A Guide to Sex Toy Safety | Wellness | US News

You’re building an intimate relationship with this item. Choose wisely.

Source: A Guide to Sex Toy Safety | Wellness | US News

 

“Sexual pleasure is your birthright. It’s a vital life source, and it deserves to be accepted, understood, cherished and nurtured.” That’s how Claire Cavanah, co-founder of Babeland, a sex toy retailer with locations in Seattle and New York, defines the attitude behind “sexual positivity.” This movement is partially about recognizing that sex is a “very big part of a healthy, happy life,” she says. And what better way to spread happiness than with toys? Toys that vibrate! Toys that strap on! Toys that look and feel like flesh, and toys that look like sleek, James Bond gadgets! Options abound these days.

Know your toys. There’s no government regulation for sex toys and their safety, so do your homework on which materials are safe, and which are not. For example, safety concerns have emerged over phthalates – chemicals found in sex toys and other products to soften plastic and increase flexibility. Some research suggests a lifetime exposure to these chemicals may potentially cause cancer and harm reproductive systems, testes and liver, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. While no agency is verifying “phthalate-free” claims on sex toy packaging, Cavanah and Oakland, Calif.-based sex and relationship coach Charlie Glickman say this indication is a good place to start. While examining the package, also look for materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), vinyl and jelly rubber, which often contain phthalates, according to a Kinsey Confidential article. And remember, phthalates soften plastic, so bendable toys with a jelly-like feel are suspect.