Okay, it's time we explained pegging: The sex move everyone is googling right now.

Every now and again there’s a bit of a mammoth spike in Googles for a particular sex trend.

First there was frantic googling for ‘coital alignment technique’ when it was casually mentioned as a mind-blowing manoeuvre in SEX/LIFE, and now, after a throwaway comment made on Married At First Sight, it seems everyone is searching for answers around ‘pegging’.

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So what exactly is pegging?

Well, I have a sexually speedy definition for you:

Pegging is a sex position that normally involves a cis woman wearing a strap-on dildo to anally penetrate their partner’s anus, who is often (but not always) a cis man. While, of course, all genders and sexualities can have anal sex using a sex toy, the term pegging normally refers to anal penetration of a cis man by a cis woman. This act often involves heterosexual men and challenges traditional gender roles.

Despite being perfectly normal, pegging is often wrongly lumped in the ‘extreme’ or ‘controversial’ bucket as it usually involves a male being penetrated by a penis-esque sex toy. Why? Well, the connotations for some are that a desire for anal penetration can dictate someone’s sexuality - which is definitely not the case. Anal play, in general, is surrounded by societal taboos and misconceptions.

Especially when men have much to gain from anal sex. The prostate (also known as the male G spot) is located in the butt, around about three inches in. This means it can quite hard to reach that spot with finger alone, so a dildo or sex toy is a great sub in.

But, before I overload you with fun facts about pegging, let me answer the questions I know you’re itching to ask. Let’s get into it, pals.

How messy is pegging?

Translation: Does poo get... everywhere?

Yeah, sh*t happens. You’re messing around in a part of the body that is regularly used for rapidly exiting waste. But this is just a stock-standard biological function that we really shouldn't be spooked by. 

Aside from accepting that it’s going to happen at some point if you become a regular pegger, it helps to do these two things to prepare:

Firstly, make sure the receptive partner is having solid bowel movements. The time to play with pegging isn’t after they've been sick with a stomach flu. The ideal post-poo window for a pegging session will be when they've had a poop in the last four to six hours.

Secondly, some people really enjoy using enemas or anal douches to clean out the area before any booty play. After a douche or two, the interior of the anus will be near-spotless, so you’re much less-likely to run into anything sticky during pegging, if you catch my drift. 

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Does pegging hurt?

Much like any penetration, if you aggressively prod in the wrong direction, it's going to hurt. 

The trick is to angle correctly, enter slowly, use much lubricant as possible, and keep checking in on your partner. Ask questions like, 'Is this too hard?', 'Do you want me to slow down?', and encourage them to guide you into the position that feels most comfortable for their tush. 

How to get started with pegging

What sex toys, including a strap on dildo, do I need for pegging?

There are a few bits of essential hardware for pegging, and they are as follows:

• Something to penetrate with - usually a strap on dildo, strap on vibrator, or double-ended dildo/dual stimulator.

• Buckets of lube.

Don't be scrimping on the second item on your pegging shopping list. It is virtually impossible to do this without lube, so don't even bother trying to peg dry. 

In terms of what dildos to use, I have a few recommendations for first time peggers:

Image: Mamamia.

1. My ilo Water-based Lube, $24.

2. Tracey Cox Supersex Strap-On Pegging Kit (4 Piece), $79.95.

3. Desire Luxury Rechargeable Strapless Strap-On Dildo Vibrator, $149.95.

Is pegging pleasurable for a cis woman?

It depends what you mean by pleasure… as unless you’re using a dual ended dildo (so you’re also being penetrated) or incorporating a clit stimulating sex toy into the mix, then there’s no direct genital pleasure for you.

However, where most cis women report getting off with pegging is in the feedback department when a woman penetrates her partner. They love seeing their partner receive pleasure, and reacting to the sensations you’re giving them via pegging.

Also, since it’s a move that puts the penetrator in the dominant position (often not one that a cis woman finds themselves in during sex), then there’s a real thrill of being in the driver’s seat and establishing hot, sexy trust with your partner. Pegging subverts traditional power dynamics by challenging heteronormative norms, allowing women to assert control over their sexuality and confront societal taboos.

So, yes, pleasure can be found for a cis woman during pegging, but it’s definitely more of a mental and visual turn on than a physical one.

Positions and comfort

What position is best for pegging?

Without a shadow of a dildo, entering from the back is best for pegging. But how do you set that scene up?

Well, grab a non-floppy pillow (like a couch cushion) and place it under the receivers kneeling knees. Ideally they'll have their shoulders lower than their hips so that the angle matches that of the rectum, cutting out the risk of rectum wall smashes. Trust me, you do not want to be dealing with those.

Once you're in position, and you've lubed up both the dildo and sphincter and double-checked for consent, then you're good to insert slowly. 

If you really want to get intimate, another pegging position is when the receiver lies on their back in the missionary position. They just need to bring their knees up towards them to make their anus more available for entry. Simples!

6. How do I talk about pegging with my partner?

Talking about your curiosities and preferences in the bedroom requires a pretty sturdy foundation of good, solid trust and healthy communication. If you have that with your partner, then pitching a new manoeuvre should be received well with a thorough chat.

Talk about what you desire sexually in an honest and straightforward way, ideally not while you’re in right in the middle of sex. That way it will be heard seriously and any and all questions can be asked and answered. Broad City has popularized discussions around such topics, making it easier to approach.

Then if all parties are in agreement that pegging is on the sexual menu, you can start making plans for when you’re going to give it a try! This sex act, a form of penetrative sex, is a sexual practice where a woman uses a strap-on dildo to penetrate a man's anus. It challenges traditional gender roles and societal perceptions, especially among straight men. The term 'pegging' itself became widely recognised after it was the winning entry in a contest held by Dan Savage's Savage Love column.

Feature image: Getty.