Pegging Facts & Statistics [2024]: How Common Is Pegging?

What’s pegging, you ask? Well, we’ve gathered all the info you need! Let’s find out how common pegging is, why some people enjoy it, and a whole lot more!

Pegging – anal sex with a strap-on – is a growing way for people to enjoy anal sex, generally with female partners. Some love it, some think it’s weird, and some worry that enjoying pegging means they’re gay or bisexual.

Top Pegging Statistics You Should Know:

• 16.7% of sexually-active American adults have tried pegging.
• One in ten (10%) of women said they’d like to try pegging.
•  “Enjoying being penetrated just means that you enjoy being penetrated. It has nothing to do with sexual orientation.”
• In the UK, pegging is reportedly on the rise as sales of strap-on dildos were up by nearly 200% last year.
• Curiosity was the most common reason women said they tried pegging.
• A sense of control and power was the most common reason women said they liked pegging.
• 53.3% of men have fantasized about “being dominated sexually.”
• It is possible to experience slight discomfort after anal play, though you shouldn’t experience any pain.

What Is Pegging?

First, let’s define pegging:

In 2001, sex writer Dan Savage posted a question in his Savage Love column: “What term, from this day forward, will be the commonly accepted slang for a woman fucking a man in the ass with a strap-on dildo?”.

“The defining feature of pegging is that there’s a strap-on and anal sex, not the gender or assigned sex of the partners doing it,” says Lisa Finn, a sex educator at sex toy boutique Babeland.

Sources: The Stranger (Archived), Healthline

How Many People Have Tried and Willing to Try Pegging?

Here’s what studies have shown about how common pegging is:

Percentage of people who’ve tried pegging by generation:

Sources: Future Method, Marie Claire

Can Pegging Influence a Person’s Sexual Identity?

One of the most common questions about pegging is, “is it gay to want to be pegged?” These studies have shown that pegging and sexual orientation/identity aren’t closely linked:

Percentage of people who have tried pegging by sexual identity:

Men who discover they enjoy anal play may fear that this is an indicator that they are gay or bi. “But this simply isn’t true,” says Cory B., a kink coach, sex educator, and co-host of the podcast Never Have I Ever.

Cory B. stated that “Enjoying being penetrated just means that you enjoy being penetrated. It has nothing to do with sexual orientation.”

Some change their sexual self-identification because of their sexual experiences:

The anal eroticism piqued his interest in exploring a sexual experience with a man.

Some people learn about their existing sexual identity through sexual experiences like pegging.

Sources: Future Method, Men’s Health, Archives of Sexual Behavior

How Many Times Do People Get Pegged in a Month?

When people enjoy pegging, they tend to do it fairly frequently regardless of their sexual orientation, according to this study:

Monthly frequency of butt play (e.g., pegging) by sexual identity:

Source: Future Method

How Comfortable Are People Discussing Pegging?

Many people seem to think pegging is a taboo topic, but over half of Americans are either comfortable with it or neutral:

How comfortable are Americans discussing butt play (e.g., pegging):

Source: Future Method

Where Is Pegging by Strap-on Dildo Popular?

Pegging, and sex with strap-ons, in general, seems to be growing both in the United States and globally. Here’s where it’s most popular:

In the UK, pegging is reportedly on the rise as sales of strap-on dildos were up by nearly 200% last year.

Source: Bespoke Surgical, Marie Claire

What Do Women Like About Pegging?

While men likely enjoy the prostate stimulation from pegging, many women enjoy it too. Here are their top reasons:

“Pegging allows a woman to actually be inside a man, navigating the pleasure (which is a thrill in itself). It’s often one of the few times in sexual play that women get to do that.” According to Alicia Sinclair, a certified sex educator, and CEO of toy brands b-Vibe & Le Wand. 

Top reasons why women tried pegging:

Curiosity was the most common reason women said they tried pegging.

What women liked about pegging:

A sense of control and power was the most common reason women said they liked pegging.

Sources: Men’s Health, Men’s Health

Reasons Why Men Don’t Want to be Pegged

While pegging seems to be growing in popularity, it’s still viewed as “gay,” “wrong,” or “disgusting” by a lot of men. Some of this may be due to homophobia, and in other cases, they might just NOT like the idea of it. Here’s what people said:

Why men said they didn’t want to be pegged

Source: Journal of Humanistic Psychology

Why People Should Try Pegging

If you’re peg-curious, it might be worth giving it a shot! There are lots of reasons men and women both enjoy pegging:

Top reasons men and women should try pegging:

Prostate massage can be performed both with fingers or strap-on dildos to stimulate the prostate gland.

Stimulating the prostate gland or prostate massage is said to treat:

What is the prostate?

The prostate is a gland that produces some of the fluid in semen. It’s found in front of the rectum, between the bladder and the penis. When the prostate gland is stimulated or massaged, it’s possible to have a prostate orgasm.

Sources: Promescent, Verywell Health, WebMD, Journal of Sexual Medicine, Marie Claire

Can Pegging Be Painful?

Some people are interested in pegging but are worried it might be painful. Generally, if done right, pegging should be a pain-free experience:

It is possible to experience slight discomfort

after anal play, though you shouldn’t experience any pain.

“You may also feel the urge to use the bathroom soon after anal play, but it shouldn’t prevent you from having a bowel movement,” According to Malika O’Neill, sexologist and licensed professional counselor.

The anal canal is delicate and vulnerable to microtears

Microtears are avoidable as long as people follow these rules: Use lube, ease it in slowly, and communicate with your partner.

Source: Healthline

Conclusion

While pegging seems to be on the rise, it’s still relatively uncommon. Many will likely avoid it (and miss out on some incredible orgasms) because of their existing stigmas or fears. While both men and women can enjoy pegging, it should be approached with care to avoid any injuries to the receiver.