HOW TO CHOOSE A BUTT PLUG

Dana (@danathehardway) is the lead copywriter for Lovers. She is passionate about writing, allyship, sex-positivity, and telling good jokes.

SHOP BEST SELLING BUTT PLUGS:

• Glass Rosebud Anal Plug 
• Playboy Pleasure Tail Trainer
• Vedo Bump Vibrating Plug
• Playboy Pleasure Spinning Tail Pleaser

Well hey there, sex-positive, anal-curious reader! Thanks for finding, clicking and reading at least the first sentence of this semi-satirical but ultimately factual blog post on butt plugs. Whether this is your first foray into sex toys altogether, or just a casual search for more information, we are glad you’re here and hope to aid you in your quest for knowledge around this gem of anal play.

QUICK LINKS:

1. What Are Butt Plugs?
2. How Do You Use a Butt Plug?
3. Safety Tips for Using Butt Plugs
4. How to Choose the Right Butt Plug

What Are Butt Plugs?

As you can probably guess, it’s a sexy stopper for your bum hole. (That’s the satirical part, factual is coming up next.) The proper definition is- “A butt plug is a sex toy designed to be inserted into the rectum for sexual pleasure. It differentiates itself from the standard dildo by also having a flared base or stopper at the bottom of the sex toy, to prevent it from getting dislodged or lost in the anus.” This is a very important distinction so pay attention to that last part and take it to heart. The nurses in the emergency room will make fun of you, if you show up with something stuck in your ass that you probably should have known better than to put up there. Anal play is sexy as hell AND should be taken seriously. Even if this blog post makes a fair amount of butt jokes. 

How Do You Use a Butt Plug?

Butt plugs go into your anus and stimulate a variety of erogenous zones depending on the body it goes in. Butt plugs are one of the most universal sex toys! They are for everyone! Stimulation areas can include the prostate (if you’ve got one of those) or the back wall of the vaginal canal (if you have one of those), along with the many nerves ending of the anus (sure hope you have one of those).

Butt Plug Safety Considerations

1. Use a *Real* Butt Plug
   The safest way to explore anal play is to use sex toys specifically designed for that purpose. Remember to look for the flared base. Remember what I said about the nurses.
   
   

2. NEVER Go from Anal to Vaginal Play
   The vagina does not play well with the rectum and doing so can lead to an imbalance in vaginal pH or infection.
   
   

3. LUBE LUBE LUBE
   The anus doesn’t self-lubricate like the vagina does so be sure to apply a generous amount of lube and re-apply as needed. Choosing the right lube is important too. Thicker lubes and jelles are great for anal play and considering the material of the sex toys you’re using will help dictate whether you should use water or silicone based lubricant.
   
   

4. Anal Should Never Be Painful
   Mild discomfort during anal training (getting used to something going in your butt instead of coming out) is normal but it should never cross the line to pain. We strongly suggest avoiding numbing creams and desensitizers. They will not give you the opportunity to discover what you find most pleasurable about anal, and they can prevent you from recognizing when a tear or fissure has been made in the skin.
   
   

How to Choose a Butt Plug

So here we are, you’ve made it this far, and now it’s time for the tips on how to pick the right butt plug for you! 

Material

Butt plugs come in a variety of materials... nickel-free stainless steel, glass, silicone, jelly, even wood (weird, but ok), and tend to be softer and more flexible as you go down that list (except wood, obviously).

Glass Rosebud Anal Plug ($34)

Softer plugs are usually recommended for beginners because they have a good combination of flexibility and firmness. This means they are still easy to insert and feel good, but are more comfortable and accommodating to bodies still adjusting to anal stretching and fullness. A non-porous material is preferable for hygiene, and especially if the plug might be shared.

A few of our faves at Lovers include the Stainless Steel Plug, the Playboy Pleasure Tux, and the Gender X Rockin' Vibrating Metal Plug.

Size

Getting used to wearing a butt plug takes a little time, so the rule for size is slow and steady wins the race. One option for where to begin is to try finger play, then buy a plug that is relative to the size that you enjoy when using fingers (always use lube). If the plug you’re considering seems absurdly small, that’s ok, your new-to-this-kind-of-thing anus won’t think so. 

Fit

How long ya gonna wear it? Some people enjoy the feeling of wearing a plug when not directly engaged in sexual activity. Again, this probably isn’t something you can do right out of the gate when you start exploring the stimulating world of butt plugs, but over time you can work up to wearing a plug for longer and longer periods.

Vedo Bump Vibrating Plug ($49)

It is not recommended to wear a plug longer than about 3 hours, but everyone’s tolerance is different. (We vote for giving your booty a break though.) When considering longer-wear, choose a plug designed for the occasion. A more flexible plug is good for wearing as it works with your movements, while a plug with more rigidity is good for stationary play and prostate play. Butt plugs can slip out, so to help avoid such an incident, a pair of tight underwear or a harness can help.

Shop Long Wear Butt Plugs

Special Features

Butt plugs can also be even more exciting than just their insertable nature. Many plugs come with vibrating features like the We-Vibe Ditto. Others are designed to have external stimulation pads (some of which also vibrate) that sit against the perineum and add to the pleasure.

Playboy Pleasure Spinning Tail Pleaser, ($84)

Still other designs exist to be used for double penetration or have thrusting features (like the Lovers Joy Stick Thruster and the Strap On Me). There are even adorable plugs colored for Pride, with gemstones on the ends, or with fluffy tails to add a layer of fantasy and playfulness. 

How to Clean Your Butt Plug

Always clean your butt plug after use with toy cleaner and warm water. Steel and glass plugs offer the easiest clean up. Silicone requires a good scrub but is otherwise safe for use. Jelly should be washed carefully before and after use. Dispose of your jelly plug when it begins changing color, texture, and scent.