Editing Butt plug (section)

==Risks==
{{see also|Prostate massage#Risks}}

Sex toys that are used in the [[Human anus|anus]] can easily get lost as rectal muscles contract and can suck an object up and up, potentially obstructing the colon; to prevent this from occurring, it is recommended that individuals use sex toys with a flared base or a string.<ref>{{cite web |author=Regina Nuzzo |author-link=Regina Nuzzo |url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/good-vibrations-us-consumer-web-site-aims-to-enhance-sex-toy-safety/ |title=Good Vibrations: U.S. Consumer Web Site Aims to Enhance Sex Toy Safety |publisher=Scientific American |date=2011-05-24 |access-date=2017-07-25 |archive-date=2014-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304073633/https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/good-vibrations-us-consumer-web-site-aims-to-enhance-sex-toy-safety/ |url-status=live }}</ref> However, the flared flange is not a foolproof method of preventing the plug from entering the rectum completely with the inability to retrieve it. This is uncomfortable and may require medical intervention. Butt plugs of excess diameter can, especially when inserted too rapidly and/or too forcefully, lead to sphincter tear, detachment or other rectal failure. [[Kegel exercise]]s can help maintain normal, healthy sphincter function. When inserting a butt plug, one should be gentle, use plenty of lubrication, start with smaller sizes, and exercise patience. While medical data is sparse, some recommend not leaving a butt plug inserted for longer than two to three hours, though anecdotal evidence dictates some users wear their plugs for even longer; some committed practitioners only remove them so as to be able to [[bowel movement|pass stool]].<ref>[http://thehealthybear.com/butt-plug-guide/ Butt Plug Safety Guide] Retrieved October 19, 2013.</ref><ref>{{cite web | quote=There are no good research studies that evaluate the short or long-term effects of using butt plugs... short-term use probably is not much different than bowel movements, anal sex, or medical procedures. Long-term use, however, probably is. | author=Mark P. Behar, [[PA-C]] | publisher=[[Shepherd Express]] | title=More on Wearing Anal Plugs Long Term | url=http://shepherdexpress.com/article-permalink-12522.html | date=October 14, 2010 | access-date=July 1, 2015 | archive-date=July 1, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701184509/http://shepherdexpress.com/article-permalink-12522.html | url-status=live }}</ref>