How and Why Do People Use Butt Plugs + Our Top Recs

“Why do people use butt plugs?” is one of the most common questions that we hear about anal play. It’s matched only by questions about how to use a butt plug. These questions come from newbies, anal sex enthusiasts, and experienced sex toy users. Read on for our guide to butt plugs, from the how and why to our favourites for a variety of experience levels.

11 Reasons Why People Use Butt Plugs

When it comes to the reasons why people use butt plugs, they are as many answers as people. Here are just some of the benefits of butt plugs.

To enhance pleasure

  1. To explore and/or prep for anal intercourse.
  2. It doubles your pleasure. People with vulvas often need a second point of stimulation to experience orgasm. Even if that doesn’t apply to you, more pleasure = more fun.
  3. To feel full. Additionally, for people with vulvas, wearing a plug during vaginal intercourse narrows their vaginal canal and steers the penis/dildo/fingers right toward their g-spot!
  4. To leave your hands free for other sexy things. Because butt plugs stay anchored in place, you get the anal stimulation you desire while using your hands for other fun things.
  5. They feel good! Your butt is full of nerve endings that make it sensitive. In fact, the same nerve (the pudendal nerve) that’s responsible for you feeling anything in your clitoris, labia, penis, & perineum, is also responsible for the pleasure you can feel in your anus. Butt plugs are designed to sit in this area comfortably & stimulate right where you want & need it.
  6. To massage the prostate aka the “male g-spot”. The prostate is incredibly sensitive, and orgasms from it’s stimulation often feel more intense. Butt plugs with a curve are designed to hit the spot, regardless of if you wear it on it’s own or during masturbation or partnered sex.

Read more: Anal Sex for Beginners – Safety, Tips, and More

To act our fantasies

Wearing a butt plug lets you…

  • Act out a double penetration fantasy with only one partner.
  • Sample the naughtiness of anal play. For many folks, backdoor exploration still feels taboo. Acting on this taboo can heighten your arousal & infuse your sexy time with even more, well, sexy. Butt plugs are a great beginner way to explore this.
  • Have a similar pleasure experience. The butt is the only thing that people of all genders have. Mentally, you may be intrigued knowing that your beau is experiencing something similar to you (or vice versa).

Read more: 6 Ways Fantasizing During Sex Increase Your Pleasure

To intensify your orgasm

  1. To experience multiple orgasms without an erection. That’s right: people with penises can experience multiple orgasms. The secret? Prostate stimulation…like you can get with a butt plug.
  2. To make your orgasm stronger. As your pelvic floor muscles contract during orgasm, the anal muscles squeeze around the plug. This makes your spasms feel stronger & more intense.

Read more: Do This for Your Best Orgasm

What to look for when choosing a butt plug

Butt plugs need to have a flared base

The most important feature of any butt toy is a flared base, also known as a phalange.

Unlike the vagina—which, thanks to the cervix, you can think of as a big U-turn—the anus is a one-way highway. It easily sucks toys into your GI tract, leading to a painful, possibly embarrassing, and potentially serious ER trip. Look for a phalange that’s wider than the widest part of the toy.

start small and work your way up

If you haven’t explored anal penetration before, start with fingers—yours or those of your partner(s). Alternatively, choose a toy that’s about the same size. Once that feels comfortable and pleasurable, work your way up!

The same rule applies if you have more experience with anal penetration. Stick to a plug that’s similar in size to what you usually use and slowly increase in length and/or girth.

Always choose a body safe material

It’s vital that your sex toys—butt plugs or otherwise—are made of body safe materials. These include silicone, stainless steel, hard plastic, glass, or wood. If you’re new to butt plugs, a softer material like silicone will likely be more comfortable.

Read more: Adult Toys 101: How to Choose and Care for Body-Safe Sex Toys

try different shapes for different sensations

As with all toys, there’s no single “best” shape. It depends on what you want in your plug. Here are some suggestions.

  • If you have a prostate—or are using it on a partner who does—look for a plug that’s curved to provide prostate stimulation.
  • If you plan on leaving the plug in for some time, look for one with a longer neck (the thinnest part between the phalange and the bulk of the plug).
  • Have a vulva and want to wear the plug during vaginal intercourse? Go for something straight.
  • Looking for something new & different? Try a butt plug with a series of grooves, almost like anal beads.

special features can make them more comfy

Some butt plugs have special features like weight or vibration. Both can help calm the anal muslces, makign anal penetration easier and more pleasurable. Some new plugs even stimulate rimming!

Read more: How to Give a Rim Job

Dark colours hide poo

Just starting to explore anal penetration? Generally squicked out by the potential poo factor? Stick to dark coloured toys. The colour hides any residue that sneaks by.

How to Use a Butt Plug

When it comes to using a butt plug, it’s quite simple. Lube up yourself and the plug, take a few deep breaths, and insert.

If you’re anxious, it can help to have an orgasm first! This will relax your muscles (and your anxiety!) on a physiological level, making it easier to insert.

Whatever you do, we do not recommend using any sort of numbing spray. Pain is your body’s way of telling you to slow the eff down or use something smaller.

If pain with anal penetration continues, seek out the care of an experienced pelvic floor physical therapist.

Best Butt Plugs

Now that you have the answers to how to and why people use butt plugs, here are ones we recommend trying.

Remember—there’s no one “best” toy that’ll rock everyone’s world! This list includes variety so that you can find what works for you. Everything on this list is made from body safe materials and high quality. Vibrating options come with a warranty. Gotta get the most bang for your buck—pun fully intended!

Pssst….we made all the links clickable so you can shop easily!

Nudge

Great for…first time butt plug users.

Nudge is our #1 recommendation if you want to try a butt plug for the first time. It’s small, made of soft silicone, and has a long & flexible neck. All of this makes it easy to insert and incredibly comfortable, even if you want to wear it for a while.

Ditto+

Great if…you’re newer to butt plugs but want something that vibrates.

Ditto is about the size of a finger, aka the perfect size as you move from hands to toys! Its’ also complete waterproof, has its got a variety of pre-set vibration patterns and strengths. Plus, with the We-Connect app you can create your own (and play from a distance).

Njoy Pure Plugs

Great…all around, and especially if you want a plug you can wear all day.

A favorite of sex educators & bloggers. You can choose from 3 different sizes, making it perfect no matter what your experience with anal penetration. These are curved to give prostate stimulation. And the stainless steel has a lot of perks: the weight helps relax your anal muscles and make you feel more full. Plus you can explore with some temperature play. Lastly, that handle make inserting & removing oh-so-easy.

Helix Syn

Great for… direct + intense prostate stimulation

The Helix is the go-to for folks with prostates! It’s size & shape make it great for beginners while its texture and curve make it revered by experienced butt plug users too.

Sexpert tip: when inserted, squeeze and relax your PC muscles for hands-free and delicious prostate stimulation.

Vibrating Rimming Anal Plug

Great if…you have experience with anal toys and want something totally different.

This plug made waves when it first came out because it simulates rimming! The neck has rotating beads to create a sense of fullness and enhance your pleasure. Keep in mind that this plug is quite large and not recommended for beginners.

Vector+

Great if…you want to stimulate the prostate and perineum simultaneously

Enjoy dual vibrations along your prostate and perineum for more complex pleasure. Vector is also adjustable to fit your unique body, giving virations right where you want them.

Anal Training Set

Great if…you want the whole shebang!

All-in-one kit comes with everything you need to enjoy the delights of anal play! You get 3 body-safe silicone butt plugs, an anal douche, a lubricant applicator, and a detailed guide to anal play.

Why do people use butt plugs?

Because they’re pretty fricking awesome and, as always there’s something out there for everyone, no matter your preferences & desires.

Want to talk to your partner(s) about bringing toys into the bedroom but don’t know where to start?

THE PbK Guide is a practical guide to get exactly what you want, in the bedroom–and out.

0,The PbK Guide to Getting the Sex You Want: How to Talk About Sex for More Pleasure, Connection, and Confidence

Disclaimer: This page contains affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission if you purchase through us. It doesn’t cost you extra. We only work with and recommend products that align with our values! Thank you for supporting freedom in pleasure!

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