Butt Plug 101: A Complete Guide to Anal Plugs

A butt plug (also known as an anal plug) is a great way to add some backdoor pleasure to your bedroom fun. Learn why this anal play product is becoming everyone's favorite sex toy.

What is a butt plug?

Unlike dildos, which are designed to slide in and out, butt plugs are shaped to be inserted and left in place. How, you might ask? The wide bulb of the butt plug slides past the internal anal muscle, while your body holds onto the neck.

Butt plugs come in various shapes and sizes, but generally, they all follow a similar pattern; A teardrop shape or “bulb”,  a “neck”, and a flared base. Most plugs are round and narrow at the tip of the bulb, while gradually progressing in size until it reaches its widest point.

Below the widest point, the plug begins to narrow and is then followed by the "neck" which is the slimmest point and also where the anal sphincter will hug the plug after full insertion. The base of the plug is generally either round (similar to the base of a dildo) or a narrow flared base.

What does a butt plug do?

Flared based sex toys like butt plugs create a "feeling of fullness" or pressure, without the back and forth motion that dildos offer. Not only that, but when the pelvic muscles contract during orgasm, a butt plug can intensify the sensation by giving your body something to squeeze against.

If you have a prostate, butt plugs can stimulate it, and if you have a vagina, a butt can create incredibly pleasurable pressure on the back vaginal wall.

...and let's not forget that the entry to the anus is filled with sensation enhancing nerve endings.

What are the benefits of using a butt plug?

There's a common misconception that a butt plug is solely used as a tool to prepare for anal sex. However, butt plugs are an amazing sex toy because they allow you to focus on other pleasure centers, while they simply stay in. In fact, a comfortably positioned butt plug should not be pushed in or pulled out until plug play is over.

Butt plugs leave both partners' hands and attention free to roam elsewhere. For instance, wearing a butt plug is a fantastic way of enhancing the experience while giving and receiving oral sex or while enjoying a sensual massage. Butt plugs can be combined with all kinds of genital play, including vaginal intercourse.

Butt plug safety

Before you begin, read this: Since a butt plug is designed to be enjoyed hands-free, they should always have a flared base.

Otherwise, there's a significant risk of the product slipping too far into the anal canal and traveling up the colon – which may cause serious bodily harm. A flared base prevents the toy from being inserted entirely and makes retrieval not only easy but possible.

How to use a butt plug

When it comes to using a butt plug or indulging in any kind of anal play, lube is absolutely essential. Since a butt plug can stay in the body for long periods of time, you should always apply enough lubricant to ensure the easy and pleasurable removal of the plug. Our motto is “Slow and Slippery”.

Not sure what lube to use? b-Vibe Founder Alicia Sinclair reveals the best anal lube for different types of anal play.

If you’re having difficulty getting your butt plug inside, warm up with a finger or two first and use lots of lube. Help your body open up before you try using an anal sex toy.

When you’re ready, try inserting the butt plug until the widest point is at the external muscle. Then, slowly angle the toy downward about 45 degrees, so that one side of the bulb slides inside the anus. Keep the toy at that depth and then gently angle the toy upward about 45 degrees. Go back and forth like that a few times, gently going a bit further in with each change in direction.

The process of inserting a butt plug is similar to the way you can get a tight pair of jeans on by shimmying your hips side to side, but a lot slower. Once the bulb is past the internal anal muscle, the toy should slip into place.

If you have any pain or discomfort during insertion, don’t force it. That will only cause your body to tighten up more. Controlling your breathing and learning to relax will help your body open up.

The golden rule of enjoying a butt plug

Wearing a butt plug during sex or masturbation can take a little getting used to. It might feel amazing in one position and seem less comfortable in another one because different muscles are working. Everyone is a little different. Experiment to find the angle or position that feels best to you.

Remember - if the butt plug doesn’t feel quite right, change it up. Try a different angle of your hips or move in a different way.

What is a vibrating butt plug?

Vibrating butt plugs like the Novice Plug or the Rimming Plug 2 can add some wonderful sensations during sex.

Some women like to wear them during intercourse so their partner can feel the vibration on their penis. Lots of men say that the butt plugs feel amazing on the prostate, especially during intercourse since the toy will massage that sensitive spot with every thrust.

You can also wear butt plugs at work, during a romantic dinner date or a walk in the park. Some people like it because it feels extra naughty, especially when they hand their partner the remote control.

If you’re wearing a butt plug out in public, be sure to bring a plastic bag along in case you need to duck into a bathroom and take it out. You’ll want somewhere to put it other than directly into your pocket or purse.

How to remove a butt plug

'Help! I can't take out my anal plug.' — Some people report that they tighten down, especially after they orgasm, which can make it tricky to take an anal plug out. Fortunately, there are some tips to help you take out your butt plug with ease.

Be gentle on the withdrawal, just like on the insertion. Hold the flared base in one hand and gently tug on it until you feel your body resisting. Keep that pressure and take a slow, deep breath. As you exhale, bear down in the same motion as when you go to the bathroom. If the butt plug slides out, great! If not, try it again, but as you bear down, gently angle it down 45 degrees, just like you did when you inserted it. As one side of the bulb comes out, angle it up 45 degrees.

When the bulb comes out, it’s easy to withdraw the rest of the toy quickly, but try to resist that temptation. Take it nice and slow so you can be gentle on your body. Even folks who are anal play regulars often report that going slow when they take their toys out works a lot better.

Enjoyed this butt plug article? Check out our most popular guides on analingus and how to prep for anal.