A Beginner’s Guide to Double Penetration

“Two is better than one” might sound like a worn-out saying (or a band), but when it comes to penetration, it can actually hold true.

Yep — today we’re delving into double penetration (DP).

We hold that pleasure is a core element of a safe, healthy sex life. That’s why we work with experienced writers, educators, and other specialists to offer guidance on everything from technique to toy choice. We only endorse products we truly trust, so if you spot a shop link, rest assured it’s been carefully vetted — if you catch our drift. Wink.

What exactly is double penetration?

The steamy clips (ahem, porn) you’ve stumbled across may have led you to think DP only means someone with a vagina having their anus penetrated by one penis and their vagina by another.

But that’s merely one option among many ways to experience DP.

“Double penetration is any act that involves filling one or more orifices (anus, vagina, or mouth) with any combination of penises, dildos, ball gags (or other toys), fingers, and fists,” says Luna Matatas, a sexuality, body, confidence, and kink educator and creator of Peg the Patriarchy.

To be explicit: There are no prerequisites for trying DP. You don’t need specific genitals or multiple partners to explore it.

“Anyone can explore double penetration,” Matatas adds. “It might be one person double-penetrating someone else, a trio of people, or even a single person penetrating themselves.”

Here’s a nonexhaustive (!) list of situations that all qualify as DP:

• a person with a vagina being vaginally penetrated by a dildo and a penis
• a person with a vagina being penetrated vaginally by a dildo and anally by a penis
• a vulva owner wearing a butt plug during P-in-V
• a person wearing a ball gag while being fisted
• a person wearing a butt plug while using an internal vibrator
• a penis owner performing oral while using anal beads
• a penis owner wearing a ball gag while receiving anal fisting
• a penis owner having two dildos or penises in their anus simultaneously
• a penis owner using two thrusting toys in their anus

Yes — people actually do this

Before reading this, your exposure to DP was probably limited to porn. So you might be wondering: is it really something people practice?

Yes — absolutely.

Once you broaden the definition, you may even realize you’ve tried a form of DP already. (Neat!)

Why do people do it?

Because it can be intensely hot — and intensely pleasurable.

It can feel exceptionally good for the receiver

That makes sense when you break it down.

Vaginal penetration can be pleasurable through internal sensitive spots like the G-spot, A-spot, and C-spot.

Anal penetration can feel good due to the nerve-dense ring at the anus’s entrance and the sensation of fullness.

For folks with prostates, anal play can stimulate the sensitive P-spot. (Prostate and anal orgasms, anyone?)

Oral penetration can be arousing because giving pleasure often turns you on, and there are delicious power dynamics at play.

So whether one opening is receiving extra attention or two are being filled at once, DP can be a wellspring of pleasure.

And pleasurable for the giver, too

Mental dynamics matter: performing DP can create submissive/Dominant roles that make the giver feel gratifyingly powerful.

Physically, DP can produce greater tightness and pressure on body parts than single penetration.

Taboo can be a turn-on

The very thought of doing something “naughty,” unconventional, or forbidden can be a significant arousal trigger for some people.

Daniel T., 39, who often penetrates his boyfriend while the latter wears a ball gag, says, “DP feels incredible for both of us, but I think the taboo nature of double penetration is one of its big draws for me.”

It can fulfill fantasies

For some, DP is the fantasy itself.

For others, DP allows the exploration of fantasies like group sex, consensual role-play involving forced dynamics, and more.

What does DP feel like?

There’s no single DP sensation.

The experience depends on whether it’s solo, partnered, or multi-partnered, whether you’re giving or receiving (or both), which orifices are involved, and what’s being used.

For instance, in a Medium piece by Elle Beau, Beau recounts being vaginally penetrated by two penises simultaneously and describes it as both stretching and thrilling.

“There was an initial sensation of being really stretched, but it almost immediately transformed into a feeling of just being very full, as if one really thick dick was inside me,” Beau wrote. “There’s just a sense of decadent abundance, which is also magnified by the mental turn-on of thinking about what you are doing.”

Cooper T., 24, a trans man who often masturbates with a butt plug and double-ended dildo, says, “It leaves me feeling very full in a gender-euphoric way.”

How to try DP with a partner

If you’re curious, let these steps guide you — not just what you’ve seen in porn.

Discuss specifics thoroughly

Be explicit. Because DP comes in so many forms, simply agreeing to “try it” doesn’t provide enough clarity.

Make sure you cover:

• Who will be double-penetrated?
• Which orifice(s)? With what? In what sequence?
• Which positions do you want to try?
• What pregnancy prevention and STI precautions will you use (if any)?

Get the right gear

Which toys and tools will help you create the DP you want?

If you’d like one partner to penetrate another vaginally and anally at the same time, Matatas suggests the SquareParts Deuce Harness.

“It lets someone with a penis strap on a dildo so they can penetrate a partner with both their penis and a dildo simultaneously,” Matatas notes.

Vulva owners who want to use two dildos can also take advantage of that harness.

Other helpful toys include:

• an anal-safe dildo like the Fun Factory Limba Flex Dildo or the New York Toy Collective Shilo
• a double-ended dildo, like the Fun Factory Sharevibe or the PeaceMaker Double Dildo
• a butt plug, such as the b-Vibe Snug Plug 1, the Tango Plug, or the b-Vibe Rimming Plug
• anal beads like the CalExotics Naughty Bits Butt Balls or the b-Vibe Cinco Vibrating Anal Beads
• a ball gag such as the Padded Pillow Mouth Gag or the Crank Ball Gag
• a harness like the Malibu Thigh Harness or the Tomboi Brief Harness

Important: anything intended for anal use needs a flared base.

Use lots of lubricant — then use more

Even if the orifice might naturally lubricate (hello, vagina), lube is essential.

If you’re using a silicone toy, clinical sexologist Megan Stubbs, EdD, suggests a water-based lube like Sliquid Sassy or Cake Toy Joy.

If you’re not using silicone-safe toys, a thicker silicone lube like Uberlube or pJur Original Silicone can be ideal.

Also: “Remember to reapply lube once you’re in motion,” Matatas advises.

Agree on a safe word

Before you begin, Stubbs recommends choosing a safe word.

“The stoplight system is helpful,” she says. “‘Yellow’ can mean slow down or pause.”

If oral penetration or gags are involved, agree on a nonverbal signal as well — for example, three consecutive thigh taps to indicate stop.

Introduce one penetration at a time…

And now for the main event. Woo!

“Go slowly, and get mentally and physically aroused by the things that usually turn you on,” Matatas suggests. Only then should you begin penetration.

“Start with a single finger or toy before adding a second. When you bring in the second item, move slowly and mindfully. Withdraw if you encounter burning or sharp pain,” she says.

Communicate — a lot

Communicate far more than you think necessary.

Matatas suggests frequent check-ins. You might ask:

• “Are you ready for another [toy/penis/dildo]?”
• “Does this angle or this angle feel better?”
• “How’s this feeling for you?”

How to try DP with multiple partners

DP with two partners follows many of the same rules as with one: talk it out, have lube and toys on hand, move slowly, and keep communicating.

But there are a few extra considerations.

Talk even more beforehand

Stubbs suggests spending additional time discussing STI status and barrier options before play.

Why? Because unless you and both partners are in an ongoing throuple or regularly have threesomes together, one or more partners may be new.

Slow is still the way

“When figuring out positions, people sometimes forget to take it slow and ease in,” Matatas says.

Let the person receiving DP set the tempo for all penetrative actions.

“If you’re using dildos, penises, or larger toys, it can be useful to begin with both partners using fingers to gauge how the receiver responds to pleasure and discomfort,” Matatas recommends.

Try a variety of positions

“Positions can be tricky, especially with more people involved,” Matatas notes.

Some positions to experiment with include:

• doggy style
• rider on top
• 69ing

Be patient

“Double penetration might not work the first time — or the fifth,” Stubbs says. “That’s completely fine. Each attempt teaches you more about your body and what works.”

Enjoy the learning process rather than resenting it.

How to explore DP solo

“There are many ways to try DP on your own,” Matatas says. Plenty of options exist.

For example, “You could use a ball gag in your mouth with a butt plug, flared-base anal beads, or a dildo in your anus,” she suggests. “Or try a U-shaped, double-ended dildo for simultaneous vaginal and anal play.”

Aftercare

When you’re finished, check in on emotional and physical needs — for yourself and any partners.

“Emotionally, DP can be very intense,” Matatas says. “Debrief with your partner(s) about how you felt, what was hot, and what you’d rather not repeat.”

She also recommends listening to your body: “Your orifices may be sore, swollen, or drier than usual.” Aloe-based lube, staying hydrated, and applying Momotaro’s Salve can help.

“If any sharp or persistent pain continues beyond a day or two, contact your healthcare provider,” Matatas advises.

The takeaway

Whether solo, with one partner, or with multiple partners, DP can offer (at least) double the pleasure.

Will it for you? You’ll have to explore to find out.