After activating your private browser, how thorough are you in your product searches? Do you feel shy making these searches? You’re not alone. 

From butt plugs to anal toys and vibrators, where do you even start? Some Reddit users have left reviews about their journey, with a community of responses backing the encouragement. And with a little help from Women’s Health, sex toy testers confirm that there are ways to comfortably integrate butt plugs into your bedroom. 


A Practical Guide to Butt Plugs 

The best part of sex toys? You’re not the only one experimenting and learning. Everyone is reaching out more than ever before, and it only makes it harder to find the right stuff when so much is out there. And for some, this is not just your average sex toy, something a little more taboo that’s been stigmatised for decades. 

The thing is, it’s all about your confidence and feeling prepared, whether you’re exploring this on your own or with a partner. “Using a butt plug helps prepare the rectum for penetration, which can help reduce less discomfort during anal play," one sex educator explained.


Quick Facts About Butt Plugs

  • Anal toys are crafted from a variety of materials and come in a range of shapes, including glass, stainless steel, plug tails, vibrating options, and silicone plugs. 

  • They were originally called rectal dilators, initially designed to treat constipation and haemorrhoids and used by doctors as medical aids. 

  • They were originally made of rubber as early as 1893. However, the commercial sale of butt plugs started emerging around the 1960s in Germany. 


Why Use Plugs? 

Commonly known for pleasure these days, nerve endings surround the anus, both in male and female G-spots. Butt plugs stimulate these nerves and the prostate and provide sexual relief for those who enjoy penetration. Some even use these to warm up before anal sex, as it helps loosen up the rectum. 

Relationship coach and psychologist, Dr Cory Honickman, explains how stimulating these nerves can bring you a lot of pleasure. And depending on how the plug is used, the female can also experience prostate pleasure.

Who should avoid plugs?

If you or your partner suffers from prostate conditions like haemorrhoids or fissures, rather check with your healthcare professional before using one. 


Anal Sex and Butt Play Preparation 

  • Getting ready properly is really helpful when using plugs, especially when you have the right accessories, which can make your experience with anal play much more enjoyable and comfortable. 

  • Only use a sex toy designed to be used for anal penetration. Find a silicone, glass, or stainless-steel flair-based toy. 

  • Always clean your booty toy before you use it, even if you’re not sharing it with anyone else. 

  • Lubrication is your best friend. Whether you choose warming, tingling, cooling, or water-based lubricants, you will need a little help. 

  • Prep with an enema or anal douche beforehand if you’re weirded out by the natural “material” that comes back. This also reduces the risk of bacterial infection or spreading to other parts of the body (like the vagina).  


Best Butt Plug Types Recommended by Experts

Luvland Best-Sellers

From vibrating bulbs to tails, here are some of the picks that experts shared online:

Back to Basic Butt Plugs

Recommended: Start slow, or warm up for something bigger, with Luvland’s basic yet effective Silicone Butt Plug

Best Vibrating Plug for First Timers 

Recommended: Take in a traditional flared base and smooth silicone for a comfortable experience with the Pretty Love Vibra plug

Best Plug on a Budget

Recommended: Any plug under R500 will give you just as much pleasure as premium brands, though simple by design. 

Premium Anal Beads

Recommended:  From glass anal beads to beginner’s power beads, you have options for getting different sensations. 

Fluffy Anal Tails

Recommended: These fun accessories make foreplay even more appealing. Dive into a sexier experience with these fun, fluffy tails

Anal Lubricants 

There are a lot of anal lube options to choose from, but it works best if you know what sensation you’re looking for. From basic lubricant to thicker formulas and wild play time, there’s something for everyone. 

  1. Warming Water-Based 
  2. Original Water-Based
  3. Anal Cooling Silicone-Based
  4. Anal Cooling Water-Based
  5. Natural Anal Lube
  6. Relaxed Anal Glide
  7. Fisting Lube

You can browse some of Luvland’s best-sellers here: Anal lubricants 



Butt Plugs, Sex Toys, and Anal Sex 

Butt plugs can be the perfect addition to anal sex, especially for first-timers who want to explore and experiment with new sensations comfortably. Wearing a butt plug before sex can help the body relax and become more responsive to fullness, ensuring anal sex feels comfortable and pleasurable for any experience level. 

Some couples enjoy using anal sex toys to warm up during foreplay to increase excitement and enhance stimulation. And since they come in different shapes and sizes, there’s plenty of room for those who want to advance from the basics to the expert level. 

Beginners should start with the basic butt plug with a flared base for safety and use plenty of lubricant. 

If you’re looking to experiment with different sensations, you can add a few elements to your experience:  

  • Try different lubricants like warming or cooling on stainless steel or glass sex toys; the change in temperature can feel like a whole new experience. 
  • Mix things up with sex toys like vibrators, cock rings, or clitoral stimulators. Use these to intensify the sensations, whether you’re alone or with a partner.
  • Experiment with your body by learning new positions with your plug; sensations can change depending on how you position it. Use this to find a feeling and pressure that you like. 
  • Introduce it into penetrative sex. 


Key Takeaway 

From a brief history background to types of plugs and lubricants, butt plugs can be a fun addition to the bedroom, whether it’s for solo use or with a partner. Enhancing foreplay to anal sex preparation, these toys can add pleasure, stimulation, and confidence when used correctly. 

The idea is to start slow, choose the right size and shape, use enough lubricant, and don’t push your body beyond its limits. Anal play should feel less intimidating and more enjoyable when you understand what you’re doing.