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What Does a Butt Plug Feel Like? (Complete FAQ)

What Does a Butt Plug Feel Like? (Complete FAQ)

Last Updated on June 5, 2025

Have you ever thought of spicing up your sex life with the help of sex toys? If so, you should get yourself familiar with butt plugs.

Wearing one can significantly improve your intimate sensations, regardless of your sexual orientation. Today we'll explain what a butt plug feels like so you know exactly what to expect your first time using a butt plug.

What Is a Butt Plug?

A butt plug is a sex toy that inserts into the anus and provides a feeling of fullness throughout the rectum which increases sexual pleasure during partnered sex or masturbation.

What exactly is a butt plug for? Some products are designed for anal training to stretch the anus and prepare it for bigger things, like a penis in the case of anal sex. Stretching the muscles can help make anal penetration much more comfortable.

What Does it Look Like?

Butt plug shape

A typical butt plug is divided into four parts: the tip, the bulb, the neck, and the base. Each of those elements will give a different sensation to your body.

Tip

This is the top part that goes into the sphincter first. Most butt plugs have tapered tips to allow for easy insertion.

While some plugs feature a gentle thin taper, others may be slightly more aggressive and wide. Basically, the taper of a tip will indicate whether inserting the plug will be easy or more challenging.

Bulb

The largest part of a butt plug - the bulb - will provide internal pressure against your anus. The thicker a bulb is, the more intense feeling of "fullness" you will feel in your backside.

However, the thickness of the bulb will also determine how easy it is to insert. While thinner toys may be roughly an inch or less in diameter, the larger models can be over 2 inches in width, which will require your anus to stretch more to insert it.

Neck

The neck is an extended slim section placed between the bulb and the base of a butt plug. Once the plug is inserted, your rectum will wrap around the neck, providing you with a feeling of enjoyable pressure in your anus. Similarly to the plug's bulb, the thicker the neck is, the more intense the stimulating effect it will give.

Base

A butt plug sits atop of a base, which usually comes as flared end or T-bar base. A flared base is usually thicker than the neck, which prevents it from going in too far and stops it from falling out. You can comfortably tuck the base between your ass cheeks for extended use.

Most butt plug bases are ugly, but we have some exciting products designed for women with a pretty sparkling jewel, gem or diamond butt plug that looks like anal jewelry in the base to give your partner something sexy to peek at, perfect to make you feel feminine.

How Does it Feel?

Here's a few sensations you'll experience when wearing a butt plug:

  • Stretching around the sphincter: You'll feel a constant tingling sensation from the butt plug stem passing through the sphincter and holding it open.
  • A feeling of fullness: This is a combination of stretching and tingling. You'll notice pleasurable sensations spreading throughout your groin due to the pressure on the sensitive nerve endings.
  • More powerful orgasm: Your muscles clenching during orgasm will squeeze down on the plug amplifying the pulsating pleasure from the body's response to an orgasm.
  • Prostate stimulation: For men, pressure on the prostate gland produces intense pleasure. If the plug has a curved tip, the P-spot stimulation will feel more powerful.
  • Vibrating butt plug: If the plug vibrates, the tingling sensation spreads from your butt cheeks up inside the body via the rectum. You may even feel buzzy vibrations in the vagina or penis!

How to Insert a Butt Plug

In fact, you will never know what a butt plug feels like until you try it yourself. It's time to get the action started then! Here's some tips for a comfortable and enjoyable first time experience:

Always Use Anal Lube

First and foremost, the key to inserting a butt plug safely is using a generous amount of butt lube. Unlike the vagina, your anus does not self-lubricate, so it's crucial to moisturize the area properly.

You can opt for a water-based lube, which is non-sticky and easy to wash off, or a silicone-based lube - a more slippery and long-lasting lube alternative. Make sure to avoid using silicone-based lube with a silicone butt plug, as it may erode the material.

Keep in mind that the lube is likely to feel quite cold against your skin, which may be a little unpleasant. Luckily, you can make it feel nicer by warming up the lube before applying. Simply place the lubricant bottle in warm water for about 20 minutes, and then use the lube on your skin as well as the plug.

Essential Advice for Beginners

Choosing a butt plug for beginner makes your job much easier for the first time. Start by pressing the tip of the plug against your anus and gently applying pressure so that the plug slowly but consistently goes further in.

Don't worry if you tense up in the meantime - just relax and try again. As the plug goes in, your anal muscles will stretch, allowing you to go deeper. It might feel odd at first, and it's totally normal.

The most important thing is that you shouldn't feel pain when inserting the plug. If things begin to hurt, don't go further in, as it may lead to serious injuries.

Another thing that may disturb the butt plug insertion, especially if it's your first time, is muscle tension. The best thing to do before putting in the sex toy is to relax your sphincter muscles by rubbing around your anal area and inserting a finger. Once you're sufficiently relaxed, you can now try the toy.

When will you know that you've inserted the plug? Right after you cross the thickest part of the bulb, the rest will go down much easier, and eventually, the plug will just "pop" right in place. Once it's placed, you can adjust it as necessary.

All Day & Public Play

Butt plug

Ever wonder what it feels like to have a butt plug inserted for an extended period of time during different daily activities?

While they offer physical benefits to our bodies in the form of sexual sensations, especially during a sex act, wearing them also provides mental stimulation. For example, many people like wearing butt plugs in public, and there are a few good reasons for it. 

Some people love the sensations so much they wear butt plugs all day long and in even outdoors or in public. It feels like your naughty little secret with constant sexual arousal that only you're aware of.

Walking with a butt plug

When you try walking with a butt plug for the first time, you may naturally feel the urge to spread your legs with each step. Try not to do this because others may notice that you're hiding something down there! It's best to first walk with it around the house before heading out, so you can properly get used to it.

While walking with a plug inside, you will experience friction between your buttocks and the plug's base, which is likely to be an issue at first. This is usually more intense with flared base plugs, that's why using a butt plug with a T-bar base is better in this case.

Sitting down with a butt plug

You may experience that sitting down is quite uncomfortable due to the increased pressure, especially when sitting on a hard surface. The shape of your plug plays a significant role in the way the pressure is applied. 

If you're using a flared butt plug, the sides of the base may also dig into your skin while you're sitting down, causing more pressure and potential discomfort. For this reason, it's recommended to use anal toys with T-bar bases or similar types suitable for everyday wear. 

What it Feels Like During Sex

Butt plug for beginners

There are benefits for both men and women from using a butt plug during sex.

There are a lot of nerve endings in the anus, so all people will enjoy the pleasurable effects during penetrative sex. Although they may not feel the same way due to anatomical differences, the presence of a butt plug can significantly enhance sexual sensations no matter the gender. 

A female partner will feel internal pressure from the anus to the vagina. A butt plug provides more pressure on the vaginal wall making the vagina feel tighter. This can make the vaginal penetration more stimulating for both partners, leading to a much more intense orgasm on both sides during sex.


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A male partner, on the other hand, can use anal toys to enhance his orgasmic experience through prostate stimulation. This gland can be stimulated both internally and externally, and butt plugs can provide both types of stimulation at the same time. 

Removal & Cleaning

Just like with inserting a plug, keep in mind to take it out equally slowly to prevent potential injuries. It may be helpful to apply some more lube to the area to provide a smoother removal.

Once you're ready to take it out, grab the base of the plug and pull it gently. You may find it helpful to make the "push" movement when removing the plug - similar to taking a bowel movement. 

Once the plug is out, check it for feces (don't be surprised if you find a little stuck to the toy - it's totally normal) and clean it thoroughly. Clean up your bum as well, and you're good to go. If you find your butt to be sore after removing the toy, it's best if you give yourself a few days to rest before another plug-play.

The Bottom Line

If you're looking for ways to improve your sex life and enhance pleasure in a super intense yet easy way, anal stimulation is not to be overlooked.

Butt plugs can be used to prepare you or your partner for anal penetration and to elevate the intimate sensations during intercourse or masturbation. You can also wear them around the house or in public for some mental stimulation. 

If you're curious about how butt plugs really feel at the back door, the best way is to try them out yourself. With our helpful guide, you will be able to enjoy anal play and bring your sexual game to the next level.




Mayla Green

Mayla Green has been involved in the sex toy industry since 2004. Working behind the motto “Sex TOYS should be FUN”, Mayla provides unique tips & advice amassed from over a decade of hands on experience with adult products. She also coaches clients how to fully enjoy sexual pleasure and can be seen in major publications & magazines online.

Happily married since 2009, she knows firsthand how the sex life eventually becomes repetitive (which truthfully means boring), so if you're looking to spice things up in the bedroom, Mayla's your gal! Her literary pride & joy is covering topics for established couples needing inspiration to keep lovemaking exciting and fun.

Not in a relationship? Her other focus is teaching women how to properly handle the “little person in the canoe” to experience the best orgasms ever, no partner required! Her creative and innovative tips, techniques and advice is on par with a certified sex therapist or Sexologist, but with an extra advantage from her knowledge of the adult toy business.

View all articles published by Mayla Green exclusively for The Adult Toy Shop sex blog and follow me on Instagram.

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