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Pull up to my bumper baby

First things first: if you’re here because you enjoy the feeling of anal play and you’re keen to explore your back passage further, you go girl. There is no shame in self pleasure and if it feels good, it’s OK to keep doing it.

Your derrière is packed with thousands of tingly nerve endings and many people find that gently massaging or probing this area feels delightful. Provided you’re all consenting adults, it’s perfectly OK to enjoy a little bit of what you fancy.

That said, it is worth mentioning that, unlike the vagina, the anal canal is not self-lubricating, so it is advisable to use plenty of lube before you proceed (we rate this water-based anal lubricant). Ready to party? Let’s get stuck in...

The clue is in the name. A butt plug is designed to literally plug into your anal orifice for pleasure. ‘A butt plug is a sex toy that is usually shaped like a teardrop,’ says Kelly Gordon, creative head at Hot Octopuss. ‘It has a wider end to ensure that it stays in position and doesn’t go further into the anus. A butt plug can be used by anyone with an anus and is often used in partnered sex.’ But the fun doesn’t stop there! Butt plugs come in all shapes and sizes including silicone, rubber, glass, metal, vibrating, and you can even transform your butt into a swishing pony! So shop around until you find the plug that fits.

Butt plugs can be great for partnered sex if you enjoy that double-penetration feeling and solo play if you’re simply in the mood. Or maybe you’re ready to progress to a real life penis? If so, a well-chosen butt plug can be a great introduction to anal play for beginners too.

‘For penis-owners, butt plugs are a great way to stimulate the prostate and the surrounding nerves,’ says Kelly. ‘And for vulva-owners adding a butt plug can provide extra stimulation to the A spot and the G Spot. Butt plugs also feel great when used in conjunction with partnered penetrative sex for dual penetration and can also be worn to stretch or train the anus,’ she adds.

If your male partner has expressed a desire to experiment with butt plugs and you’re on the fence, roll with it! Men have a multitude of nerve endings up the bum that make it feel exceptionally good. And if he really likes it, you can graduate to a strap-on and start pegging – which is great for role play and power reversal, so don’t be afraid to get stuck in.

New to anal play? The following tips for beginners will help:

From vibrating probes to stainless steel fox tails, keep scrolling for our pick of the best butt plugs for women to buy now...

The only thing better than a butt plug is a butt plug that vibrates! And this ass-seeking silicone missile comes with three speed settings and 17 vibration patterns to buzz your back passage to ecstasy. It also features a handy flared base so it won't get lost up there, plus it's waterproof. Just don't forget the lube – This long-lasting formula enriched with jojoba is excellent for relaxing tight sphincters.

Type: Vibrating butt plug Material: Silicone What's included: Silicone plug and USB charging cable.

Thanks to well-placed bulges along its shaft, this hybrid sex toy from UK brand Godemiche comes with the benefits of a butt plug and anal beads to boot. The tapered tip makes it easy to slip inside, while the nobbles provide delightful pressure on the way in (and out). And to prove that anal play can be cute, it also comes in a range of adorable pastel hues, plus two sizes so you can work up to the main event.

Type: Silicone butt plug and anal beads Material: 100% platinum silicone What's included: Choose from a large or small silicone butt plug.

If you're new to the world of anal play and not yet sure what tickles your fancy, this beginner-friendly butt plug kit is a great place to start. It includes everything you'll need for first-time bum fun including three different shaped plugs to experiment with plus a handy douche for pre-party prepping. The party starts here! Just add lube.

Type: Butt plug kit Material: PVC What's included: 3 butt plugs and 1 anal douche nozzle.

Let's be honest ladies: great sex is messy, impulsive and fun. And if you're in a spontaneous mood and don't know what's on the agenda tonight, you want your sex toys to follow suit. This clever little device comes with a flexible base that bends up to 90° in any direction, plus a remote control. So you can explore your wildest fantasies in a variety of positions without having to stop and adjust the settings.

Type: Vibrating butt plug Material: Silicone What's included: Butt plug, remote control, travel pouch and USB charging cable.

Sure, smooth butt plugs slip in nicely and feel delicious inside. But add a few bulbs and ridges into the mix and a world of pleasure awaits. We love this nifty little toy that's graduated in size so you can build up to full insertion, while the flared base will ensure it doesn't get lost up there (you'd be surprised...) Simply add lube, gently pop it inside and see where the beads take you.

Type: Flexible beaded butt plug Material: PVC What's included: Butt plug featuring four inches of insertable length.

Groping around in the dark can be sexy as hell, but there's nothing worse than losing your fave sex toy down the back of the sofa in the heat of the moment. Good news party people! Now you can transform your anal sex party into a technicolour rave and keep going all night long with these brilliant glow in the dark butt plugs. Can I get a whoop whoop!

Type: Silicone butt plug Material: 100% platinum silicone What's included: Battery-free butt plug! Simply leave it in direct sunlight or under a lamp to make it glow.

If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it! Or, in this case, up it with this fabulous bejewelled butt plug. It comes with a tapered tip for easy insertion, plus the stainless steel element lends itself well to temperature play. But most importantly of all, when you bend over your butt sparkles like a diamond, taking bling ring to a whole new level.

Type: Metal jewelled butt plug Material: Stainless steel What's included: 2.5 inch butt plug with jewelled base.

Fans of Cosplay will love this swishy silver fox tale that will instantly transform your anal sex party into a fierce and fabulous role play session. Simple add lube, slip the stainless steel tapered plug into your ass and swish that tale like a foxy lady.

Type: Metal jewelled butt plug Material: Stainless steel What's included: 2.5 inch butt plug with jewelled base.

If you enjoy the sensation of rimming (AKA getting your ass licked) but you're flying solo tonight, you need to get your hands on one of these clever gadgets. It's shaped like a flattened tongue and includes a motor too, so you get to enjoy the sensation of a delightful buzzy anal-oral session all by yourself. What's more the settings are controlled by the app, so you can create vibration programs based on your Spotify playlist. Butt licking just got futuristic and we are here for it.

Type: Vibrating tongue-shaped anal toy Material: ABS plastic and silicone What's included: Lithium-ion battery and USB magnetic charging cable.

Another funky butt plug from our friends at Godemiche, this party popper is imbedded with glitter to really get in the disco groove! It's also sculpted to complement the shape of your sexy ass, while the wide base will prevent your favourite new disco plug from disappearing up your bum.

Type: Silicone butt plug Material: 100% platinum silicone What's included: All Godemiche toys are non-porous, body safe and hypo-allergenic.

This advanced piece of kit is better suited to experienced anal fans who are ready to take things up a notch. Admittedly it's aimed at men and people with prostates, but anyone with an orifice can get involved. We particularly like the curved shaft, while the bulbous tip really hits the spot. Plus it can be controlled hands-free thanks to the wireless remote control, or pass it to your lover for a bit of ass-based power play... Just don't forget the lube! We're fans of Doc Johnson's Natural Anal Glide.

Type: Vibrating prostate vibrator Material: Silicone What's included: Anal vibe, USB charging cable and remote control.

Another anal probe that takes inspiration from love beads, this fun gadget comes with three tantalising bulges along its shaft to target your secret sweet spots. But what really sets this plug apart is double motors hidden inside both the base and the probe, designed to buzz and pummel your ass into submission. Bring it on.

Type: Vibrating butt plug Material: ABS plastic and silicone What's included: Anal probe, rechargeable Li-ion battery and USB charging cable.

This simple T-shaped device does exactly what is says on the tin and targets your ass with precision focus. What's more, the flared base will prevent you from sucking your new toy into the void, while the three vibration speeds and seven patterns provide just the right amount of buzz to get your juices flowing.

Type: T-bar vibrating butt plug Material: Silicone What's included: Requires 1 x AAA battery (not included).