Butt Plugs 101: What They Are & How They Work

One question I hear a lot from Love Curi readers is simply “What is a butt plug?” You’ve likely spotted one if you’ve ever browsed a sex shop in person or online. Unlike a dildo or vibrator, which are designed to move in and out, a butt plug has one job: create a sense of fullness. It stays put once inserted, freeing you up to do other things — sexual or otherwise.

You can spot a butt plug instantly by its shape. It features a tapered tip that widens into a bulb, narrows again into a neck, and ends in a wide base. That initial taper eases insertion, while the narrow neck keeps the plug from slipping fully inside you. Only toys with a flared base or handle are safe for anal use — inserting anything without that feature risks an embarrassing emergency room visit.

Everything you need to know about anal safety is in this post.

Designs vary quite a bit. Some plugs are more angular than round, and bases might be circular, rectangular, or shaped like a loop for easy grip. Certain plugs add extra bumps near the neck for added sensation during insertion and removal.

A proper base is what makes plugs safe to use for anal masturbation. More about that.

Who Are Butt Plugs For?

Butt plugs aren’t designed with one gender in mind — they work great for men and women alike (curious why guys enjoy anal play?). A male partner might love a plug because, positioned right, it stimulates his prostate — but you don’t need a prostate to enjoy the fullness a plug provides. Some people even love the sensation of double penetration, with a plug in the anus and a penis in the vagina simultaneously.

Did you know some people can experience anal orgasms?

Certain plugs, including models from Aneros, are built specifically to target the prostate (which only men have) through the anal wall and perineum — the tissue between the anus and testicles in men, or between the anus and vagina in women.

Read more tips for prostate massage.

Plenty of people use butt plugs to prepare their bodies for anal sex (check out our anal sex prep guide and these tips for keeping anal sex enjoyable). A plug can help you relax and stretch beforehand if that’s your goal. It can also enhance vaginal sex — wearing one while your partner thrusts can create pressure your partner feels through the vaginal wall too. Some plugs vibrate for extra pleasure, which benefits both partners at once.

Some people are drawn to plugs simply because of the taboo factor — the idea that you could wear one discreetly under your clothes all day without anyone knowing adds its own thrill. This has made plugs popular within certain power-exchange dynamics, where a dominant partner might require the submissive to wear one for extended periods (tips on taking a dominant role). Of course, you don’t need anyone telling you to keep it in — plenty of people enjoy wearing one to the grocery store purely for their own amusement.

A plug comfortable enough for hours of daily wear isn’t necessarily the same one you’d choose for a quick session. Plugs with slimmer necks tend to be more comfortable long-term. Just like sizing up gradually, test any plug for shorter stretches before committing to extended wear.

Curious about exploring something new? Rimming your partner is another option worth trying, or you might enjoy receiving one yourself. Learn more about rim jobs.

Are Butt Plugs Actually Safe?

Before diving in, it’s natural to wonder about safety. Generally, yes, they’re safe — with a few precautions in mind.

1. Pick a plug with a slim neck and a noticeably wider base. If the neck and base are too similar in width, the whole thing can slip inside you, making removal difficult.
2. Choose body-safe, nonporous materials — this also simplifies cleaning. More on material options below.
3. Steer clear of glass plugs with looped or ringed handles, since those rings are especially prone to breaking.

If anal safety is a concern for you, it’s worth reading about anal sex during pregnancy and the odds of getting pregnant from anal sex.

What Materials Are Butt Plugs Made From?

You’ll find butt plugs made from a range of materials, including:

• Stainless steel
• Silicone
• Glass
• Ceramic
• Wood

Glass plugs stand out for their variety of colors and finishes, letting you show off some personality — some even feature colored gems embedded in the stem, a style plenty of other brands have copied since. You’ll also find plugs with faux-fur tails attached for a bit of fantasy roleplay.

All of these materials can be made nonporous, meaning you can sterilize them safely by boiling or wiping down with bleach. You’ll also come across plugs made from jelly, PVC, TPR, or silicone blends — these are porous, with tiny pores that can trap bacteria. Beyond potential irritation, toys made from these materials should never be shared or moved between different body openings.

Rigid materials won’t replicate the sensation of rimming if that’s what you’re after (learn about analingus here).

The same material guidelines apply when picking out anal beads (more on anal beads) or dildos for pegging, which also require a harness. More on that.

Related: What Is Pegging?

How Do You Actually Use a Butt Plug?

The same logic applies here as with most anal play — start small. Your first plug should be smooth, without ridges or texture, and you can experiment with textured options down the line. You may find it works better to lubricate your anus rather than the plug itself — lubing only the plug can make it too slick to control during insertion. Go slowly, and lying down may feel more comfortable than sitting or standing while you adjust to the sensation.

Some of these anal sex positions could work nicely here too.

A butt plug shouldn’t cause pain. If it does, check out what to do if anal play hurts.

Starting with a finger or two can help you ease in first. Here’s a guide to anal fingering.

If you’re new to plugs or working up to a bigger size, you might only tolerate it for a few minutes at first. That’s fine — you can gradually build up to wearing one comfortably for up to six hours. Just take it out the moment it starts to feel irritating.

What’s a Butt Plug Set?

Since the appeal of butt plugs often comes down to that sense of fullness, it’s common to want to size up over time. Plenty of sets are designed with exactly that progression in mind. Once a smaller plug feels comfortable, you can graduate to something larger.

These graduated sets are often used for anal training. Learn more in this introduction to anal training.

Just make sure you’ve got plenty of lube on hand before attempting this.

Lube matters even more for anal play than other kinds of penetration, since the anus doesn’t self-lubricate. Keep a bottle nearby — one with a pump dispenser is especially convenient. Thicker lube helps ease insertion, while silicone-based lube lasts much longer than water-based options, which can get sticky as they dry. Just avoid pairing silicone lube with silicone toys, since the combination can cause a chemical reaction that damages your plug.

Learn more in our guide to lube.

Whether you enjoy a plug occasionally during sex, love the fullness it adds to solo play, or your partner gets a thrill knowing you wore one all day while he was at work, there are plenty of reasons to explore plug play. If you’re just starting out, patience and generous lube will make the whole experience far more comfortable and enjoyable.

November 29, 2020