Everything To Know About Butt Plugs - Medical News Today

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Medical News TodaySubscribeEverything to know about butt plugs

Medically reviewed by E. Mimi Arquilla, DO — Written by Anna Smith Haghighi — Updated on November 25, 2024

What are they?
Uses
Safety
Types
For beginners
How to use one
Cleaning and storage
Other considerations
FAQ
Summary

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. Learn more.

What is a butt plug?

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, which 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 help prevent people from losing them inside the rectum.

Butt plugs come in many varieties, including vibrating or remote-controlled models.

What do people use them for?

There are several reasons someone may want to use a butt plug, including the following.

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 the thin anal lining. This can make it easier for certain viruses and bacteria to enter the body.

A person always needs to 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 with 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 enhance 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 someone who wants to try anal sex.

Over time, the anus will become used to the size of the butt plug. Individuals 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.

Are they safe?

Yes, butt plugs are safe when people use them correctly. A person needs to use a butt plug that is a comfortable size and shape to limit the chance of pain or tearing.

People also need to 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 the hospital. According to a 2023 study, which examined 10 years of data from United States hospitals, vibrators and massage devices account for the most common objects that healthcare professionals remove from the anus.

What types are available?

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

Best butt plugs for beginners

A person using a butt plug for the first time needs to 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 no medical evidence confirms this.

Once a person is used to the sensation of having an object inside their anus, they can gradually increase the size.

How to use

A butt plug can stimulate the muscles that help a person poop, so some people prefer to empty their bowels beforehand to avoid any accidents. Others may choose to perform anal douching before using a butt plug, as it can make them feel cleaner and more at ease. This involves flushing out the rectum with saline to ensure no stool is present.

Before using a butt plug, a person needs to 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 also need to use water-based 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 someone experiences pain while inserting a butt plug, they need to take it out. Pain when inserting a butt plug can occur due to:

the butt plug is too big
the person has not used enough lubricant
the individual is not relaxed and is tensing their anal muscles
certain health issues, such as hemorrhoids

How to clean and store a butt plug

A person needs to clean sex toys after every use thoroughly. They can clean their butt plug using warm water and mild and unscented dish or hand soap. Some butt plugs consist of materials, such as silicone, that are safe for putting in the dishwasher.

However, butt plugs comprising other materials, such as silicone blends, jelly rubber, PVC, vinyl, TPR, TPE, elastomer, or other rubbery plastics, may be porous. This means they may absorb germs that can lead to infections, even if an individual always washes the toy.

After washing, an individual 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 ensure there are no lingering bacteria.

Other considerations

Other important things to be mindful of when using sex toys include the following:

Never share without cleaning: A person should never remove a butt plug from their anus and insert it into another individual’s anus. This can lead to the spread of Shigella, a germ in feces that can cause diarrhea and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
It is OK not to like it: Butt plugs are not for everyone. A person should not feel pressured to use one. Some people do not enjoy anal stimulation and have no obligation to try it.
Using a butt plug does not have to lead to other forms of anal play: Consenting to use a butt plug does not mean a person is consenting to other forms of anal play, including anal sex. A person always needs to talk openly with their partner or partners to make sure everyone feels safe and comfortable before engaging in any sex act.

Frequently asked questions

Can women use butt plugs?

It is a myth that only males use butt plugs. Females can also receive pleasure from using a butt plug.

Research from 2022 found that 17.4% of women 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.

Can heterosexual males use butt plugs?

It is a myth that only homosexual males use butt plugs. People of any gender and any sexuality can use butt plugs.

Using a butt plug does not indicate anything about a person’s sexual orientation.

Who should not use a butt plug?

People with hemorrhoids, anal fissures, or prostate conditions need to talk with their doctor before using a butt plug, as it may worsen their condition.

Summary

Butt plugs are sex toys people insert into the anus. Unlike dildos, butt plugs do not move. They can create a feeling of fullness inside the anus.

A person may use a butt plug for various reasons, including sexual pleasure or preparation for anal sex. People of any gender and sexuality may use butt plugs.

A person who wants to try a butt plug should start with a small one and gradually increase the size as they require, using plenty of lubricant before insertion. They also need to ensure they clean their butt plug thoroughly before and after use and never share a butt plug with another person without cleaning it first.

Men's Health
Prostate / Prostate Cancer
Sexual Health / STDs
Women's Health / Gynecology
LGBTQIA+

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Dickstein DR, et al. (2023). Sexual health and treatment-related sexual dysfunction in sexual and gender minorities with prostate cancer.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10389287/
Do you have to use an enema or anal douche before you have anal sex? (2023).https://www.plannedparenthood.org/blog/do-you-have-to-use-an-enema-or-anal-douche-before-you-have-anal-sex
Hensel DJ, et al. (2022). Women’s techniques for pleasure from anal touch: Results from a U.S. probability sample of women ages 18–93.https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0268785
Preventing shigella infection among sexually active people. (2024).https://www.cdc.gov/shigella/prevention/preventing-shigella-infection-among-sexually-active-people.html
Sex activities and risk. (2022).https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/sex-activities-and-risk/
Sex toys. (n.d.).https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/sex-pleasure-and-sexual-dysfunction/sex-and-pleasure/sex-toys
Sheets NW, et al. (2023). Rectal foreign bodies: A 10-year review of the national electronic injury surveillance system.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10404145/
Your safer sex toolbox. (n.d.).https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/safer-sex-toolbox/

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Medically reviewed by E. Mimi Arquilla, DO — Written by Anna Smith Haghighi — Updated on November 25, 2024

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