Wearing a butt plug can feel extremely pleasurable — so pleasurable you might want to keep one in all day. But is it safe to wear an anal plug for hours, or even overnight? The answer isn't exactly black and white. But don't worry, I'm here to help!

In this guide, I break down the risks associated with wearing a butt plug for extended periods and offer tips for maximum safety and enjoyment. I also tell you how to choose the right plug size and shape, and reveal the best anal lubricant for long-term wear.

Let's dive in!

How Long Can You Safely Wear a Butt Plug?

It's important to weigh the risks and benefits associated with extended butt plug wear. Medical experts and sex educators alike suggest restricting use to half an hour at a time. Wearing a plug for more than thirty minutes can result in inflammation, irritation, anal fissures, and hemorrhoids.

Now, these risks certainly aren't guaranteed, and some people (especially those experienced with anal training) can enjoy extended butt plug wear with no obvious side effects.

How do you know exactly how long you can safely wear your plug? Let's look closer at some key factors to consider, including which toy materials are best and how to reduce the chance of risks. 

Learn more: Is My Butt Plug Safe?

The importance of time limits

When you use a butt plug for anal play, it can help to adhere to a time limit. This can prevent damage caused by overstretching your anal muscles or irritating sensitive tissues. The recommended time limit before taking a break is 30 minutes, and exceeding that limit can potentially result in:

• Nerve damage: Prolonged pressure on anal nerves can cause numbness or tingling sensations that could be temporary, or they may persist even after you remove your plug
• Tissue irritation: Wearing a butt plug for too long can irritate delicate skin around the anus, leading to pain and inflammation
• Infection: Poor hygiene practices before and during extended wear sessions can boost your risk of developing infections due to trapped bacteria inside the rectum

Again, these issues don't happen to everyone, even those who don't stick to the 30-minute rule. Furthermore, there are some things you can do (I call them best plug practices) that can greatly reduce risk. Let's discuss some key safety measures, starting with picking the right toy material.

How To Choose The Right Butt Plug Material

The material of your butt plug plays a significant role in ensuring comfort during extended wear. Softer materials like silicone are typically better than harder ones like metal because they provide more flexibility and adapt better to your body's natural movements.

Silicone butt plugs are body-safe, non-porous, and easy to clean. Silicone also has a super soft texture and forgiving flexibility that's ideal for extended wear. While some people prefer hard material plugs made from stainless steel or glass, these materials are very rigid and can be less comfortable for all-day wear. 

Learn: How to Use a Stainless Steel Sex Toy

Selecting butt plug size and shape

Aside from material, it's also important to consider the butt plug's size and shape. If you're new to butt plugs, it's best to begin with a smaller size (this is a good rule to follow regardless of how long you plan to wear the plug!). Additionally, picking a plug with a torpedo shape, like we see in the b-Vibe Snug Plug, can make for easier insertion and a more comfortable fit. 

Watch: Check out my b-Vibe Snug Plug review!

As you gain experience and confidence, you can start exploring larger sizes or different shapes designed for increased pleasure. For example, you might want to experiment with anal beads, which consist of multiple spheres connected together, or a plug-dildo hybrid, which offers more insertable length.

No matter the size and shape you choose, there are two things a butt plug must have to be considered anal safe: a flared base, and a non-porous construction. A flared base ensures that the plug will not slip up inside the rectum, and a non-porous construction allows for a plug to be completely cleaned. 

More: Learn how to pick the butt plug size and shape that's best for you! 

Use Plenty of Lube

When you explore anal play of any kind, lubrication is required to ensure comfort, and avert potential injuries or irritation caused by friction. If you plan on wearing your butt plug throughout the day, it's important to regularly reapply lube. 

Water-based lubricants, in particular, are ideal for silicone butt plugs because, unlike silicone-based lubes, they don't damage the material. Not to mention, they're easy to wash away, which comes in handy if you're planning to remove and re-insert several time a day. 

Learn more: How to Choose A Lube

When you remove your plug with intentions to put it right back in, it's important to clean it and reapply lubricant before re-inserting. There are a few tips you can follow for a seamless and safe experience.

Tips for extended butt plug wear

• Maintain moisture: Reapply lube periodically throughout the day to keep your toy slick and comfortable during long-term wear
• Clean before reapplying: When you remove your plug, be sure to clean both the toy and yourself before applying more lube and reinserting it
• Pack extra supplies: Keep a small bottle of water-based lube on hand in case you need additional applications while away from home - just remember that a little goes a long way
• Keep body wipes handy: Regularly cleaning up excess lube or bodily fluids can prevent infection caused by bacteria buildup. Having body wipes readily available allows you to discreetly address unexpected messes without needing access to a shower

All of these tips can greatly reduce risk and improve your butt plug wearing experience — but when it comes down to it — your body knows best. So, pay attention to your body's signals! 

New to lube? Check out How To Use Lube 

Monitor Your Body's Signals

If you plan to wear your butt plug for an extended period of time, it's important to pay attention to how you feel. Do you notice any sharp pain? Soreness? Itching? Let's take a closer look at how to recognize a problem that may require you to remove your plug immediately, or even seek medical care. 

Recognizing Signs of Discomfort

• Pain: If you experience any pain during butt plug use, remove it immediately. Pain could indicate improper insertion, an issue with the size or shape of the toy, or internal injury
• Irritation: Redness, itching, or swelling around the anus are signs that something isn't right. It could be due to an allergic reaction to the plug's material or lube used, or an indication of poor hygiene
• Numbness: Feeling numb in your anal area after removing a butt plug can signal nerve damage caused by prolonged pressure on sensitive tissues. Take breaks and avoid long-term usage if numbness occurs

When to see a doctor

If you experience severe pain, bleeding, persistent irritation despite discontinuing use of your butt plug, or if you cannot remove it, seek immediate medical assistance. These situations could indicate more serious problems like tears in tissue or infection, which require professional care. 

Remember: safety and pleasure go hand in hand! The better you adhere to safe plug practices, the more you'll be able to enjoy your butt plug, and even work your way up to longer periods of wear.

With that in mind, let's talk about safe ways to slowly increase the amount of time you can comfortably wear your anal plug.

Gradually Increasing Wear Time

If your goal is to work your way up to wearing a butt plug all day, it's best to start slow, and take things one step at a time. This approach (often referred to as anal training) can help you build tolerance and ensure a safe progression towards all-day use.

Not sure how to start? Take a look at the guidelines below.

Build tolerance over time

To safely increase the duration of wearing a butt plug, begin by using it for short periods — perhaps 15-30 minutes at first. As you become more comfortable with the sensation and confident in handling prolonged stimulation, slowly extend the length of time spent wearing the plug.

• Week 1: Start with 15-30 minute sessions once or twice daily
• Week 2: Increase session duration to around an hour per day, if comfortable
• Week 3: Try extending sessions up to two hours daily as tolerated

This schedule reflects a general idea of what anal training looks like for some people, but you should feel free to experiment with what feels best for you body. Remember: your body will tell you what is and isn't working.

No matter how you long you wear your plug, good hygiene is essential. Make sure you clean both yourself and your sex toy after each use. Non-motorized silicone butt plugs can be boiled for an extra-thorough clean, which can be the best cleaning method after long-term wear.

When it comes to anal training, patience is key. Rushing into all-day wear without building tolerance can lead to pain and irritation. Take your time and be gentle with your body.

More: How to Clean Your Sex Toys

Final Thoughts

When it comes to using butt plugs (or any sex toy!), safety is top priority. But that doesn't mean you can't thoroughly enjoy yourself! Just be sure to pay attention to your body's signals, choose body-safe products, and take breaks when you need to.

Before you go, check out the beginner's guide to butt plugs for essential info on anal play, as well as specific product recommendations for all bodies and experience levels. And don't forget to follow Delicto on TikTok and Instagram for more sex toy reviews, tutorials, and sex education.