Pegging is experiencing a bit of a quiet renaissance at the moment.
If you’re not familiar with the act, pegging involves someone who is usually the receiving partner during sex wearing a strap-on dildo, and anally penetrating someone who is usually the penetrating partner. So, if Alex usually penetrates Sam during sex, pegging would mean that Sam is using a strap-on dildo to penetrate Alex.
Often, pegging has been used to refer to someone who identifies as a woman penetrating someone who identifies as a man—but we reckon that pegging is something anyone can try, and enjoy. The possibilities of pegging are open to all!
In this article, we’re going to explain the mechanics of pegging, how and why it can be enjoyable, and we’ll give you a few tips to keep in mind before you begin your own pegging odyssey. We’ll also cover the ever-important health and safety elements of pegging to make sure that your pleasure is as comfortable as possible.
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You might not know this, but the term ‘pegging’ is relatively new. It was coined in 2001 by sex columnist Dan Savage, who put the term and two others to his readers and asked them to vote on their favourite. A short time later, the results were in, and pegging had been officially named—even though it’s likely that the act had emerged much earlier than 2001.
Despite its relative newness, pegging has become enormously popular. Although we couldn’t find many if any reliable sources of statistics on pegging, anecdotally we know that many people find pegging super enjoyable. One qualitative study said that some people who had tried pegging called it a “10 out of 10” and “the best sex [they’d] ever had!”.
We think that this enjoyment comes from two things: one, there can be a sense of taboo around reversing the roles of penetrator and penetratee. Anal sex can feel taboo to begin with, and once you add the idea of role-reversal into it, it can be super exciting! Sometimes it can feel titillating to go against the “usual way” that things are done, and pegging is no exception to that.
Secondly, pegging can also feel super pleasurable for both the giver and the receiver. We reckon anal sex can be enjoyed by everyone, but if you have a prostate then pegging can stimulate that, potentially leading to really pleasurable prostate orgasms. Although pegging may not directly stimulate the giver, we imagine that it can feel really hot to give your partner pleasure in a way that isn’t standard for you.
If you’re keen to try pegging, here are a few useful things to know.
Consent, consent, consent!
As with any sexual activity, consent is absolutely paramount when pegging. Beforehand, we recommend discussing your boundaries and comfort level with your partner, and getting an idea of how you’ll handle things if one person wants to stop, take a break, or switch things up. It’ll also be a good idea to discuss the size of the strap-on you’d like to use, what kind of lube you’ll go with (we recommend ours!), and what your plan is if things are a bit messier than you expect. As always, during the act, maintain communication with your partner and be ready to hit the brakes if they ask you to stop—or if you just sense that they’re not feeling fully comfy.
Get your kit ready
A key component of pegging is a strap-on dildo, or a dildo that you can at least keep secure near your pelvis. As with any anal play, look for something with a flared base: not only will it fit in a strap-on harness if you use one, but the flared base will prevent it from going all the way into your partner’s anus. Apply heaps more lube than you think you’ll need, and keep the bottle handy if you need more!
Find your best position
The mechanics of pegging aren’t too different to the mechanics of other forms of penetrative sex. As long as you and your partner are comfortable, and they’re in a position where they can relax while being anally penetrated, you’re good to go. Some positions you might want to try include:
- The receiving partner lying on their back, with their legs spread
- The receiving partner lying on their front
- ‘Doggy style’: the receiving partner on their hands and knees
- Riding position, with the penetrating partner lying on their back and the receiving partner squatting on top
Ultimately, your position is your preference, although you might want to try some that allow you to stimulate your partner’s erogenous zones while they’re being penetrated—and allow them to stimulate yours!
Keep it safe(r)
There are a couple of things you should keep in mind to make your pegging experience as sexy and safe as possible.
Always use protection, including a barrier method and contraception where possible. Keep in mind that even during pegging and anal play, semen can still get on your hands, body, or toys, and be transferred to the vulva, so although the risk of pregnancy might be reduced it’s still not zero. STIs can still be passed between partners as well, so it’s always important to get tested, talk about your sexual health status, and wear protection where necessary. Before and after you use your strap-on, you should clean it with a body-safe toy cleaner—and remember to clean it between uses as well, if you want to use it on yourself after using it on your partner.
