Butt Plug — Get Closer Glossary

Used in

WHY PEOPLE USE IT

The anus has a high concentration of nerve endings, and the sensation of fullness is pleasurable for many people regardless of gender or sexual orientation. For people with a prostate, a plug pressing against the anterior rectal wall provides indirect prostate stimulation that can intensify orgasm significantly. For people without a prostate, anal stimulation can still contribute to orgasm through nerve endings and the indirect stimulation of nearby structures. Plugs are often used during penetrative sex or masturbation to add a second sensation simultaneously. Some people wear them for extended periods for the sustained feeling of fullness. In BDSM contexts, a plug can be used as a tool of control, worn on instruction from a dominant partner.

HOW POPULAR IS IT

Anal play has grown consistently more mainstream over the past two decades. Survey data shows the proportion of people who have tried anal stimulation has increased substantially, and butt plugs are among the most commonly purchased anal toys. One notable finding from sex toy sales data is that single straight men purchase large butt plugs at nearly five times the rate of single straight women, suggesting the category has a significant following among men who enjoy prostate stimulation.

HISTORY

The butt plug has a surprisingly formal medical origin. In 1892, Frank E. Young, a physician from Canton, Ohio, patented a set of hard rubber rectal dilators under U.S. Design Patent No. 21,551. Manufactured by F.E. Young and Co. in Chicago, the devices came in sets of four, torpedo-shaped, ranging from half an inch to one inch in diameter and three to four inches long. They were sold with a set of claims that stretched the imagination: regular use was said to cure constipation, haemorrhoids, flatulence, headaches, insomnia, acne, sallow skin, foul breath, bad taste in the mouth, cold extremities, nervousness, and what the literature called "mental hebetude." From the Latin word "hebes", meaning blunt or dull. Basically, they were claiming their rectal dilators cured stupidity.

Dr. Young's Ideal Rectal Dilators were sold openly in the United States from the late 19th century until 1940, when the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York seized a shipment as misbranded. Federal courts ordered the destruction of 67 sets in 1942, effectively ending their legal sale. By then, they had been on the market for five decades. The same basic form, tapered and flanged, transitioned from medical device to sex toy through the 1960s and 70s as the sexual liberation movement made anal play more openly discussed.

Early pleasure plugs appeared in sex shops alongside dildos and vibrators. The category expanded significantly from the 1980s onward as materials improved and the adult toy industry professionalised. Stainless steel and borosilicate glass plugs emerged in the 1990s and 2000s as premium alternatives to rubber and early silicone. App-controlled and vibrating versions followed as miniaturised motor technology became affordable.

TYPES OF BUTT PLUG

Vibrating Plug
A butt plug with a built-in vibrating motor, designed for anal stimulation.

Glass Plug
A butt plug made from borosilicate glass, prized for temperature play and easy sterilisation.

Steel Plug
A stainless steel butt plug. Holds temperature for hot or cold play and gives a strong, weighty feeling of fullness.

Silicone Plug
A butt plug made from body-safe silicone. Soft, flexible, and comfortable for longer wear.

Weighted Plug
A heavier butt plug designed to create a stronger sense of fullness and downward pressure.

Jewelled Plug
A butt plug with a decorative gem or crystal set into the base, designed to be visible during wear.

Inflatable Plug
A butt plug that can be inflated after insertion to increase its size inside the body.

Tunnel Plug
A hollow butt plug that keeps the anal opening stretched open during wear.

Tail Plug
A butt plug with an animal tail attached to the base, worn as part of pet play or costume.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Start small. A beginner plug should have a diameter under an inch and a smooth, tapered tip. Silicone is the most forgiving material and warms to body temperature. Stainless steel and glass are firm and transmit temperature and vibration well, but have no give. Both are fully non-porous and easy to sterilise. The flared base must be wide enough to sit securely against the body. A base that is too narrow can be pulled inward. T-bar and disc bases are the most secure for extended wear.

Avoid any toy marketed for anal use without a clearly flared base. For vibrating plugs, app or remote control is worth considering if partner play is the goal. For extended wear, a lighter material and a disc or T-bar base will be more comfortable than a heavy steel plug.

TRUSTED BRANDS

njoy makes highly regarded stainless steel plugs, particularly the Pure Plug range. Fun Factory and b-Vibe are well-regarded for silicone options. For vibrating plugs, Lovense Hush and We-Vibe Ditto are the most popular app-connected options.

WHERE TO BUY IT

Show prices in

Available from specialist sex toy retailers online and in store. Avoid general marketplaces where material information is absent or unverifiable. For vibrating options, Lovense sells directly and ships internationally.

Budget (silicone, basic): $15–$30. Simple shapes, single material, no vibration.
Mid-range: $30–$70. Better silicone, textured options, some with vibration.
Premium (steel, glass, or vibrating): $70–$150+. High-quality materials, strong motors, or body jewellery finishes.

Rough prices as of June 2026.

HOW TO LOOK AFTER IT

Cleaning
Clean before and after every use with warm water and unscented soap or a toy-safe cleaner. Non-motorised stainless steel and glass plugs can be boiled or run through the dishwasher (top rack, no detergent) for full sterilisation. Do not submerge motorised toys.

Lubricant
Use plenty of lubricant during use. The anus does not self-lubricate. Use only water-based lubricant with silicone toys; silicone-based lubricant degrades silicone.

Storage
Store in a pouch away from other toys.