Your First Anal Plug: A Step-by-Step Guide to Comfort and Pleasure
Curious about anal play? At pjur, we believe that it's anything but taboo; it's just another way to explore pleasure. There are endless kinds of booty-related fun to be had, but what exactly is an anal plug, and how do you use one properly? Before using a butt plug, the first step is to be aware that it's absolutely essential to use a lubricant. But which one? Meet pjur: trusted lube for anal beginners. The anus doesn't naturally lubricate, so it's vital to lube up before inserting fingers, a plug, or anything else. If you're new to butt play, here's what to know before using an anal plug to ensure comfort, safety, and pleasure. Read our beginner anal plug guide to learn more.
What exactly is an anal plug?
We've also already discussed the best positions for anal intercourse, but now we're going to dive into toys that can spice up your sex life during solo and partnered fun. First things first: What is an anal plug, and how do you use it? A butt plug is a sex toy that is specifically designed for anal penetration and is generally designed to 'plug' or be left in the anus for a period of time. It can be used alone or with a partner.
Unlike vibrators designed for vaginal use, toys made for anal usage have a unique flared base and a cone shape which makes insertion easier. Not only does this shape specifically stimulate the nerve endings in the anus, but it makes a toy appropriate and safe for anal use. There are also round anal plugs, but these are not recommended, especially for inexperienced people or beginners who have not experimented with cone-shaped toys.
Plugs can come in a variety of materials, including silicone, plastic, jelly, metal, or glass. Glass and metal are ideal options for those looking to infuse a bit of temperature play into their anal adventures, and they're also very easy to clean. However, silicone anal plugs are often the best anal plugs for beginners because they're more pliable and flexible so you can gradually explore anal pleasure. But is it safe to use anal plugs with silicone lube? You should only use water-based lubes with silicone plugs, but for other materials, you can use any type. Selecting a long-lasting water-based lube is key to exploring comfortably, and we'll review the best pjur anal lubes for long-lasting comfort.
Anal plug safety tips first time anal plug use
Using any other product than a plug with a flared base can be dangerous and can lead to a trip to the ER. Butt plugs are thin at the shaft but widen again towards the end so that they don't move past the tight ring of muscle and get lost in the intestines. A flared base acts like a stopper or a barrier. It prevents a plug from being pushed in too far into the anus and getting sucked up or, at the very least, causing discomfort and making it difficult to remove. Unless a toy has a flared base and is specifically designed for anal use, don't insert it into the anus.
So, what size anal plug should beginners start with? If you're just starting out, start with a smaller-sized plug before moving on to a bigger one if you desire a fuller sensation. There are also vibrating plugs for added sensation, but if you're new to this kind of toy, you might want to keep things simple and opt for a non-vibrating plug at first.
When used correctly, a butt plug can provide exceptional orgasms for people of all genders and anatomies - you just have to know how to use anal plugs correctly. Here are our top tips for making the most of your playtime.
How to use an anal plug correctly
For those asking, 'How do I know if I'm using an anal plug correctly'? read the following tips for further guidance.
Tips to prepare for using a plug
From a hygiene and comfort perspective, you'll first want to ensure you have empty bowels when you first play with your plug. A butt plug can stimulate the pudendal nerve. While this stimulation feels pleasurable, these are the same muscles you use to relieve yourself. In the hours beforehand, eat foods that won't upset your stomach or lead to irritation, like spicy foods. You can also improve your experience by eating a healthy fiber diet before play, and going to the bathroom 30 minutes to an hour before you plan to use the plug. And remember, you don't have to be completely "clean" before exploring, when doing butt stuff there might be a little mess - and that's ok!
Relax your body and mind
Learning how to relax before using an anal plug can make the experience smoother. The first step of knowing how to safely insert an anal plug starts with a few relaxation techniques to ensure that your body and mind are both at ease. Perhaps this means taking a warm and sensual shower or bath, practicing deep breathing, and stimulating another erogenous zone.
Choosing the right anal plug for beginners
Then, choose the right plug for your needs and experience level. If you're a newbie, opt for a butt plug with a slim, tapered tip and a flared base which will enable easy and safe insertion. The next step is lubing up.
What's the best anal lube to use with plugs?
Do you need lube for anal plugs? Yes, it's mandatory! Using pjur anal lube for plug use can bring you long-lasting comfort that helps optimize your experience (and your pleasure) and we have some of the best formulas designed specifically for this, like pjur ORIGINAL, which contains the brand's crowd-pleasing silicone formula for enhancing comfort during sexual activity.
However, pjur silicone-based anal lubricant options may not be ideal if you're using a silicone butt plug. Ultimately, can you use silicone lube with anal plugs? No one is stopping you, but using silicone lubricant on silicone sex toys can degrade your toys pretty quickly, making them sticky and tacky which might make them more prone to harboring bacteria. We suggest using a quality water-based lube for anal toys. The very versatile pjur analyse me! Moisturizing has a water-based formula that's long-lasting thanks to the addition of Hyaluron and can be used by everyone.
Start slowly and experiment
After you've picked the right lube, apply a liberal amount to the butt plug, anus, and perineum. Start first with a single finger to gradually stretch the ring of muscle at the opening of the anus, take your time and play around with the sensations, move your finger in and out, curl your finger to see what pleasurable spots you can reach. Gradually add another finger to stretch out the tissue slowly, adding lubricant as you go. You can add more fingers to safely and comfortably stretch to the size of your plug.
Once you feel comfortably stretched, add more lube to the plug and ease in the tip of the plug gently. Don't force it in. Take breaks and pause if you need to. If you're wondering, 'Should anal plugs hurt?' the answer is a resounding 'no'. There might be some new sensations, a sense of fullness or stretch, but if you are feeling any pain or discomfort, that's an indicator that you should pause and slowly take it out. Add more lube or use your fingers to do more stretching before trying again. On the other hand, if the plug easily slips out, you might be ready for a larger size. Once it's inserted to the flared base and you are sure that the base is wide enough not to get pulled in, you can lie down, walk around, or stimulate other erogenous zones. Experiment with what feels good.
What are the best positions to use an anal plug?
Using a plug isn't always as straightforward as using a vibrator, so if you're curious about what positions to try that will enhance comfort and pleasure during insertion, we've got some tips for first-time anal plug use. Of course, the possibilities will vary on whether you're using a plug with a partner or by yourself during masturbation.
During partnered play, you can kneel on all fours, doggy-style, which will allow your partner to insert the plug. However, for this position, it's vital to go slow and communicate every step of the way since they might not know what will feel good or painful. They may insert it too deep or too quickly. For this reason, it might be better to explore positions where you can insert the plug yourself and control the sensation more precisely, such as:
On your back, knees bent
Lie on your back and place a pillow under your bottom to make insertion easier. Next, spread your legs, and you can insert the anal plug yourself. In this position, you can use both hands and stimulate your vulva or penis once the plug is in. It will also promote deeper breathing.
Squatting
Squat low with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Lower yourself onto the plug. If this is uncomfortable, you can also squat over a chair or stool. This opens up the pelvic floor, and you can support yourself using a wall or surface for added stability. If you choose this method be careful not to sit down fully too suddenly as it might cause pain, discomfort or even tearing, we recommend having something to hold onto (like the back of a stable chair) to lower yourself down). Remember, you can always add more lube!
Lie on your side
If you have lower back sensitivity and squatting isn't an option, you can lie on your side in the fetal position with knees pulled slightly towards the chest.
Bent over (standing or kneeling)
Whether you're masturbating or having fun with a partner, you can assume a bent-over position, standing or kneeling. Bend at the hips and lean forward for support on a countertop, chair, or bed, using one hand for balance and the other to insert. You can also kneel on a bed or yoga mat and lean forward, resting the upper body on a stack of pillows.
Once you have explored these different styles, you'll come to realize which one is best for you. If you've never tried it before, the sensation can be quite intense, so go at your own pace and ease into it. As the saying goes, practice makes perfect!
How do you plan to use your butt plug?
Prepping for safe anal penetration
People using anal toys often have different goals. Perhaps they're using it to train and relax the anus penetration. Plugs can dilate the anal sphincters to get the skin and muscles prepped for penetration. If this is the case, once the plug is inserted, your job is done. You may want to 'train' your muscles using anal dilators or anal training sets that contain multiple plugs with different sizes so you can work your way up. If you have a vulva and enjoy the feeling or fullness or want to try something a little daring, you can use these plugs to explore DP or double penetration with either a penis or a dildo.
How long can you wear an anal plug safely?
Some people like to wear a plug for an extended time to stimulate the prostate or just to enjoy that feeling of fullness. If you're using it as a form of prep, it's also possible to wear a butt plug for a couple of hours, though it's definitely not recommended to wear one all day. Lube won't last all day, so if you do plan on extended wear, you should reapply your lubricant to the plug on an hourly basis and then reinsert it to avoid discomfort and injuries such as fissures or hemorrhoids. Longer term, safe anal plug play with pjur lube is possible if you take these precautions.
With anal play for beginners, you shouldn't wear a plug for more than 30 minutes at a time. If you're more experienced and want to explore public play with your partner using an app-controlled plug, try to keep it to less than a couple of hours, but lube up every hour and take breaks.
Using it for other kinds of anal stimulation
If you're using anal plugs not to prep for anal sex but to stimulate yourself and explore other kinds of pleasure, you can repeatedly insert and remove the plug or try a vibrating version which allows you to try different speeds, intensity, and vibration patterns for a thrilling ride. These can be used during masturbation, to complement rimming, or to insert while exploring different erogenous zones. If you love rimming but don't have a partner to try this with, there are even toys with rotating beads that simulate the feeling of a rimjob, aka oral-anal sex. This can be made more realistic and mimic saliva and the feeling of a wet mouth with some of the best lubricant for anal plugs like pjur BACK DOOR Moisturizing.
Anal plug aftercare
Anal play with plugs can be hard on your muscles. Aftercare is an important part of your post-play ritual, and it includes cleaning your toy and checking in with yourself. This can mean gently cleaning yourself, assessing any areas of discomfort or soreness and checking in with your state of mind.
Clean your plug and store it safely
If you've ever Googled, 'How do I clean an anal plug?' you're not alone - proper cleaning is essential for safe play with any toy but especially toys used in the anus since they come into contact with a lot of bacteria. Right after you use your toy, wash the plug with warm water and soap or use a toy-safe form or spray cleaner. Let it air dry or dry it with a cloth before you store it in a breathable container or pouch. If you're using multiple silicone toys, keep them separated, as this material rubbing against itself can cause damage over time, similar to using silicone lubricant on silicone toys.
Clean yourself
Gently rinse the area with warm water, and don't douche afterward. You can take a shower or relax in a warm Epsom salt bath to soothe tired muscles. If you're not ready to shower or take a bath (or don't have access to one), intimacy wipes or a spray like pjur med CLEAN Spray is perfect. It contains 100% natural antibacterial active ingredients, is alcohol-free, and is dermatologically tested.
Physically check in and practice emotional aftercare
Do a quick body scan after your play. Many people experience a bit of sensitivity or soreness after anal play, which is normal, especially for beginners. A soothing anal balm may be helpful if you feel a bit of tenderness. But if you have sharp pains or bleeding, it's best to check in with a doctor.
Hopefully, this step-by-step guide to using anal plugs will help you start your journey with ease!
