The Psychology of Pegging
The Psychology of Pegging
The Psychology of Pegging
An exploration of the desires and motivations behind pegging, from the perspective of the receptive partner.
Pegging falls under the broader category of strap-on sex, which includes vaginal or anal penetration using a strap-on dildo. Reports suggest that strap-on sales have surged in recent years, and curiosity around strap-on play is thriving.
While “pegging” typically refers to a woman penetrating a man with a strap-on, the act itself—penetrating an anus with a dildo—is not inherently tied to gender. Yet the heterosexual framing is often an important part of the fantasy’s appeal.
The term "pegging" was popularised by sex advice columnist (and one of my favourite podcasters) Dan Savage way back in 2001, after it was noted that there wasn't really a name for this specific flavour of strap-on sex.
And it is an extremely popular fantasy. Dr. Justin Lehmiller’s large-scale survey of sexual fantasies found that nearly 60% of men reported fantasizing about receiving anal sex, and around 40% of women reported fantasies about giving it. Only a fraction have acted on those fantasies, but the interest is clearly there.