What is a Butt Plug and Why Do People Use Them?

A butt plug is a sex toy for anal use. They come in all different shapes and sizes and a pleasurable array of materials including silicone, metal, glass and rubber. But why use a butt plug? People use them for different reasons. Some people just love the feeling of anal exploration and that satisfying ‘pop’ as the plug slots perfectly into place, for others it’s the taboo nature of anal play, and for some, it’s all about anal training and getting ready to take their backdoor game to the next level.

Butt plugs really are worth a try if you’re open to some backdoor play.

These kinky sex toys can send your satisfaction levels skyrocketing. Whether you’re paired up or getting off solo, insert and let the intense, back-bending orgasms begin.

Intrigued? Of course you are.

Even if you are up for giving butt plugs a go, breaking into unknown territory can be a little daunting – but we’re here to help.

From picking out the perfect butt plug and lube to explaining how to use a butt plug safely, we’ve got every aspect of these amazing little toys covered.

What does a butt plug do?

Well, other than the fact anal fun has always been taboo, which immediately makes it something to tick off your sex list, that whole area is jam-packed with nerve endings just waiting to be teased and touched.

Butt plugs are less about titillation and more about stimulation.

The thrill of popping one of these in is the feeling of fullness they bring. And because everyone has a hole, anyone can use a butt plug. These anal sex toys offer pleasure for everyone – whether you’re pleasing yourself or being pleasured...

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What does a butt plug feel like for a woman?

Slipping a butt plug in for solo or couples play feels amazing, once you’re used to the salacious sensations they bring. The push on the perineum makes your vagina feel tighter (and if you’re having penetrative sex with a male partner, he’ll really notice the difference), while the sensations during orgasm are intense as you contract around the bulbous butt plug sitting tight until you’ve finished. Women can even experience the thrill and taboo of double penetration using a butt plug.

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What does a butt plug feel like for a man?

We’ve all heard of the prostate, right? Well, butt plugs can hold the key to discovering this magical place. The prostate is packed with nerve endings, and when the butt plug reaches the pleasure point, it feels amazing. It sits just a couple of inches up the back passage and, when reached by a butt plug, can throw his body into spasms. Known as the P-Spot, discover it with butt plug insertion and make his orgasms much more intense. Find out more about the male G-spot in our blog – The Ultimate Guide to Prostate Massage

How do I choose the right size butt plug?

Right, so you’re ready for some butt plug fun, but now what? With so many shapes and sizes to choose from, how do you even know where to start? Luckily, we’re here to help! The trick with anal play and using butt plugs is to always start small and work up. It can be a little uncomfortable at first if you’re not used to this type of penetration and that’ll only be made worse if you buy something that’s too big.

The collection of Ann Summers butt plugs includes everything from small silicone plugs to vibrating butt plugs and even anal training kits to start you off on your anal adventure. You can filter by size, allowing you to start as small or as big as you like, aren’t we good to you?

Once you’re feeling confident with butt plug sex and play, you can graduate on to different shapes and sizes.

How to Use a Butt Plug

Using a butt plug is relatively simple, but there are a few golden rules to follow.

Don’t forget your anal lubricant

If you’ve read any of our other guides, such as our Anal Sex Guide, you’ll know that there’s one thing we always insist on and that’s lube lube lube!

Unlike vaginal sex, our back door doesn’t naturally lube up ready for action. The golden rule for any kind of anal play is lube and plenty of it.

We offer a range of silicone and water-based lubricants designed especially for anal, which are extra thick and long lasting to make play comfortable and pleasurable.

But before you grab your lube and get started it on there’s a few things you should know. While silicone lube is great as it doesn’t dry out and lets you go for longer, it can cause damage to silicone, latex or rubber plugs. So, we’d definitely recommend sticking to water-based lubes if you’re playing with a toy.

How to insert a butt plug

Now to the technical part. Well, it’s not too technical really. In fact, you should find it relatively simple if you follow these five basic steps.

1. Be open

As with any anal play, make sure you’ve had a chat about what you’re going to do first. No one wants a surprise visitor up there, no matter how good it feels! Only once all consenting parties are in agreement are you ready to begin.

Your body will be much more obliging if you’re you’ve engaged in some foreplay and are feeling nice and relaxed. Once you’re feeling nicely turned on, you’ll be ready to get going.

2. Lube up

We might sound like a broken record here, but this really is super important if you want to experience the full benefits of a butt plug. Now’s the time to apply plenty of it to the recipient.

3. Get in Position

The best positions for slipping it in are all fours, on your side (like being the little spoon), lying on your back with a pillow on your hips or flipped over on your front with a pillow underneath. Make sure you’re nice and comfortable, as this will make a big difference in keeping you relaxed and ready for penetration.

4. Take It Slow

Don’t forget to breathe. As an anal first timer, it will feel odd at first, so just ease it in slowly. If you feel pain or discomfort, stop, relax and try again. Once it’s fully in, just relax into it and enjoy the intense sensations.

5. Know Your Limits

Butt plugs can feel so good you might not want to take them out. But, as with any sex toy, don’t get too carried away.

How long can you wear a butt plug for?

In the beginning, you’ll probably only be able to handle a few minutes, however, as you get more experienced and used to the sensations, you’ll probably want to extend the pleasure. Start with 10 minutes first, then 20, then 30, up to as long as you can take… within reason. We recommend you don’t leave it in for any more than 2 to 3 hours without giving yourself a break.

Should I use a butt plug?

Only if you want to. Don’t let anyone pressure you into trying something you’re not totally on board with. Exploring anal with a partner is quite a big step and it takes total trust. If you’re wondering whether to try it solo to enhance self-love then it gets a big thumbs up from us, but doing this with a lover is a whole new ball game.

You should ensure you have total trust in them. You need to feel comfortable that they will listen and react to your cues. Anal action is about as intimate as it gets. So, after your first butt plug encounter with a partner, talk about how it felt, what you did (and didn’t) like and whether it’s something you want to try again.

Are butt plugs safe?

Provided you buy from a reputable retailer (such as yours truly) then you have nothing to worry about. Some people look for ways to make your own butt plug, but honestly, it’s not worth risking your heath (or a red-faced visit to A&E) to save a few quid. Invest a little cash in your posterior pleasure, it’s well worth it.

How do you clean a butt plug?

On a practical note, you should always consider hygiene when engaging in anal play, so give your plug a good clean after you’ve taken it out. We have a range of handy sex toy wipes and sprays for use during and post. Plus, you should also wash and disinfect them regularly to keep them clean.

So, there it is. Butt plugs, explained.

Now you’ve learned all you need to know about these fun little toys, it’s time to buy, insert and let the butt play begin!