The sex toy business is hot, hot, hot. Current estimates say it's a nearly $ 30 billion industry, and it could grow to more than $ 50 billion by 2026. These days, everyone is in the action, from individual users to couples, millennials and baby boomers. Doctors even recommend sex toys for health reasons.
The safety of sex toys, however, is not always the most important thing, although experts say it should be. For one thing, the sex toy industry is not regulated by watchdog groups like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which means that no one guarantees that toys are safe. And sex toys, of course, are used very intimately.
So how can you protect yourself while enjoying all the fun that sex toys have to offer? Here are five crucial safety tips every savvy sex toy or sex doll consumer should know.
Know What Materials Your Toys Are Made Of
Although there is no scientific literature that discusses the bodily safety of various sex toy materials, there are some materials that consumers may choose to avoid. Some toys are made with phthalates. The use of these chemicals, which are present in some plastics, in products such as toys and pacifiers for children, has been banned because they can alter human hormones. The FDA says it is unclear what impact (if any) phthalates have on human health. But if you've made a personal decision to avoid them in other parts of your life - your cosmetics for example - it's important to know that they might be lurking in your sex doll porn.
Many products claim they do not contain phthalates, but because the industry is largely unregulated, no outside organization verifies the veracity of those claims. So one thing to keep in mind is whether the toys you are using are soft and jelly-like or silicone sex doll. Phthalates are used as fabric softeners. They are more likely to be present in softer toys, made of more porous materials.
Porous sex toys are also "more prone to transmitting infections," says Alyssa Dweck, MD, a gynecologist based in Westchester County, New York, and author of The Complete A to Z for Your V. That's because their surfaces are more permeable.
That doesn't mean there is research literature that says jelly-like sex toys are inherently unsafe, but it is something to keep in mind.
Wash — and Dry — Your Sex Toys Regularly
I like it, very regularly. "Sex toys need to be cleaned between each act of sex and between each partner," says Dr. Dweck.
He probably knows that sexual activity increases a woman's risk of getting urinary tract infections (UTIs); She may not realize that the bacteria that cause a UTI live in the area around the anus. Sex increases the chances that nearby bacteria will migrate into a woman's urethra, where they can multiply and trigger a UTI.
Preventing UTIs requires strict genital hygiene, which includes keeping everything that comes in contact with sensitive areas as germ-free as possible. That's why the Planned Parenthood website advises, "Anything you touch or enter your anus, such as a finger, penis, or sex toy, should be thoroughly washed before touching other genitals."
Toys can also spread infections, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs), because they can retain bacteria and viruses. Dweck reminds a patient that she was puzzled why she continued to have trichomoniasis, a common and curable STI. “She was wondering, why do I keep getting this? Turns out she wasn't cleaning her toy properly, "says Dweck. Basically, her patient reinfected herself every time she used her vibrator.
Rachel Hoffman, a New York-based social worker with the Union Square Practice who specializes in sexuality and intimacy, says she has seen similar things happen to clients who ended up with recurring yeast infections.
Also, sex toys can become covered in dust and other particles while in storage.
The manufacturer of her toy should be her first stop for washing instructions. Some toys can go in the dishwasher, for example. Others cannot.
"Most products will tell you specifically how to wash them as they are custom sex doll," says Hoffman. Although both she and Dweck say that if you're unsure of your toy's exact directions, warm, soapy water is a good starting point.
And be careful to dry them too. Wet toys can develop mold.
Consider a Protection to Reduce the Risk of Infection
"Condoms should certainly be used to cover phallic-shaped toys for people who share toys with a partner," says Dweck. This is because even if you diligently clean your toys, there is still a chance of transmitting an infection. A study published in November 2014 in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections found traces of the human papillomavirus on vibrators a full day after they were worn and cleaned.
Dweck adds that the condom should be changed if you change the parts of the body that come into contact with the toy, for example, from oral to vaginal use.
Use Sex Toys as Intended and Skip Household Items
When you get a new sex toy, take the time to read the instructions. get more info If you're new to sex toys, do it slowly, says Dweck, and stop if something is uncomfortable for you. Dweck also urges people to avoid using household items like sex toys. He has seen patients who have consumed cucumbers and bananas, for example.
"We will often see people using cell phones with vibrators or electric toothbrushes," adds Dweck. "What comes up with this? Well, the batteries may not be seated correctly so you may have some kind of caustic reaction as a result of that. "
Food products, on the other hand, can be quite porous, which means they can carry bacteria and potentially cause an infection.
Buy From a Credible Company
The sex toy industry is growing by the day, which means it can be challenging to verify the safety of what you are buying. Experts say you should start by researching reputable manufacturers of BBW sex doll and looking for companies that are transparent about their products. If a manufacturer provides detailed information on the materials he is using and details on how to use and clean his toys, that is a good start.
"A lot of people are shopping now from places like Amazon, but it can be difficult to know what you're getting unless you're very well versed in the products," Hoffman says. If you are looking to buy from an online retailer instead of buying in person, do a little research on what customers are saying about products online through verified reviews.
A good rule of thumb for sex toys and safety? Listen to your body.
"If you feel any kind of discomfort," says Hoffman, "like itching, burning, anything, it's not right."