Whether it’s to enhance a solo session or to add a little something extra to sex with your partner, using sex toys in the bedroom is basically a foregone conclusion at this point. Unfortunately, not all of them are created equally. In fact, some of them may even be toxic and harmful to you. Here’s what you need to know.
- The sex toy industry is unregulated by US law. Despite the fact that millions of people use these toys, the United States has not regulated the sex toy industry, therefore there are no safety requirements in place when it comes to sex toys. They’re considered novelties even though they’re used inside of our bodies. Plus, there are no reporting or labeling requirements for manufacturers and retailers. As a result, they can be as cheap and harmful to your body as possible and you’ll have no clue! Relying on trial, error and good faith manufacturers is all we really have.
- Cheap toys contain phthalates which are unfit for the human body. Phthalates are chemical rubber softeners that many sex toy manufacturers use. In fact, manufacturers of all kind of products use them to help make plastic more flexible but harder to break. They’re used in everything from building materials to flooring to personal care items like fragrances (yikes!) to packaging and yes, even sex toys. Phthalates are SUPER harmful to humans because they are carcinogenic, meaning they can cause cancer. But they might also interfere with fertility in both men and women. So yeah, it is a MAJOR problem if they are used in sex toys.
- Phthalates aren’t the only harmful chemicals in cheap sex toys. Other types of chemicals and solvents are used to make cheap sex toys including PVC, BPA, jelly, rubber, chlorine, and other forms of plasticizers similar to phthalates. Remember, you’re putting these toys inside of your body, so you might want to double check and figure out exactly what it is made of before you do! Call the manufacturer and ask what their toys are made of before you order online. If they don’t respond or they are super sketchy about it, you should consider looking elsewhere.
- If it smells like chemicals, it might be toxic. Phthalates are associated with strong chemical odors. So do these other chemicals and solvents. When your new toy comes in the mail, you might want to do a sniff test first. If it has a new car smell, it’s probably made out of them and you definitely don’t want to be using that thing on your body or your partner’s body anytime soon.
- If it smells like flowers, it still might be toxic. If your toy smells like a fragrance, beware! Some toy manufacturers will try to mask the toxic smell with fragrance. Plus, some fragrances are also toxic to the body depending on what ingredients are used to make the fragrance. If you have sensitive skin or are sensitive to products with fragrance I wouldn’t risk it and use the toy anyway.
- Stick with body safe materials like silicone. Sticking with silicone is a really safe way to ensure that you’re using a toy made from materials that are safe for the human body. Silicone is odorless, tasteless and colorless. It’s your safest bet. Glass and metal toys are also body-safe too. Best part? You can stick them in the dishwasher to clean them because they are made of non-porous materials, which means they don’t trap bacteria and other harmful things you can’t see with the naked eye. But, you should beware of cheap toys that mislead you into thinking that they are used with safe materials even though they are not at all. Again- use your senses! If it smells off, it’s probably toxic.
- If your skin feels irritated after use, it might be toxic. One of the reasons why the skin is such an amazing organ is its ability to detect when something is not safe for the body at all. If your skin is irritated after using a toy, it may be toxic and it could lead to an allergic reaction. If this happens to you, take some Benadryl and head to your gynecologist as soon as possible. Allergic reactions or irritated skin in or near the vagina can lead to other problems like bacterial infections.
- Vet the manufacturer before you buy. There are companies that show that they are body safe. It’s really important that before you buy a toy, especially online, that you find out what chemicals and materials are used to produce them. Beware of counterfeiters and when in doubt, just go into a physical store and ask to see and hold the toy for yourself.
- You might have to spend a small fortune for a body-safe sex toy. If you can buy a sex toy for $20, you may want to think twice about buying it. Some of the safer ones made with quality materials might run you up a $100. It’s better to treat yourself and be safe than skimp out on yourself and end up with a rash or infection or worse.
- Buying safe sex toys is consistent with having safe sex. Remember safe sex is not just limited to checking for STIs and decreasing your chances of pregnancy. Safe sex is also about limiting your exposure to harmful chemicals that might hurt you down the line!
Some more vibrator fun facts
You love your vibrator, but how much do you really know about it, and vibrators in general? Polish up on your vibrator knowledge to maximize your sexual pleasure with these 13 facts.
- They’re not one size fits all. You might hear about the latest trendy vibrator to hit the scene and think you must have it, but you might not actually like it—and that doesn’t mean you’re a prude! Think about what kind of sexual pleasure you enjoy and then choose a vibrator that matches your sexual needs. For instance, if you like clitoral stimulation during sex, you should choose a vibrator that will please you by focusing on this hot spot. Choose a vibrator that’s right for you to get the best out of it.
- There’s not just one type of vibrator. These are vibrators that work on the outside of your vagina to give you clitoral pleasure, then there are vibrators that work inside you, like vibrators which focus on the G-spot. There are also ones that are known as dual-action, meaning they have internal and external parts.
- How they’re made matters. Be sure to buy a vibrator that’s made of good materials as it’s going to be inside you. The best idea? Choose a vibrator made of medical grade silicone. It’s easy to clean and transmits vibrations well. Avoid jelly rubber vibrators at all costs. These contain phthalates, which have been banned from children’s toys yet are not regulated in pleasure products. Shady AF.
- Vibrators should look sexy. You won’t be able to have amazing solo pleasure if you use a vibrator that looks painful or like something out of a sci-fi movie (unless that gets you off). Remember that sexiness starts in the brain. If your vibrator looks like something that’ll give you pleasure, you’re more likely to want to use it.
- They can buzz too loudly. You want a nice, quiet vibration, nothing that you fear the neighbors will be able to hear. You can ensure that you’re getting a quality vibration by choosing vibrators that are made with quality ingredients. Silicone comes to the rescue again, as it helps to muffle sound.
- Vibrators are really popular. You know that lots of women use vibrators, but a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that over half of all women between the ages of 18 and 60 use vibrators. It seems women are focusing on their pleasure well into their older years—woo-hoo!
- They can keep you healthy. Whether or not you have a sexual partner, you should still be pleasuring yourself regularly. Regular orgasms have many health benefits, such as keeping your heart healthy, your mood in a good place, and your menstrual cycle regular.
- They help you keep your yearly checks. You know you should be getting gynecological exams yearly to stay safe, right? But did you know that your trusty vibrator could help you to stick to these appointments? The same research listed above that was published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that women who have vibrators are more likely to get regular checkups and do visual self-checks. Nice one!
- Men like them. You might think men will be put off by the idea of bringing vibrators into the bedroom, but this is not the case. A study by Indiana University found that 70 percent of men are not intimidated by them. And why should they be? Knowing that you can satisfy yourself is sexy to men because it’s tied to sexual confidence and knowing what you want between the sheets.
- How you feel about them is linked to your sexual pleasure. You need to choose a vibrator that you feel really positive about, as this can influence how much pleasure you get out of it. The same Indiana University study found that when women had positive beliefs about their vibrators and used them within the last month, they had higher levels of sexual satisfaction. Your vibrator should make you feel like a confident sex goddess.
- They need to be cleaned well. You should regularly clean your vibrator with hot water and soap to prevent bacteria, even if you’re the only one who uses it. And, if you’re using it with one or more sexual partners, it’s a really good idea to get into the habit of cleaning it well after each use. Otherwise it’s just gross. When cleaning your vibrator, avoid getting the battery compartment wet. Try to remove parts of the vibrator to give it a really deep clean, and don’t forget to clean any tiny spaces where germs can linger.
- Vibrators don’t last forever. Your high-quality vibrator might last you many years, but cheaper ones tend to have a lifespan of a year or less. If your vibrator’s made of low-quality materials, such as jelly, you should definitely toss it out after a year, even if it still does good things for you.
- Vibrators can give you side-effects. No, not just a great orgasm. In the same Indiana University study mentioned above, although 71.5 percent of women experienced no side effects from using a vibrator, 16 percent experienced numbness in their genital areas, 10 percent had irritation, and 8 percent experienced swelling! OMG. You can minimize side effects by choosing high-quality vibrators that are eco-friendly and kind to your body. Always focus on your pleasure. If a vibrator just doesn’t feel right, forget about it and find one that keeps you healthy and satisfied. You deserve nothing less.