{{short description|Sex toy that is designed to be inserted into the rectum}} {{distinguish|Anal plug|Rectal dilator}} {{pp-pc}} thumb|Different types of butt plugs A '''butt plug''' is a sex toy that is designed to be inserted into the rectum for sexual pleasure.<ref>{{cite book|first=Tristan|last=Taormino|author-link=Tristan Taormino|year=1997|title=The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women|publisher=Cleis Press|isbn=978-1-57344-028-8|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/ultimateguidetoa00taorrich}}</ref> They often have a flanged end to prevent the device from being lost inside the rectum.<ref>{{cite book|title=Anal Pleasure & Health: A Guide for Men and Women|author=Jack Morin|year=2000|publisher=Down There Press|isbn=978-0-940208-20-9|page=96}}</ref>
==History== Rectal dilators were originally designed for therapeutic uses and later marketed with terms such as Dr. Young's Ideal Rectal Dilators, which were marketed as a cure for insanity<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.at/books?id=PyoTAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA471&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false |title=Medical News |date=1893 |publisher=Henry C. Lea's Son & Company |language=en}}</ref> and constipation.<ref>{{cite book|author=Daniel Carpenter|title=Reputation and Power: Organizational Image and Pharmaceutical Regulation at the FDA: Organizational Image and Pharmaceutical Regulation at the FDA|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e2EhL1vALjIC&pg=PA77|date=April 24, 2014|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=978-1-4008-3511-9|pages=77{{ndash}}8}} </ref> In the late 20th century, similar devices started to be marketed as sex toys.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jensen|first=K. Thor|date=2017-02-22|title=The Dark, Twisted History Of The Butt Plug|url=https://medium.com/dose/the-dark-twisted-history-of-the-butt-plug-e24193debc97|access-date=2021-02-16|website=Medium|language=en|archive-date=2021-06-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605112457/https://medium.com/dose/the-dark-twisted-history-of-the-butt-plug-e24193debc97|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Basics== Butt plugs can be moved in or out for pleasure, so as to simulate the rhythmic thrusting of penetrative sex, although some butt plugs are specifically designed for stimulation of the prostate. As with other activities involving anal penetration, such as anal sex, large amounts of sexual lubricant and a slow gentle approach are needed to insert or remove a butt plug.<ref>{{cite book|author=Morin, Jack|title=Anal Pleasure and Health|edition=3rd|publisher=Down There Press|year=1998|isbn=978-0-940208-20-9}}</ref>
Butt plugs must be very smooth to avoid damaging the rectum or bowel. In order to get them into the rectum, they most commonly have a general profile of a round-ended cone which then narrows to a "waist" which locates itself at the anal sphincter, with the flared part outside the body, preventing the butt plug from slipping further into the body. Some butt plugs are enhanced with vibration technology. Certain manufacturers produce app-connected versions that allow vibration control through a smartphone.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sloan |first1=Kate |title=The Thrusting Butt Plug That Does the Work for You |url=https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/doc-johnson-a-play-thrusting-adventurous-plug-review |website=MEL Magazine |date=20 July 2022 |access-date=17 October 2025 |archive-date=11 November 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251111174239/https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/doc-johnson-a-play-thrusting-adventurous-plug-review |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Designs== thumb|Butt plug with a faux tail Butt plugs come in a variety of colors, shapes, sizes, and textures. Most have a thin tip which is wider in the middle, a notch to hold it in place once it is inserted, and a flared base to prevent complete insertion into the rectum. Some plugs have an egg-shaped penetrative part. Some plugs are designed (long, flexible and curved) to penetrate the sigmoid colon.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 September 2019 |title=Introduction to Depth Play |url=https://squirrelmunk.com/2019/09/16/introduction-to-depth-play/ |url-status=live |access-date=28 October 2025 |website=Squirrelmunk |archive-date=21 November 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251121092019/https://squirrelmunk.com/2019/09/16/introduction-to-depth-play/ }}</ref> Butt plugs are made of a variety of materials, the most common being silicone as it can be disinfected in boiling water. Metal or glass are also recommended as they are nonporous.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brabaw 1, Sloan 2, Madaus 3 |first=Kasandra 1, Kate 2, Sarah 3 |date=3 January 2023 |title=The 27 Best Butt Plugs That Sex Experts Recommend for Safe Anal Play |url=https://www.self.com/gallery/best-butt-plugs |url-status=live |access-date=28 October 2025 |website=Self}}</ref> Some butt plugs include a faux tail on the tip, such plugs are typically used by the furry community.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Campbell |first=Heather |date=2024-01-31 |title=Dad left red-faced after "fox tail" he bought for son is butt plug |url=https://www.deadlinenews.co.uk/2024/01/31/dad-left-red-faced-after-fox-tail-he-bought-for-son-is-butt-plug/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260412104022/https://www.deadlinenews.co.uk/2024/01/31/dad-left-red-faced-after-fox-tail-he-bought-for-son-is-butt-plug/ |archive-date=2026-04-12 |access-date=2026-04-12 |work=Deadline News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
==Risks== {{see also|Prostate massage#Risks}}
Unlike the vagina, which is closed off by the cervix, the rectum leads to the sigmoid colon. Objects that are inserted into the rectum can therefore potentially travel up into the bowel; the flared end on a butt plug exists to prevent this. Some dildos lack a flared end, and thus it is not advised to use such dildos anally since they may get stuck; rectal foreign bodies may require medical extraction.<ref>{{cite web |author=Regina Nuzzo |author-link=Regina Nuzzo |date=2011-05-24 |title=Good Vibrations: U.S. Consumer Web Site Aims to Enhance Sex Toy Safety |url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/good-vibrations-us-consumer-web-site-aims-to-enhance-sex-toy-safety/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304073633/https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/good-vibrations-us-consumer-web-site-aims-to-enhance-sex-toy-safety/ |archive-date=2014-03-04 |access-date=2017-07-25 |publisher=Scientific American}}</ref> However, the flared flange is not a foolproof method of preventing the plug from entering the rectum completely with the inability to retrieve it. This is uncomfortable and may require medical intervention. When inserting a butt plug, one should be gentle, use plenty of lubrication, start with smaller sizes, and exercise patience. While medical data is sparse, some recommend not leaving a butt plug inserted for longer than two to three hours, though anecdotal evidence dictates some users wear their plugs for even longer; some committed practitioners only remove them so as to be able to pass stool.<ref>{{cite web |author=Mark P. Behar, PA-C |date=October 14, 2010 |title=More on Wearing Anal Plugs Long Term |url=http://shepherdexpress.com/article-permalink-12522.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701184509/http://shepherdexpress.com/article-permalink-12522.html |archive-date=July 1, 2015 |access-date=July 1, 2015 |publisher=Shepherd Express |quote=There are no good research studies that evaluate the short or long-term effects of using butt plugs... short-term use probably is not much different than bowel movements, anal sex, or medical procedures. Long-term use, however, probably is.}}</ref><ref>[http://thehealthybear.com/butt-plug-guide/ Butt Plug Safety Guide] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250928084118/https://thehealthybear.com/butt-plug-guide/ |date=2025-09-28 }} Retrieved October 19, 2013.</ref>
In addition, the lower bowel above the rectum is easily perforated. For this reason, butt plugs tend to be shorter than dildos, and their marked size generally indicates the circumference of the device rather than the length. Butt plugs of excess diameter can, especially when inserted too rapidly and/or too forcefully, lead to sphincter tear, detachment or other rectal failure. The sphincter muscle will hold the plug in place by the waist, preventing the plug from slipping out unintentionally. Kegel exercises can help maintain normal, healthy sphincter function.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kegel |first=Arnold H. |date=1952 |title=A nonsurgical method of increasing the tone of sphincters and their supporting structures |url=https://acticore.com/out/pictures/blog/dr_kegels_research-A-Nonsurgical-Method-of-Increasing-the-Tone-of-Sphincters-and-their-Supporting-Structures-.pdf |journal=Ciba Clin Symp. |volume=4 |issue=2 |pages=35-51 |archive-date=2025-07-08 |access-date=2025-10-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708214450/https://acticore.com/out/pictures/blog/dr_kegels_research-A-Nonsurgical-Method-of-Increasing-the-Tone-of-Sphincters-and-their-Supporting-Structures-.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
Butt plugs are sometimes covered by condoms for hygiene and to allow for the easy disposal of any feces with which they may come into contact.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Bruce,Cara |title=The First Year: Hepatitis C An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed |author2=Montanarelli, Lisa |publisher=Hachette Books |year=2009 |isbn=9780786732661}}</ref> Nevertheless, they should not be shared with other people, due to the risk of transmitting sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, from the transfer of body fluids from one person to another.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 April 2014 |title=Is It Safe To Share Sex Toys? |url=https://www.lehmiller.com/blog/2014/4/28/is-it-safe-to-share-sex-toys |access-date=2020-06-13 |website=Sex And Psychology |language=en-US |archive-date=2020-06-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613114708/https://www.lehmiller.com/blog/2014/4/28/is-it-safe-to-share-sex-toys |url-status=live }}</ref>
== In culture == [[File:Rotterdam_kunstwerk_Santa_Claus.jpg|thumb|upright|''Santa Claus'' on the Eendrachtsplein, Rotterdam]] The sculpture named ''Santa Claus'' or the ''Buttplug Gnome'' was erected in Rotterdam by Paul McCarthy.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Zebracki|first=Martin|date=2012-11-01|title=Engaging geographies of public art: indwellers, the 'Butt Plug Gnome' and their locale|journal=Social & Cultural Geography|volume=13|issue=7|pages=735–758|doi=10.1080/14649365.2012.723735|s2cid=146520018 |issn=1464-9365}}</ref> The same artist's 2014 sculpture ''Tree'' was also deliberately jokingly designed to look like a butt plug.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chazan|first1=David|title=Vandals deflate giant 'sex toy' sculpture in Paris|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/11171441/Vandals-deflate-giant-sex-toy-sculpture-in-Paris.html|accessdate=19 October 2014|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=18 October 2014}}</ref>
==See also== {{Portal|Human sexuality}} *Anal beads *Anal masturbation *Rectal foreign body
==References== {{Reflist}}
==Further reading == * {{cite book | last = Taormino | first = Tristan |title=The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women, 2nd Edition|publisher= Cleis Press|year= 2006|isbn=9781573442213}} * {{cite book | last = Morin PhD | first = Jack |title=Anal Pleasure and Health: A Guide for Men, Women and Couples|publisher= Down There Press|year= 2010|isbn=978-0940208209}}
==External links== * {{Commons category-inline|Butt plugs}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Butt plug}} Category:Anal sex toys