Sex toy materials, PART 1: Phthalates

I’ve been researching the materials used in sex toys, in preparation for an article I’m writing.  So far, it’s pretty clear that phthalates, the class of chemical additives used to turn hard PVC into the popular and plentiful “jelly” sex toys, is bad stuff.  That stinky smell when you first opened your new vibrator’s package is the phthalates outgassing, similar to what happens when you paint a room; for some, these heavy, chemical-laden odors can cause nausea or headaches. 

In the case of phthalates, though, animal testing has clearly demonstrated strongly increased allergic reactions as a result of exposure to trace amounts of these compounds.  Other studies have shown adverse effects on male sexual characteristics, especially in utero, but also in children and adults. This compound has also been linked to other types of endocrine system disruption.  The problem is significant enough that Congress passed legislation in 2008 to ban six phthalates from children’s toys.  There’s no legislation banning phthalates from sex toys, however. 

Besides this chemical toxicity, jelly sex toys are porous and harbor bacteria, so they require thorough cleaning after every use, and especially between vaginal & anal use.  In order to protect yourself and your partner, we recommend, along with various health organizations, first and foremost, to stop using soft jelly sex toys.  If you must keep your favorite vibrator, then as a minimum, use a condom over any soft jelly dildos.  We also strongly suggest you not share toys made with these materials, even with using a condom. 

Dildos, vibrators, butt plugs, and prostate probes all come into contact with your most sensitive mucous membranes, which provide the greatest opportunity for unfavorable reactions.  But there’s another type of ‘insertable’ that’s rarely mentioned - ball gags.  Sucking on a jelly ball can also lead to phthalate ingestion. 

Fortunately, there’s plenty of alternatives, products made from much safer, and equally as (or more…) enjoyable materials.  I’ll go into them in more detail in future posts, but for now, here’s a quick introduction:

At the top of the list is Silicone, an inert, non-porous soft material that can even be sterilized by boiling.  There’s various grades available, and the most often used is a medical-grade, hypoallergenic material.  Silicone is especially great for ball gags, because it’s soft yet firm, tasteless, and odorless.  It’s also the most expensive material.

Next is a class of compounds known as elastomers, which you’ll see listed as TPR (thermoplastic rubber), and TPE (thermoplastic elastomer).  These materials are familiar to most of us, being used in everything from soft-grip kitchen tools to cushioned pens, and can be made in a wide range of soft-to-hard formulations.  These materials are moderately priced.

Then there’s latex, made from naturally-occurring rubber.  In unadulterated form, it's body-safe, although a significant number of people have latex allergies, and so this is not a surefire safe material.  Also, sometimes latex is mixed with other plastics, some of which could contain phthalates, so knowing the composition of the product is essential.  Latex materials have the lowest cost.

So to sum things up, it's best to stop using jelly dildos, or at least protect yourself with a condom.  And switch to safer materials, Silicone being the best.  Put more change in the piggy bank, so you can splurge on that new silicone vibrator you’re craving!