Pegging. Maybe you've heard about it, maybe you've tried it, or maybe you want to but don't know where to begin. Here's a closer look at this sex act, the toys required to do it, and why more and more couples are trying strap-on sex now than ever before.

What is pegging exactly, you ask? Simply put, it's the practice of a heterosexual man being anally penetrated by a woman wearing a strap-on dildo.

Since the release of Bend Over Boyfriend, an educational film released in 1998, there's been more discussion and awareness of prostate stimulation enhancing sexual pleasure for men.

In 2001, sex columnist Dan Savage held a contest asking his readers to name the practice. As a result of the contest, the term pegging was born. Armed with a new term without homosexual implications, and a how-to video that validated the practice, men were more open to the idea of receiving anal sex and prostate stimulation.

Xandria, an adult toy retailer, claims that strap-ons have been an important part of their product line. In the past decade, they've seen a 300 percent increase in the number of heterosexual couples that report using strap-ons for female-to-male anal penetration. In that same time period, there's also been a 100 percent increase in the sale of strap-ons and harnesses.

In a recent Xandria poll, nearly 20 percent of men who identify themselves as strictly heterosexual reported having had at least one experience with anal penetration from a female lover.

For couples interested in trying pegging for the first time, here are a few helpful tips:

1. Find the right harness and sex toy.

The harness should fit snugly without moving around too much to fully enjoy the experience. For first-timers, the dildo should be fairly small and thin with a curved design intended to reach a man's prostate.

2. Remember: lubrication is essential.

Use a generous amount of lubrication and reapply as necessary. Go slow and communicate. Half the fun of pegging is sharing the experience with your partner. 

3. Relax and enjoy.

Many men report that the orgasms they achieve during anal penetration are the best orgasms they've ever experienced. Couples often say that one of the most exciting dimensions of pegging is the reversal of dominant roles, if only in a sexual setting.