Do you wear Butt Plugs for longer than 1 hour? If so, do you know about the health concerns?

Contributor: Loriandhubby Loriandhubby
I am working on a review of a Butt Plug. Like I do for so many of my reviews, I have researched extensively on the subject of Anal Play and also talked to my doctor about health concerns.

In my research I have found that Butt Plugs are harmful to wear for extended periods of time since there is the possibility of weakening the sphincter muscle.

So that leads me to thinking... How many people know about this health concern and how many choose to participate in the practice of wearing them for hours.
Answers (private voting - your screen name will NOT appear in the results):
28
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18
5
17
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Total votes: 92 (58 voters)
Poll is open
05/06/2012
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Contributor: GingerAnn GingerAnn
Useful topic breakdown on Butt plugs:

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05/06/2012
Contributor: Ryuson Ryuson
What if it's one with a super thin neck like the new Mood Naughty ones? Or it this just for the thicker ones? Is there a way to strengthen this muscle once it weakens?

Don't do anal play, but am watching because I'm interested.
05/06/2012
Contributor: Rin (aka Nire) Rin (aka Nire)
Anal play generally strengthens the muscles, but I've never stopped to think about what leaving a plug in for a long time would do. I suppose it's a good thing I've never bothered to try it.
05/06/2012
Contributor: Tork48309 Tork48309
Quote:
Originally posted by Rin (aka Nire)
Anal play generally strengthens the muscles, but I've never stopped to think about what leaving a plug in for a long time would do. I suppose it's a good thing I've never bothered to try it.
I heard the same.
05/06/2012
Contributor: Loriandhubby Loriandhubby
According to the Mayo Clinic Kegel exercises can strengthen the sphincter muscles in case with bowel incontinence.

On the other hand, with plugs the sphincter can be damaged or trained to not close all the way due to wearing plugs for too long of a time. i.e., wearing a plug for longer than one hour at a time without taking a break to let the sphincter close all the way.

I have not found anything that states this size is safe and therefore there is no need to worry. What all I have read leads me to believe that any size if worn for too long of a period can dame this muscle.
05/06/2012
Contributor: RavenWings RavenWings
It makes sense, nothing hurts being careful.
05/06/2012
Contributor: Loriandhubby Loriandhubby
If anyone can find me a link that gives information on how anal sex strengthens the anal muscles, I would love to read it. I have searched and searched with no luck. The only thing I’m finding is how kegel exercises help strengthen a weakened anal sphincter.
05/06/2012
Contributor: Rin (aka Nire) Rin (aka Nire)
Quote:
Originally posted by Loriandhubby
If anyone can find me a link that gives information on how anal sex strengthens the anal muscles, I would love to read it. I have searched and searched with no luck. The only thing I’m finding is how kegel exercises help strengthen a weakened anal ... more
Your explanation about the anal muscles being trained not to close does make sense, but I'm pretty sure other forms of anal play don't have this trouble. If I can find a link, I'll certainly let you know. It basically comes down to: a muscle, any muscle, will get stronger if exercised regularly. But I'm probably not the best person to ask (although I did attend an Anal 101 workshop once where the presenters basically said that anal play shouldn't damage your muscles at all).
05/06/2012
Contributor: Loriandhubby Loriandhubby
Hi Rin,
yes, I think you are correct. I think the issue is that the plug keeps it open for so long. I believe this practice is mostly for the Dom/Sub type relationship. IDK for sure. But that is what my research has shown so far.

The main reason I'm curious is for my review. I thought of adding some information on safety with anal plugs, then I though no; better not most people already know it. Then I though well let’s find out. So I started this pole to find out if the information would be useful and so far it seems it will be useful for some people.
05/06/2012
Contributor: Rin (aka Nire) Rin (aka Nire)
Quote:
Originally posted by Loriandhubby
Hi Rin,
yes, I think you are correct. I think the issue is that the plug keeps it open for so long. I believe this practice is mostly for the Dom/Sub type relationship. IDK for sure. But that is what my research has shown so far.

The main ... more
Indeed. I never thought about this particular topic because wearing a plug for that long doesn't interest me, but it's good information to have all the same. Good luck on the review!
05/06/2012
Contributor: BBW Talks Toys BBW Talks Toys
I would imagine that extended wear that would weaken the sphincter would have to be prolonged for days and days. It simply doesn't make sense that wearing a plug for 3-4 hours on occasion would weaken your sphincter so much that it would weaken it to that point. It is one of the strongest muscles in your body, as it is always contracted and when you feel the urge for something to leave it, your body automatically contracts to prevent expulsion until you are in a safe place.

It would seem to me that if you insert and remove the plug carefully and safely (not forcing it in or out), that several hours of use on occasion wouldn't hurt your muscles.

If you're planning on wearing a plug for many hours on a daily basis, I suppose that it could be harmful, but once or twice a week and safely should be okay.
05/06/2012
Contributor: BBW Talks Toys BBW Talks Toys
Quote:
Originally posted by Loriandhubby
Hi Rin,
yes, I think you are correct. I think the issue is that the plug keeps it open for so long. I believe this practice is mostly for the Dom/Sub type relationship. IDK for sure. But that is what my research has shown so far.

The main ... more
why is it presumed that someone wearing a plug for that long has to do with D/s relationships?
05/06/2012
Contributor: Loriandhubby Loriandhubby
Quote:
Originally posted by BBW Talks Toys
why is it presumed that someone wearing a plug for that long has to do with D/s relationships?
I'll have to ask at Baptist Hospital if there is any guide lines to the idea that a plug worn for too long can harm your sphincter. When I met with the doctor to ask questions he simply told me that wearing a plug for prolonged periods of time can be harmful. I asked, what is a prolonged period of time? He said, over one hour without taking two hours of not wearing it.

I tried to be very thorough in my questions but failed to ask if long periods of time periodically could also damage it. I met with a proctologist that is treating my father in law. But I will call him in the morning and see if the nurse can set up a time where I can ask a few more questions.



Thank you so much for chiming in. I am learning a lot by this post.
05/06/2012
Contributor: Loriandhubby Loriandhubby
well 6 out of 17 is enough to tell me, i should add the medical issues to my review. thanks guys.
05/06/2012
Contributor: PassionateLover2 PassionateLover2
Quote:
Originally posted by Loriandhubby
According to the Mayo Clinic Kegel exercises can strengthen the sphincter muscles in case with bowel incontinence.

On the other hand, with plugs the sphincter can be damaged or trained to not close all the way due to wearing plugs for too ... more
You got that right!!!
05/06/2012
Contributor: PassionateLover2 PassionateLover2
Quote:
Originally posted by Loriandhubby
If anyone can find me a link that gives information on how anal sex strengthens the anal muscles, I would love to read it. I have searched and searched with no luck. The only thing I’m finding is how kegel exercises help strengthen a weakened anal ... more
In my opinion, you don't strengthen the anal sphincter muscles, you only weaken them. For anal play to work, you relax the muscles to incert the toy, therby weaking them. So as you continue the practice with larger and larger anal toys, be prepared to loose anal sphincter muscle tone!

As you get older, I can send you a box of Depends! You will need it!!
05/06/2012
Contributor: DreamWolf DreamWolf
Other, haven't tried any yet, should get into it soon... ^^
05/06/2012
Contributor: Falsepast Falsepast
I don't do long periods of butt play. Don't want a loose hole.
05/06/2012
Contributor: Master DarkWolf Master DarkWolf
Not into such things thank you...
05/06/2012
Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
Honestly I have not heard this before, but I do question it. I have been playing with anal toys for over two years, some plugs and some dils/vibes. My biggest is just shy of 3", that one takes me about an hour to an hour and a half to get in, this is with using other toys to warm up with. Before starting I use a syringe to shoot lube up there, like a lot. After I am done I can feel the lube wanting to come out and I have no problems keeping it in because the sphincters have closed. We are talking about two hours straight of my anus being stretched to 2 7/8", certainly not a small neck diameter like most plugs have.

I can see this being a problem if someone wore one every day, all day long with no other anal activity being done, but I am not sure how many folks do that.
05/06/2012
Contributor: Loriandhubby Loriandhubby
Quote:
Originally posted by ToyTimeTim
Honestly I have not heard this before, but I do question it. I have been playing with anal toys for over two years, some plugs and some dils/vibes. My biggest is just shy of 3", that one takes me about an hour to an hour and a half to get in, ... more
It really is a possibility according to the doctors. Now to be frank I don't believe everything the docs tell me. I did more research and even the mayo clinic says that this is the cause in many of the bowl inconstancy cases that they have been encountering lately. Again I truly don't know. I just go with the research if it is valid.

Also, I know a few people on EF wear them as long as their master wants them to. And i even recieved a message from a member who has been wearing her large plug for 10 hours a day every day for a week trying to train her bumn to be fisted. So I think discussing the possible issues is valid.

what do you honestly think? I truly value your opion.
05/06/2012
Contributor: Loriandhubby Loriandhubby
Quote:
Originally posted by PassionateLover2
In my opinion, you don't strengthen the anal sphincter muscles, you only weaken them. For anal play to work, you relax the muscles to incert the toy, therby weaking them. So as you continue the practice with larger and larger anal toys, be ... more
So true. Not me I won’t need them. I do participate in anal play but it is only for short periods of time. Mostly exploration. My hubby probably wishes i could handle him, but I’m not going to push it.

I never want to wear depends.. seriously.

I'm surprised to see all the results of this pole. I am defiantly thinking I need to add information about safety in anal play.
05/06/2012
Contributor: Rin (aka Nire) Rin (aka Nire)
Quote:
Originally posted by PassionateLover2
In my opinion, you don't strengthen the anal sphincter muscles, you only weaken them. For anal play to work, you relax the muscles to incert the toy, therby weaking them. So as you continue the practice with larger and larger anal toys, be ... more
From what I've heard from frequent anal players, quite the opposite happens: bowel issues actually become less frequent, and you're actually less likely to have incontinence issues later on.

Yes, you relax the muscles, but you're also stimulating and stretching them beyond what their normal workload might be. This is a form of exercise. Keeping them stretched for a very long time (like what this thread is about) might not have the same effect, but short-term anal play shouldn't be a problem.
05/07/2012
Contributor: BBW Talks Toys BBW Talks Toys
Quote:
Originally posted by Loriandhubby
So true. Not me I won’t need them. I do participate in anal play but it is only for short periods of time. Mostly exploration. My hubby probably wishes i could handle him, but I’m not going to push it.

I never want to wear depends.. ... more
No matter what you do to prevent it, there's always a chance that you'll end up needing incontinence products. Uterine or bladder prolapse can occur even if you do your kegels. Cancer. Alzheimer's.

I think being safe and maintaining your pelvic floor is a great start, but there are things that are beyond our control.

Not trying to be a "glass-half-empty" person, but I saw my 52 year old mother go from being independent to bedridden in 6 weeks. You just never know.
05/07/2012
Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
Quote:
Originally posted by Loriandhubby
It really is a possibility according to the doctors. Now to be frank I don't believe everything the docs tell me. I did more research and even the mayo clinic says that this is the cause in many of the bowl inconstancy cases that they have been ... more
Don't get me wrong, I agree that this is a valid discussion. I have done some searching and found the claims to be true. But according to what I have found there is no concrete evidence, just theories. I found this link

Behar says, "Unfortunately, I do not have the answer to this question. There are no good research studies that evaluate the short- or long-term effects of using butt plugs.Therefore, I am compelled to extrapolate what we do know, and deduce what we would expect to be true.

"The usual physiologic condition of the internal and external [anal] sphincter [muscles] is to remain tightly closed, except for momentary defecation, anal stimulation during sex or medical examinations, when a cascade of nerve stimulation allows momentary relaxation.

"So what if a person uses a butt plug? Momentary and short-term use probably is not much different than bowel movements, anal sex, or medical procedures. Long-term use, however, probably is.

"Imagine how your body habituates to the sensation of a mosquito walking on your arm. Initially, the tickle sensation is quite annoying.This probably is also related to your realizing that there is a bloodsucking insect on your body! In other words, there may be a cognitive component that overcomes the reflex scratch or swatting that comes almost automatically. After considerable time, this bug-crawling sensation loses the severity of its annoyance and is easier to tolerate. It may not even be noticed! You are habituating to the bug’s walking on your skin.Imagine also what happens to anyone who does not operate a set of muscles regularly, say, from an injury to an arm or leg. After the acute injury heals, the previously injured muscle will be very weak, and may require some time to get back to normal function.

"Let’s now return to long-term use of the butt plug.The anus is left in a constantly open position, instead of being tightly closed. Does this contribute to a habituation of the nerve-muscle reflex associated with voluntary sphincter control?Will this contribute to irreversible damage or bowel incontinence?Possibly, but we don’t know. But if we know anything about how the body responds to chronic stimulation, then I think I would read between the lines. Anything for short periods of time will probably be fine. But long-term use is probably not a great idea, and may contribute to chronic and irreversible changes in how the nerves and muscles ‘down there’ work effectively."
05/07/2012
Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
Quote:
Originally posted by ToyTimeTim
Don't get me wrong, I agree that this is a valid discussion. I have done some searching and found the claims to be true. But according to what I have found there is no concrete evidence, just theories. I found this link

Behar says, ... more
The more I think about this... the more I think about it. lol

I think if a person only uses a plug, no other kinds of anal play, it could become a problem. For guys that use a toy like the Aneros, this would not be problem as we use our muscles to work the toy in and out. This exercise is not only good for moving the toy but strengthens the sphincters thereby providing better control over them. Much like a woman uses Kegel balls.

Now, when I use a plug, even for long term, I do the Kegels all the time as the provide stimulation to the anus and P-spot. In the case where a person only wears the plug all day long with out flexing I can see where there could be problems down the road.
05/07/2012
Contributor: K101 K101
Quote:
Originally posted by Loriandhubby
I am working on a review of a Butt Plug. Like I do for so many of my reviews, I have researched extensively on the subject of Anal Play and also talked to my doctor about health concerns.

In my research I have found that Butt Plugs are ... more
I don't participate in any anal stuff. I have read A LOT about anal play being harmful. I already have plenty of issues with my stomach and female stuff. I'm not about to risk giving myself anal problems too! Also, weakening of the anal area can also let to rectocele, a condition that I show signs of It's minor, but for some it can be severe. No way I'd risk those kind of health probs.

Anyways, I'm in the clear, but I think it's fantastic that you are throwing out some very useful knowledge to the community. As I happen to believe, knowledge is power! Kudos to you.
05/07/2012
Contributor: Loriandhubby Loriandhubby
Quote:
Originally posted by ToyTimeTim
Don't get me wrong, I agree that this is a valid discussion. I have done some searching and found the claims to be true. But according to what I have found there is no concrete evidence, just theories. I found this link

Behar says, ... more
Great link. I guess that is why most medical journals I have search online and the doc at Baptist told me it was possible. Without solid research there is no way to know for sure.

In theory it seems possible, but who wants to help research this question.. I don't know many who would line up for that research. Plus a lot of the medical research participants are college students... I know if when I was in collage at OU if I went to a medical research interview and they told me the possibility of having my hole stretched to the point of losing its strength I would run out the door. Money or no money! I would run. LOL

I will have to search more medical journals and see if there is any resent research or pulmonary research. The info I found from the Mayo Clinic was only the abstract for the article. I did not weed through all the technical stuff, nor doIi currently have a valid pass code to get into the full articles. I love abstracts, usually they have clear information and a clear conclusion. This one stated that this was a leading cause of many cases they are treating today. It did not state on what they base that information. It maybe that they are in the midst of preliminary research. IDK. But I can get a pass code to read the full article via OU, I’ll make sure to do that tomorrow.
05/07/2012
Contributor: Loriandhubby Loriandhubby
Quote:
Originally posted by BBW Talks Toys
No matter what you do to prevent it, there's always a chance that you'll end up needing incontinence products. Uterine or bladder prolapse can occur even if you do your kegels. Cancer. Alzheimer's.

I think being safe and ... more
I totally agree. I was just making light of the subject. I have cared for numerous people as they grow old and need nursing care at home. Not as an RN, just as an aid sort of. Not anything official and never for pay. I just tend to be the person in the neighborhood who is always on the lookout for older people who need help. Mow the lawn, put down ice melt, and if they need it sit with them during illness or hospice care. I never receive anything. Plz don't think I'm an elderly predator. I just believe that we are to honor our elders and help them at all times. I have a strong scene of community, and truly believe our neighbors problems are our problems. And we should help when we can.

I totally realized that anything can happen at any time. Our bodies are fragile and you never know.

I guess maybe that is why this information is so important. We don't know what will happen at an older age, so knowledge is power to keeping our bodies healthy.

Oh yeah, earlier you asked why people assume this is dom/sub practice. Well to be honest it is all over the net that this is practiced most by those in that type of relationship. I have no idea from anything personal. I just stated what so many pages I have read state. I have no idea why they think that.

HUGS, lori
05/07/2012