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.
A Beginner's Guide to Pegging
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 In Sex?
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 Straight Men Enjoy Getting Pegged?
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.
How To Ask Your Partner If You Could Try Pegging
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.
A Beginner's Guide To Pegging: 7 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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Exclusive: Dreka Gates Talks Farm Life, Self-Mastery, And Her Wellness Brand
Dreka Gates is making a name in wellness through authenticity and innovativeness. Although we were introduced to her as a music manager for her husband, Kevin Gates, she has now carved out her own lane outside of music as a wellness entrepreneur. But according to Dreka, this is nothing new.
In an xoNecole exclusive, the mom of two opened up about many things, including starting her wellness journey at 13 years old. However, a near-death experience during a procedure at 20 made her start taking her health more seriously.
“There's so many different levels, and now, I'm in a space of just integrating all of this good stuff that I've learned just about just being human, you know?” Dreka tells us. “So it's also fun because it's like a journey of self-discovery and self-mastery. That's what I call it. So it's never-ending.”
Courtesy
If you follow Dreka, then you’re familiar with her holistic lifestyle, as she’s no stranger to promoting wellness, self-care, and holistic living. She even lives part-time on a Mississippi farm, not far from her grandmother and great-grandmother’s farm, where she spent some summers as a child.
While her grandmother and great-grandmother have passed on, Dreka reflects on that time in her life and how having a farm as an adult is her getting back to her roots. “So the farm was purchased back in 2017, and it was like, ah, that'll just be a place where we go when we're not touring or whatever,” she said.
“But COVID hit, and I was there, and I was on the land, and I just started remembering back to going to my grandmother's during the summertime and freaking picking peas and going and eating mulberries off the freaking tree in the bushes.
“And she literally had cotton plants. I know some people feel weird about picking cotton and stuff. She had cotton plants and I would go and pick cotton out of her garden. And she had chickens, and I literally just broke down in tears one day when I was on the farm just doing all the things, and I'm like, ‘Oh my gosh. I'm literally getting back to my roots.”
"I literally just broke down in tears one day when I was on the farm just doing all the things, and I'm like, ‘Oh my gosh. I'm literally getting back to my roots."
You can catch glimpses of Dreka’s farm life on Instagram, which shows her picking fruit and vegetables and loving on her animals like her camel Eessa. Her passion for growing and cultivating led her to try and grow all of her ingredients for her wellness brand, Dreka Wellness. However, she quickly realized that she might be biting off more than she could chew. But that didn’t stop her from fulfilling her vision.
Watch below as Dreka talks more about her business, her wellness tips, breaking toxic cycles, becoming a doula, and more.
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Bi In A Straight-Presenting Relationship? Here’s What To Consider Before Coming Out
I don't know if it was Kehlani's latest tour or Teyana Taylor and Victoria Monét’s sizzling Usher tribute at the BET Awards, but something has sparked a lot of us into a late-in-life bi-awakening. Even Keke Palmer shared that she’s not strictly into men. But let’s be real: admitting you might not be fully straight while already in a relationship with a man? That can be downright terrifying.
Cultural norms and societal expectations can make you second-guess whether you should even speak your truth. The thing is, most bisexual people are in what’s called "hetero-presenting" relationships—meaning, from the outside, it looks like a heterosexual relationship, but in reality, one (or both!) partner(s) may be bisexual. Being bi but appearing straight? It’s more common than you think. This phenomenon makes bi-erasure even more real!
Realizing you’re bisexual while in a hetero-presenting relationship doesn’t automatically mean you want to jump ship. So what now? How do you navigate this revelation and still keep your relationship intact? How do you even bring this up to your boyfriend or husband? And let’s be real—should you come out at all?
'Is Coming Out Even Worth It?'
Coming out can mean showing up more authentically, finding new communities, and maybe even expanding your dating options (depending on what you and your partner agree on, of course).
Many bi folks feel a huge sense of relief after coming out to their partners and loved ones. As sex therapist Shadeen Francis puts it, “This can be an exciting and growth-filled time. People often experience a renewed curiosity about themselves or their relationship, awe about their sexuality, and a deeper interest in or appreciation for their partner.” In fact, your bi-awakening might even bring you closer to your partner. Vulnerability in a safe, supportive relationship can really deepen your connection.
Shadeen also points out that “partners can be inspired to explore themselves more deeply. While it may not always be about sexuality, one person’s self-discovery often sparks reflection for those around them, including spouses.” In other words, honesty breeds emotional closeness.
What If Things Go Left?
It’s important to keep in mind that not every coming out story is all sunshine and rainbows. Coming out as bisexual while in a heterosexual relationship is a deeply personal experience that can shake up everything you thought you knew about yourself. For Black women, this journey is even more layered. “Cultural upbringing, race, and religion can all influence how you discover, accept, and navigate your new sexual identity,” explains certified sex educator Taylor M. Akers.
Realizing you're bisexual can be both liberating and terrifying. The fear of how your partner, family, or community might react can bring up waves of anxiety and self-doubt. You might wonder if you’re risking the safety of your relationship or your sense of belonging. And let’s be real, if your partner or your people don’t vibe with bisexuality, it can trigger feelings of rejection and leave you feeling misunderstood.
As Taylor Akers points out, the idea of coming out can even activate your survival instincts. “They may fear losing the security of their current relationship and the stability it provides. Feelings of rejection could arise, leading to anxiety or depression, especially if their spouse, family, or social circle culturally disagrees or is indifferent to bisexuality. That can feel unsafe and threatening to one’s sense of self and identity.”
While those fears and risks are real, it's important to remember that without risk, there can be no reward. Stay rooted in your 'why' when navigating the tough parts of these conversations, and remember that those who truly love you will want you to express yourself fully.
How To Navigate the Conversation
Once you've decided that coming out is worth it because you want to be fully seen for who you are, think carefully about when and how to tell your partner. Timing is everything—avoid dropping this potentially relationship-shifting conversation when they’ve just woken up or walked in from work. Sex Therapist Kamil Lewis suggests, “I recommend having the conversation at a low-stress time, maybe over dinner, after watching a show together, or during a light conversation about your relationship.”
Once you’ve picked your moment, connect with your support system! Whether the conversation goes smoothly or takes a turn, you’ll want someone on standby—whether to celebrate with or to lean on. Kamil adds, “If a close friend or family member knows about your bisexuality, let them know when you plan to talk to your partner. That way, they can offer support, no matter the outcome.”
When it’s time to talk, here’s a pro tip: keep the focus on your own experience. Sex therapist Shadeen Francis advises, “Share your feelings using ‘I’ statements, like ‘I’ve realized’ or ‘I feel.’ Then, listen to your partner’s reactions without judgment.” It’s important not to expect any specific response—they might need time to process before they can fully express how they feel. And above all, if you’re committed to the relationship, say so! As Shadeen points out, “It can be reassuring for your partner to hear, as many assume this means you want to break up.”
This conversation might also turn into a teaching moment. In a world shaped by compulsory heterosexuality, your partner might not fully grasp what “coming out” as bisexual means. So, open that notes app and jot down your thoughts ahead of time. Think about what specifically you want to share—and don’t hesitate to practice the conversation beforehand.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, deciding whether to come out as bisexual while in a relationship with a man is a deeply personal choice, but it’s also one that can combat the erasure of bisexual identities. As we’ve explored, this journey can be both liberating and anxiety-inducing. Bisexuality is often misunderstood or overlooked, especially in hetero-presenting relationships, and coming out can be a powerful way to affirm your truth—not just for yourself, but for others who may feel unseen.
Whether it’s the joy of being more authentically known, the emotional closeness that honesty can bring, or the fear of potential rejection, remember that there’s no one right way to navigate this.
If you feel ready to share this part of yourself, consider the timing and approach with care, lean on your support system, and speak from the heart. And if the conversation takes an unexpected turn? Give your partner space to process, but also let them know your commitment to the relationship remains intact. This isn't just about coming out—it’s about resisting erasure, embracing your full self, and nurturing the love and connection you've already built.
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