vibrating or remote-controlled models.
There are a number of reasons someone may want to use a butt plug, including:
Preparing for anal sex
Butt plugs can help a person prepare for anal sex by allowing them to become used to the sensation of having an object inside their anus. Additionally, they can help stretch the anus to allow for easier penetration.
Without preparation, anal sex can be painful. It can also cause tearing of the anus or anal lining. This can make it easier for certain viruses and bacteria to enter the body.
A person should always try and relax before inserting anything into their anus. Feeling comfortable and relaxed will help the anal sphincter to loosen. A sphincter is a ring of muscle that can relax or tighten to open or close passages in the body.
To stimulate the prostate
The prostate is a gland that lies in front of the rectum. Some people who have prostates find it very pleasurable to experience prostate stimulation through their rectum.
Inserting a butt plug can put pressure on the prostate, which can lead to a pleasurable sensation. Some people may find that they can orgasm via prostate stimulation.
A person with a prostate may also enjoy having a butt plug in while they have penetrative sex or during masturbation. Experiencing prostate stimulation during these acts may add to a person’s pleasure.
To enlarge the size of the anus
A person can use butt plugs of varying sizes to help stretch their anus. This can be beneficial for a person who wants to try anal sex.
Over time, the anus will become used to the size of the butt plug. A person can then gradually increase the girth of the butt plug until they achieve the size they desire.
It is important for a person to increase the size of the butt plug slowly and gradually. Inserting butt plugs that are too big can cause pain and tearing.
Yes, butt plugs are safe when people use them correctly. A person should use a butt plug that is a comfortable size and shape to limit the chance of pain or tearing.
People should also only use butt plugs with a flared base. The rectum contains strong muscles that can create an effect of suction, pulling unsuitable objects into the anus.
If a person loses a sex toy inside their anus, they may have to have a medical professional remove it in a hospital. Information from 2018 found that dildos and butt plugs accounted for 41% of objects removed from the anus in a Swedish hospital between 2009 and 2017.
Although many people use them, some myths and misconceptions around butt plugs still persist, including the following:
Only males use them
Females can also receive pleasure from using a butt plug. Research from 2022 found that 17.4% of females who used a sex toy anally found it pleasurable.
The vagina contains various erogenous zones, including the G-spot and the A-spot. Thin walls separate these spots from the rectum. Anal stimulation may put pressure on these areas, resulting in sexual pleasure.
Only gay males use them
People of any gender and any sexuality can use butt plugs.
Using a butt plug does not indicate anything about a person’s sexual preference.
There are many types of butt plugs available, including:
- varying sizes, such as small, medium, and large
- vibrating
- textured
- smooth
- silicone
- glass
- metal
- inflatable
- remote-controlled
- tailed, which means they have a tail on the end that is outside the anus
A person using a butt plug for the first time should pick a small one. They may want to insert a finger or two into their anus to see how it feels before attempting to insert a butt plug.
A person may want to start using their butt plug for a few minutes at a time. Gradually, they may be able to keep the plug in for longer periods.
Some people suggest not having a butt plug inserted for more than 2 or 3 hours. However, this is purely anecdotal and there is no medical evidence to confirm this.
Once a person is used to the sensation of having an object inside their anus, they can gradually increase the size.
Before using a butt plug, a person should make sure they are in a state of relaxation. Outercourse, which some people may call foreplay, may help a person relax and increase their sense of arousal. This may include massage or watching pornography.
The anus cannot lubricate itself, so a person should apply plenty of lubricant to the butt plug. People should use water-based or hybrid-style lubricants with silicone butt plugs.
A person can then insert the butt plug slowly into their anus. Alternatively, they can get a partner to insert it for them.
Although a butt plug can cause mild discomfort, it should not be painful to insert. If a person experiences pain while inserting a butt plug, they should take it out. Pain when inserting a butt plug can occur due to:
- the butt plug being too big
- the person not using enough lubricant
- the person not being relaxed and tensing their anal muscles
A person should thoroughly clean sex toys after every use. They can clean their butt plug using warm water and mild and unscented dish or hand soap. A person can also clean silicone, stainless steel, or Pyrex butt plugs in a dishwasher.
After washing, a person can dry their butt plug using a clean paper towel or allow it to air dry. They can then place it into a clean container, such as a zip-locked bag.
A person should clean the butt plug again before the next use. This helps to ensure there are no lingering bacteria.
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