Double penetration

Double penetration (often shortened to "DP") refers to a practice where one person is penetrated by two sexes, two sex toys, or a combination of both, at the same moment. The best known version pairs the vagina and the anus, but it isn't the only one.

We talk about double vaginal penetration when both penetrations happen in the vagina, and double anal penetration when everything happens on the anal side. So a man can be doubly penetrated too. And contrary to what porn imagery suggests, it doesn't necessarily require a threesome, a couple plus a toy works perfectly well.

In practice, it's a matter of position and patience. The most manageable configuration is still the one where the person being penetrated is on top of a partner lying down, the other coming from behind, because they keep control of the rhythm and the depth. You always start with a single penetration, well settled in, before adding the second one very slowly, breathing and letting the body open up rather than forcing it.

On the precautions side, nothing is negotiable. Lube in generous quantity (water-based, or silicone if no silicone toy is involved), and you add more along the way as soon as it starts to pull. A condom on every sex and every toy, changed systematically between anus and vagina to avoid carrying bacteria across. A safe word agreed in advance beats a long speech, and any sharp pain means stopping, then seeing a doctor if it persists.

Double penetration often gets confused with other group games, like simultaneous mouth and sex penetration, which isn't one in the strict sense. Neighbouring words worth knowing: troilism, threesome, candaulism, butt plug (often the gentle gateway to DP), and strap-on. Fantasising about the scene and wanting to live it are two different things, talking about it beforehand spares a lot of misunderstandings.

Synonyms : DP, double vaginal penetration, double anal penetration, sandwich