In 2001, sex advice columnist Dan Savage posed a question to his loyal readers: he wanted to know what to call the act of a “woman f*cking a man in the ass with a strap-on dildo.” The responses, and more than 12,000 email votes, quickly poured in. It was at that moment that the word pegging entered the English lexicon (and, of course, Urban Dictionary the following year). 

Twenty years later, a quick Google search will provide you with no less than 177 million search results about pegging—seemingly highlighting a continued fascination with this sexual practice. In this blog, FunLove.com answers your burning questions and breaks down everything you need to know about pegging.

What is Pegging?

By its traditional definition, pegging refers to a cisgender woman penetrating a cisgender man’s anus with a strap-on dildo. But in recent years, the term has come to refer more broadly to anal penetration of any gender by any gender while wearing a strap-on. (How can a person with a penis wear a strap-on, you may ask? The answer: hollow strap-ons.)

To put it simply, she pegs, he pegs, they peg, we all peg. 

How Common is Pegging?

Considering that pegging is something we’ve only bothered giving a name to in the past two decades, it comes as no surprise that there’s not a lot of data readily available about it. However, cultural recognition of the practice does seem to be picking up steam, having been depicted in a series of instructional sex-ed videos called Bend Over Boyfriend in the late 1990s and more recently in popular media like the movie Deadpool and the TV show Broad City.

As for hard data, wellness company Future Method shed some light on pegging in with their small-scale survey conducted in 2019. More than 880 American adults with active sex lives were asked about their experience with butt play, including anal sex, anal sex toys, analingus, and pegging. The study found that overall, about 16.7% of respondents have tried pegging. 

Notably, the percentage of adults who said they had engaged in pegging was significantly higher in the gay, lesbian, and bisexual community, despite pegging traditionally being labeled a heterosexual act. Approximately 24.1% of gay and lesbian respondents, 31.4% of bisexual respondents, and just 10.4% of straight respondents reported having tried pegging.

What Does Pegging Feel Like?

If you’re worried that pegging is designed to inflict pain on the person being pegged, you can relax. Pegging, particularly for those who have a prostate, can actually be an untapped gold mine of sexual pleasure, including powerful orgasms.

The prostate, sometimes called the p-spot, is a small gland that produces ejaculatory fluid and can be stimulated either externally through the perineum or internally through the wall of the rectum. There are also tons of other sensitive nerves in the anus, sphincter, and rectum which can feel fantastic when stimulated. Some people also like the sensation of stretching or fullness when penetrated. Pegging can even be quite pleasurable for the person doing the pegging. Some women find that wearing a strap-on dildo provides direct or indirect clitoral stimulation while thrusting. 

In truth, though, pegging is about so much more than physical stimulation. For many people, the real draw of pegging or getting pegged is the shift in power dynamics and the reversal of traditional roles in the bedroom. It may be empowering for a woman to penetrate her partner and explore her more dominant side. By the same token, many straight men enjoy taking on a more submissive role and the intimacy of penetration. Some couples even say that pegging has helped them build trust in their relationship.

How Do You Prepare for Pegging?

Unlike other bedroom activities that more easily lend themselves to spontaneity, pegging is best enjoyed when you do some planning beforehand. This means having an honest conversation with your partner, purchasing the proper accessories, and making sure you or your partner’s butt is well-prepared for pegging.

Talk To Your Partner

Not everyone will be open to the idea of pegging or getting pegged. Some people don’t enjoy anal play at all, and that’s okay! Before you break out the harness and the strap-on mid-coitus, have an open conversation with your partner. Let them know why you’re interested in pegging and see if they’re willing to read up on it or watch a video about it together. If you both decide to try pegging, be sure to talk about expectations and boundaries ahead of time, including a safe word if things don’t go according to plan.

Choose the Right Pegging Accessories

 

Additionally, you can choose between a traditional harness or an underwear-style harness. A traditional harness may be more easily adjustable, while underwear harnesses can be more comfortable and may even be worn under your regular clothes. In lieu of a traditional strap-on, you can also try a strapless strap-on, which doesn’t require a harness and is instead held in place by the wearer’s vaginal muscles. 

Another pegging must-have is personal lubricant. Unlike the vagina, the anus definitely is not self-lubricating. And if you’re new to anal penetration, you’re going to want to use as much lube as possible to avoid painful microtears. You can even invest in some anal lube, which has a thicker consistency and can help reduce friction and last longer. Make sure that you also choose a lubricant that’s compatible with the type of toys you’re using—for example, silicone-based lubes can degrade sex toys made from silicone. 

Prepare Your Derrière

There are several things to consider when getting your butt ready for pegging. First things first, consider your experience level. If you’re new to anal penetration, you probably don’t want to start with a full-size strap-on dildo. Instead, explore your body when you’re relaxed, either on your own or with your partner. Try gently massaging the opening of the anus before inserting something small, like a finger. Be sure to use lube and stop if you feel any pain. If you’re a total newb, consider purchasing an anal training kit for some practice. You want to slowly work your way up to bigger toys so that your muscles stay relaxed and don’t tense up when you’re being penetrated. 

The other thing to consider before pegging is hygiene and cleanliness. If you’re on the receiving end, you’ll want to clean up as best as you can without going overboard. Experts recommend avoiding alcohol-based or astringent cleansers, which can dry out your anus and lead to microtears. Instead, simply wash with warm soap and water in the shower. You can also use a mild enema with water or saline if you want to make sure you’re squeaky clean. Another pro tip: try to use the restroom prior to any anal play. It’ll reduce the chance of coming into contact with any poo residue during sexy time.

How Do I Peg My Partner?

When it comes to pegging, you probably don’t want to just dive right in. Instead, start with plenty of foreplay. Both partners should be relaxed and aroused, and you should pay special attention to the person who’s getting pegged. You might want to start with a sensual or erotic massage or warm up with some analingus or digital penetration.

Once you’re both ready, you’ll want to choose a pegging position that’s comfortable and feels good. For beginners who are a little nervous, cowboy is a great position that puts the receiver in total control of their experience. The person wearing the strap-on lays on their back while the receiver lowers themselves onto the dildo. They can then control the speed and depth of penetration, while also giving their partner a great view.

Another good option for pegging newbies is a spooning position. The receiver acts as the little spoon while the giver acts as the big spoon, providing shallow penetration in a comfortable position. Spooning can also help relax the receiver’s anal muscles and make penetration easier.

Finally, doggy-style is a classic pegging position. This is an easy position to maintain for both partners and provides both of you with a good amount of control and pleasure. Whatever position you choose for pegging, it’s crucial to start slow, use plenty of lube, and communicate with your partner about what’s working and what isn’t. Once you get more comfortable, you can start to add in lots of other elements, from BDSM implements to simultaneous stimulation of multiple erogenous zones.

Shop the Entire FunLove.com Pegging Collection

With over 30 years of experience as a leading retailer of pegging accessories, wellness products, and sex toys, Fascinations is your one-stop shop for online and in-store shopping across our 16 locations in Arizona and Colorado (with more on the way). 

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