
The word “pegging” makes a lot of people nervous, but it isn’t nearly as scary as it sounds. We often see it in movies as a joke or a negative experience, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, pegging is usually an intensely pleasurable and intimate sexual experience. More than that, it's a way to reverse traditional penetration roles, spice up your sex life, and, if you have a prostate, take your orgasms to the next level.
What Is Pegging?
Pegging isn’t all that complicated - one partner wears a strap-on dildo and penetrates the other partner anally. It originated as a woman wearing a dildo and penetrating a man, but now, it has progressed in which any gender can be the giver or receiver.
There are a few things you’ll need before you get started:
Lube is critical in any kind of anal play. Don’t get the cheap stuff either - you’ll want lubrication that lasts long, won’t damage your sex toys and makes penetration smooth and comfortable.
A harness or strap-on dildo is the main component here. A harness straps onto your waist and fits a dildo, while a strap-on is a single toy that includes both. For beginners, it’s better to just buy a strap-on.
A vibrator is optional, but it can take your pleasure to the next level. Vibrating dildos aren’t much pricier than standard ones, so I’d recommend getting a vibrator and deciding later if you want to use it or not.
Is Pegging Safe?
Yes! Pegging is absolutely safe, but as always it’s important to practice good hygiene and communicate with your partner.
“Start slow and communication with your partner throughout,” says sex educator Nina Nguyen from Fraulila. “Have them give you feedback on what feels good and stop if either of you starts to feel pain.” Anal play can cause discomfort, especially if you aren’t used to it.
If you’re new to anal, take it slow and try to relax as your body gets used to the penetration. If you’ve got experience with anal, pegging isn’t all that different.
Why Do People Peg?
There are several reasons people try pegging, but sex and relationship coach Nicole Shafer explains it best, “Well, short answer- it feels good!” she explains. “There are so many reasons individuals can be interested in pegging… from pleasure to powerplay to exploring something new, it brings about excitement.”
For some couples, pegging is about reversing their normal penetration dynamic. For others, it can be about submission and dominance. Some couples just love the way it feels. Regardless of the reason, it’s quickly becoming a popular sexual activity.
So You Want To Peg Your Partner, Here’s How To Bring It Up
A lot of people - especially heterosexual men - might not be comfortable with the idea of pegging at first. It isn’t necessarily seen as a “normal” sexual practice yet, and the initial discomfort can be frightening.
It’s never okay to pressure your partner into an act they aren’t comfortable with, but you can have an educational conversation and go from there. Pegging takes a lot of trust because you can hurt your partner if you don’t listen to them.
Talk about why you want to try pegging. Explain that it starts slow and they will be in control of the speed and intensity the entire time. They may say no, and that’s okay. You won’t regret talking about it, even if it doesn’t happen.
7 Pegging Tips Everyone Should Know For Their First Time
1. Start with foreplay
Pegging can be intense, especially the first time, so don’t jump straight in. Getting in the mood will help you both relax, which makes your partner’s body more receptive to penetration.
Sex isn’t a race. Do things you know your partner enjoys, and start pegging when it feels natural.
2. Use Lube!
I cannot stress this enough - use lube! Professional Parisian dominatrix Madame Toska suggests you lubricate both ends generously. “Lubricate that hole, then lubricate the dildo. Start with the smallest dildo you have.”
Lots of people swear by coconut oil, but any lube will work. Just make sure to try it in advance to ensure you don’t have any allergic reactions and do your research to make sure it won’t damage your toys.
3. Find the Right Position
This is going to vary depending on you and your partner’s preferences, but pegging them from behind is a good place to start. They might prefer to start on top so they have more control over the penetration.
It’ll take some experimenting to find what’s best for both of you but start in the position that feels most relaxing.
4. Slow and Steady
Don’t get ahead of yourself. If the receiving partner isn’t used to anal penetration, you need to go slow. It will take some time before you can speed up, and their body will need time to adapt to every inch of penetration.
I’d highly recommend using fingers, butt plugs, or small toys for practice before you move up to pegging. No one’s butt can go from zero to strap-on in one night.
5. Thrust Carefully
Dominatrix Madame Toska says that even in BDSM, the receiving partner has the final say with pegging. “The person receiving the pegging is always in control,” she says, “Even when there is a dominant/submissive dynamic involved.”
6. Don’t Be Afraid to Talk
You and your partner both want each other to enjoy sex, so don’t keep any secrets about what you’re feeling. If it hurts, say so! If it feels amazing, say that too! No one gets pegging perfect on the first try, but if you communicate to find the right rhythm, it’s euphoric.
7. Take Care of Your Partner Afterward
Pegging isn’t the kind of thing where you can roll over and fall asleep right after. Remove the dildo slowly, and tell them what you’re doing as you’re doing it. Check-in with your partner to see how they’re feeling and if they need anything.
It helps to have a towel to set aside the dildo in, and maybe a wet cloth to help clean them up. If it’s your first time, have a conversation about how they felt, what they liked or didn’t like and if they want to try it again.
Pegging isn’t for everyone, but there’s no harm in experimenting. If you decide to give it a try, make sure to take it slow and build up to it. It may take some time to get it right, but it’s worth it.
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There are plenty of places to have sex that can make things more exciting. The coffee table after a nightcap. The office desk after a long day of work. The couch on a lazy Sunday afternoon. But if you’ve ever smacked your head on the kitchen cabinet while getting frisky on the countertop (raises hand), then you know these locations leave something to be desired.
That’s where dedicated sex furniture comes in. This is furniture designed to make sex the best it can be, and I am here for it.
Whether you’re looking to spice up your cozy studio apartment or going all out and building yourself a sex room, there’s a piece of sex furniture to suit pretty much anything you can think of. So, let’s dive in!
Why Do You Need Sex Furniture?
There are so many reasons to invest in sex furniture. To spice things up, to achieve something that a bed just can’t provide, or to help with mobility issues. Apart from bringing something new into your play sessions, the best sex furniture makes certain positions easier and more pleasurable. In fact, some positions are only possible with sex furniture, so get ready to expand your repertoire!
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6 Sex Furniture Types to Have Sex On
1. Sex Pillows
These simple and non-intimidating sex aids are great for finding just the right position without putting strain on your body.
They usually come in wedge shapes and are great for missionary positions (vaginal or anal), doggy-style, and even cunnilingus. You can position the pillow under the receiving partner for easier access and more relaxing and pleasurable sex for everyone involved!
2. Sex Chaises, Chairs, and Couches
If you’re looking for a classy and discreet option, sex chaises and couches are the way to go. They’re designed to make new, exciting positions achievable in a way that a bed never could. Plus, they just look like fancy furniture, so your in-laws will be none the wiser!
Sex chairs, on the other hand, come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and purposes but are most often used for receiver-on-top positions. Some, also called sex stools or sex thrones, are wonderful for giving oral pleasure, with the giver positioned under the chair.
3. Sex Swings
Sex swings are an amazing way to make gravity work for you rather than against you! Usually, the receiving partner will be suspended in the air while the giving partner swings them back and forth instead of thrusting, but you can have two people jump in too!
This is especially great for people with mobility issues since it puts far less strain on your muscles and joints. Plus, it’s a fun way to explore your bodies in ways you never could on a bed!
Don’t worry if you don’t have the option of a permanent installation. There are door-mounted options, as well as free-standing frames that can be packed away when you’ve had your fun!
4. Sex Benches and Ramps
You can think of a sex ramp as a full-body version of a sex pillow. It’s designed to support your whole upper body and take all the strain out of sex so you can get down to what’s really important - enjoying yourselves!
A sex bench is pretty much what would happen if a massage table were designed by a kinkster. They’re intended for BDSM play and are usually designed with bondage and spanking in mind, so strap in and enjoy the ride!
5. Sex Toy Mounts
Sex furniture isn’t only for couples! If you've got yourself a dildo and want to make your solo play even better (or want to put on a show for your partner), a sex toy mount could be just the thing. They’re designed to hold a dildo or vibrator in place while you climb on and ride to your heart’s content.
6. Sex Machines
If a sex toy mount doesn’t quite do the trick, a sex machine almost certainly will! These machines simulate the thrusting of penetrative sex. Just attach your favorite dildo and let the machine do the work!
You can adjust the speed and stroke length, and some models even have dual attachment points, so you and your partner can enjoy it together!
If you’ve ever been bored in the bedroom, wished you could try that one exciting position, or wanted sex just to be easier, sex furniture could very well be the answer.
There’s so much to explore and so much to gain. And once you dive in, you’ll never look at a chaise lounge the same way again!
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Although having an orgasm is not the end all be all when it comes to great sex, it doesn't stop us from desiring to have them, whether alone or with a partner. One trip to the land of the Big O is awesome. Two.. three trips? That sounds too good to be true. But, orgasms of this kind are not just some mythical folklore. In fact, having multiple orgasms is very possible, and you can do it too.
Generally, multiple orgasms refer to a pleasure-seeker climaxing more than once in a single session. They are more common in vulva owners—15% of people with a vagina consistently experience multiple orgasms. Not everyone with a vulva experiences this, though, even though most have the capacity to do so. And how about penis-having folks? They could, but not so “ejaculatory.” More like dry orgasms from prostate or nipple stimulation.
After all, there are different types of orgasms up for grabs. Studies show that women are quicker to climax and much prefer to do it alone. Fourteen out of 15 vulva owners orgasm from masturbation before sex, according to the same report above. Plus, 25.2% of female pleasure-seekers who masturbated solo took 2-3 minutes to climax. It’s easy to see why. You know your body best. And without pressure to “perform” or “give” to a partner, you can focus on your pleasure and the sensations.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t orgasm during partnered play. Being with your partner could make things hotter, helping you orgasm more.
As a disclaimer, there is no step-by-step process as each body is different. Therefore, what feels good to one person might not feel good to you. So take these tips as a roadmap that you can adjust to your preferences.
5 Ways to Reach Multiple Orgasms Alone
1. Tone your pelvic floor muscle
Strong pelvic floor muscles = stronger orgasms.
You need to do a bit of groundwork for mind-blowing orgasms. It’s not just all about sex. Like most things in life, you need to sow and do some work before you can harvest rewards. In this case, your seeds are Kegel exercises.
How to do Kegel exercises:
- Find the most comfortable position for you. For example, you can sit comfortably or lie on your back.
- Engage your pelvic muscles by squeezing them 10 to 15 times: clench, then release.
- Hold the “clench” for 2 seconds before releasing it.
- If you’re unsure, the feeling is similar to holding your pee.
- Slowly increase the intensity or repetitions over time. Walk before you run.
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2. Relax and take a break in between
A refractory period is a time your body recovers after an orgasm. So there is really a “break time” because, uh, biology. That said, some vulva owners can orgasm one after the other with no refractory period. But for most of us, a little breather is necessary. Literally.
Don’t forget to breathe. Not breathing could impact the likelihood of climaxing for the second or third time. That little break should give your body enough time to reset while not stopping the arousal. You can stimulate other erogenous zones of your body, switch positions or maybe take a sip of a glass of water.
3. Try a different kind of stimulation
An orgasm could make your clitoris extra sensitive. During these times, some can’t bear their pleasure button to be touched. This is the perfect opportunity to experiment and switch stimulation. Play with your breasts, nipples, inner thighs, perineum, etc.—the sky's the limit, and it’s totally up to you.
Sensation play might also be something you’d want to explore to add spice to the session. Trying something new always makes solo sessions more fun. If your clitoris is not too sensitive and clitoral stimulation is what gets you off, you can apply different techniques as well.
Some examples are:
- Rubbing - Slide your fingers up and down or back and forth across the clit or clitoral hood.
- Tapping - Tap the clit and hood as fast (or slow) as you like.
- Circling - Draw circles around the clit and hood, including the labia along the way.
- Pinching - Pinch your clitoral hood in between your first two fingers and gently tug it up and down.
- Grinding - Grind your pelvis on something—your pillow, the sheets… and so on.
4. Concentrate on your breathing
Breathwork is key to multiple orgasms (and orgasms in general). It clears your mind so that you can stay in the moment. Your body is super connected to your mind. When you’re stressed, it could impact your ability to orgasm. So breathe slowly and deeply as you orgasm.
As your body nears climax and your arousal levels peak, your body will naturally incline to switch to short, huffy breaths. Fight that urge. Continue breathing slowly. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth (like when meditating). This breathing technique is a great way to enhance the sensation.
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5. Bring out the toys
Adding a sex toy or two elevates the sexploration, making the entire experience more pleasurable for you during solo play (plus with your partner during sex). Almost half of the female participants from a study were revealed to be multi-orgasmic when they use sex toys to aid their sexual activities. So, why not?
These sex toys could help vulva owners achieve multiple orgasms:
- Doxy Die Cast - A wand massager that packs a lot of power and sends deep, rumbly vibrations to your clit and various erogenous zones.
- Lelo Soraya Wave - A top-shelf rabbit vibrator that provides both clitoral and internal stimulation. The insertable arm is powered by their patented WaveMotion tech that feels like you’re being expertly fingered… by a vibrator.
- Lovense Lush 3- A wearable egg vibrator perfect for public and long-distance partnered play. Of course, you can also enjoy it solo by connecting it to your smartphone to enjoy customizing vibration patterns, music syncing, and sound-activation functions.
- We-Vibe Tango X- One of the most powerful bullet vibrators with 7 rumbly vibration patterns and 8 adjustable speeds to give you a variety of sensations. Plus, it’s super portable and easy to hide.
- Satisfyer Pro 2- A budget-friendly clitoral stimulator that creates changes in air pressure to deliver pleasure. You get 11 levels of intensity, so you can find a configuration that gives you multiple orgasms without putting anything inside yourself. Plus, it works underwater.
Practice makes perfect
Rome wasn’t built in a day. So if you didn’t orgasm multiple times after your first few tries, don’t lose hope. It takes practice to be better at something—including multiple orgasms.
The more you train, the easier it will be for you to achieve your second, third, fourth (and so on) orgasm.
Orgasmed or did not, multiple or just one—NO PRESSURE. It’s not a requirement or an end goal.
If you enjoyed the journey, then it was a success. The best part? You can always keep trying.
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Minds. Letters. Your favorite restaurants. These are only some of the things that are best when open. Apparently, relationships now belong to that list. While Millennials and Gen Zs are engaging more in this type of relationship, it is not just a trend today. Open relationships date back since time immemorial and have been a part of different cultures around the globe. But what, exactly, are open relationships? And most importantly, is it for you (and your partner/s)?
“Open relationship” is an umbrella term encapsulating other forms of nonmonogamous relationships like:
- Polyamory - A practice and philosophy of loving multiple people simultaneously—intimately and romantically.
- Monogamish - Two people in a primary relationship but open to others strictly sexually.
- Swinging - A social practice of swapping sexual partners or joining group sexual activities as a shared bonding experience of a coupled relationship.
- Relationship Anarchy - A relationship approach that rejects rules and expectations. Instead, the people involved will follow their core values (not social norms) to navigate the relationship.
If you’re one of the 26% of Americans interested in having an open relationship, there are general guidelines, boundaries, and agreements to consider before you swing (heh) your shot.
There’s no non-negotiable, all-encompassing “rule” to follow as each individual and relationship differs. Still, establish ways to ensure you practice ethical nonmonogamy and provide emotional safety for all parties involved.
1.Do it for the right reasons.
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Start by identifying what an open relationship means for you. First, look internally—why are you interested in opening your relationship? People enter this type of arrangement for various reasons, like exploring their sexuality, a kink or fantasy, or mismatched libidos, among others.
Whatever your reason is, you shouldn’t start an open relationship to solve the problems of your current relationship or fill your dissatisfaction with it. Kicking off a nonmonogamous relationship for the wrong reasons builds a shaky base. And what does that do to an unstable foundation? It will easily topple over.
2.Honesty is key.
Honesty is the baseline of trust for any form of relationship—open or not. It means never lying, never hiding the truth, and never omitting or misdirecting from the fact INTENTIONALLY. And it’s even more imperative in a relationship involving more than two people. Being honest facilitates healthy and open communication for a functional relationship.
You need to be able to talk openly and have confidence in the person’s authenticity, transparency, and straightforwardness.
3.Always talk about your relationship.
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Open relationships are neither novel nor rare—with 4% of Americans in open relationships and 20% of them having entered open relationships at some point in their lives, according to the same report above. Hence, it should be a topic you can discuss freely, especially with your partner/s. Communication isn’t a one-time, done deal. Set a schedule and space for these communications, like a date night or staycation to nurture the relationship.
Also, determine which and how much detail to convey. Some people want to know Every. Single. Detail, while others prefer to be left in the dark on some information.
4.Identify each other’s emotional boundaries.
Emotional boundaries are hard to define and set. Still, they should be discussed. The concept of feelings is complex. And while couples often turn to a “No Emotions Allowed” rule, you might be setting yourselves up for failure as—as cheesy as it sounds—you can’t know for sure who you’re going to fall in love with.
But you can take baby steps. Start by discussing these two questions:
- Can you have sex without developing feelings for the other person?
- If you do, how will you and your primary partner address that situation?
5.Set sexual boundaries.
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And be explicit and specific while you’re at it. Set sexual boundaries in your open relationship by defining the following:
- Which sex acts are on or off limits?
- When or how do you display affection?
- How often can sex occur (weekly, monthly, or so on)?
- How many partners at a time and where?
- Is penetrative sex okay? How about oral sex and kissing?
- Will sex toys be used and shared?
I know. It gets weirdly specific and personal. But you should clarify all these stipulations and logistics before going forth and unleashing your sexual vigor out there.
6.Practice safe and consensual sex.
Aside from the emotional baggage involved (or not) during sexual activities, sexual boundaries also center around sexual risk management. You and your partner will engage in sexual acts with multiple people, which translates to higher chances of contracting STIs. But you can protect yourself by establishing safe sex guidelines. And always ensuring everything is with CONSENT for all parties involved.
For example, make sure you use condoms. Simple, readily available, and effective—when used correctly. In fact, nonmonogamous individuals are more likely to use condoms and get tested for HIV and other STIs. Great!
7.Allot time to check in with your partner.
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Regular check-ins with your primary partner are ideal to ensure they’re nurtured, respected, and excited in the aspect of open relationships, especially when it’s new. Over time, you can make these check-ins less frequent when you and your partner get into the swing of things.
And (!) don’t forget your secondary partner(s) as well. All parties in the relationship should feel comfortable, respected, and cared for.
8.Jealousy is your enemy.
Ahh, jealousy. The elephant in the room.
Jealousy is often the crux of open relationships. And that’s normal because humans have feelings, needs, and wants. Some also assume people in open relationships don’t have the right to be jealous. That’s a no-no. These feelings are entirely valid, and you can work through them.
This is where everything comes in full circle—you’d need that trust, honesty, and open communication to cope with jealousy. Reevaluate your needs and boundaries as an individual and as a couple. Then, you can build a healthy and happy relationship if you work through it with your partner.
There are many nuances to people, relationships, and emotions. Continue educating yourself more on practicing ethical nonmonogamy if it’s something you want to practice.
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