Butt Plugs 101: The Ins (and Outs) of Anal Toys

Interested in anal plugs? Perhaps you’ve got a few questions you want answered before you give anal exploration a crack. Whether you’re wondering what a butt plug does, how to insert an anal plug, or what to use to plug your ring, we’ve got all your burning booty questions covered.

Your anoos is packed to the rim (literally) with sensitive nerve endings that can feel absolutely sensational when stimulated. But how exactly are you meant to fondle your freckle? Willies and fingers can be super fun of course, but there’s a whole other world of fantastical toys that are specially designed to pleasure your patootie.

This is where the trusty butt plug comes in. Available in a range of different shapes, sizes and materials, a good old-fashioned butt plug makes for a perfect playmate for your posterior if you’re planning on a little bumfunnery. And under the right circumstances, using a butt plug can help you to achieve more intense orgasms and even a full-body gland finale. So without further ado, let’s get into the ins and outs of booty plugs.

What does a Butt Plug do?

There’s a whole bunch of reasons why people use anal plugs. Butt plugs are designed to stimulate all those glorious nerve endings in your rump as well as provide a ‘fuller’ feeling during vaginal penetration.

Depending on the material of the butt plug, it’ll offer different sensations. Here’s a quick breakdown of what different butt plug materials offer in terms of weight and feeling.

How to insert a Butt Plug

Whether you go for a water-, silicone- or oil-based anal lube, just make sure it’s compatible with the material of your plug.

Once you’ve slathered on the slippery stuff, it’s time to get yourself into a comfortable possie that allows for easy hind access. If you’re in need of a bit of inspo, we’ve got all the best anal positions in one handy place, or you can take a look at our dedicated sex positions page that’s updated regularly by the experts.

When it comes to actually inserting the plug, take it slowly and gently, especially if this is your first foray into bum fun. Sometimes it can help to take a nice, deep breath in. On the exhale, relax your muscles and slowly press the tip of the plug into your ring. As the plug works its way inside of you, it’ll pass through the sensitive external muscle. You might find it a little ticklish, but if it’s not causing any pain then keep on pushing through. As you go deeper, the plug will reach the internal muscle. Remember to take your time here. A bit of discomfort is completely normal, but if you experience any pain whatsoever, then stop immediately.

Once your plug is firmly in place, you should feel an incredible sense of fullness - and even a bit of weight, depending on the material. If you’re a penis owner, you might even feel the plug pushing against your prostate or P-spot. From here you can gently squeeze and relax your muscles for a delicious internal massage, or you might even want to try rubbing one out to see if you can chase that elusive blended O.

If you happen to pop your cookies while you’ve got the plug inserted, your booty muscles would have contracted, so make sure to give them a quick moment to relax again before attempting to remove the plug. Once you’re ready to pop it out, relax your bod and gently pull on the base to remove it.

Lovehoney has a whole stack of beginner friendly anal toys and slimline butt plugs that are perfect for first-timers, so make sure you take it easy with a petite playmate for your peachy cheeks. Don’t be tempted to jump straight to the girthiest plug out there. If you’re keen to learn more about how to harness that beautiful booty bliss, you can read our guide on how to use a butt plug.

What can I use as a Butt Plug?

The sphincter is a surprisingly strong muscle that has a funny habit of sucking things up into the anoos. A booty toy with a flared base helps to keep them firmly in place for added peace of mind.

The tapered tip of the butt plugs lends itself to easy insertion, while the girthier bulb section is what provides that pleasurable ‘filled up’ sensation. The slim neck and flared base will help to keep that sucker in place while you get down to business.

Do Butt Plugs hurt?

Putting a plug up your peachy cheeks for the very first time isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. A little bit of discomfort is completely normal, but you should never feel any pain. If you’re finding that your anal play is hurting, then it’s your body’s way of telling you to stop. In this instance you might want to try adding a bit more lube, coming at it from a different angle, or even downsize your toy before progressing your play to something girthier.

How do I care for my Butt Plug?