Sex Toys...I love them. Yes I do. Not only can they help people have orgasms and enhance a couple's bedtime play, but they can assist you in partaking of the annual masturbate-a-thon during the month of May (didn't know May was National Masturbation Month did you?). Yes, sex toys are dandy to play with, but what you may not know about them will prove to move you more than any vibrator will.
There is no organization, board or coalition that regulates the safety of sexual aids in the United States, Japan, Canada and the European Union. None, zero, zilch. Why does that matter? Because, with no regulations, they CAN and DO, make it out of whatever material they want. Toxic? Who cares. Hazardous? Whatever. Cancer-Causing materials? What the consumer doesn't know will make us more money! Keeping them made cheap? Now we're talking sex toy production style. Regulating sex toys production would be admitting that people use them, and our government doesn't want to do that-for goodness sakes, sex toys are illegal in 6 states! How could the government evaluate the safety of something if it is illegal? Doing that would be admitting that people used them, and as a result, that the government condoned the usage of such behavior.
Yes, our country's paranoia with masturbation/sex leads us down a road where the consumer doesn't know jack. And, along with our lack of quality sex education in this country, well, basically the consumer is screwed (and not in a fun way). How do they get away with this injustice, you wonder? Simple. Slap a "FOR NOVELTY USE ONLY" sticker on the product and you are legally free and clear. You can't help that the consumer didn't follow your instructions; it was for novelty use only. And, it can take years for that reproductive failure to occur. So, what actually happens if you use these products? What's the danger in them? Read on dear reader.
Most toys that are sold are made of a material called Jelly Latex. Jelly Latex is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) for short. If you smell it, and it has a scent like a plastic shower curtain, it's made of PVC. This is a type of plastic that is known to leak toxins out through extended shelf life (more than 6 months), agitation (pushing it in and out of your body) and heat (hello, things get hot when you get excited down there right?) The toxins leach into your fat and hang out there, which could cause kidney, liver cancer and damage to the reproductive organs. PVC is also in Cyber skin, mystery rubber, soft skin and Ultra skin. If a product says it's scented or has a "touch me" area in the box for you to stick your finger into to feel the material, it's most likely toxic.
The reason that most of sex toys are made of these materials is because it's cheap and easy to get a hold of. It's hard to buy sex toys not made of Jelly Latex or other questionable materials. Most people don't want to spend more than 35.00 on a single sex toy and those that are quality made cost more than that for the most part. However, don't use the price of a toy to tell if it's toxic or not, I've seen some toys that are over 95.00 and made of jelly latex.
There are toy materials that are completely safe to play with, no toxic leaching out into your fat, no slimy residue, no funky odor or gummy feeling. These safe materials are Silicone, Pyrex, or Stainless Steel. They all tend to be pricy, ranging in digits from 35.00-150.00 and they all have positives and negatives to them. For instance, silicone is amazing as it heats up to the body temperature, can be sterilized, can be soft or hard but can't be used with silicone lube or it will be ruined. Stainless steel is wonderful if you are looking for a little extra weight inside of you. Glass rocks for its fantastic ability to be used in hot and cold play.
So, how can you avoid purchasing sex toys made of unsafe materials? First and foremost, buy your products from organizations/companies that promote education and positive sexuality! Feminist run sex toy shops are a great place to buy items not only because they promote healthy sexuality but they train their employees about all the ins and out's of their products and will work with you to find the item for your needs! Ask the salesperson if you are buying live and in person, what is this toy material made of? If they list any of the above, buyers beware. If the price is under 35.00 and it's soft, chances are you have a jelly latex toy in your hands. If the salesperson doesn't know the toy material, raise your antennae. Ask yourself at that point, "Why isn't the salesperson aware of the type of products they are selling?". Reputable sex toy salespeople (like Feminist Run stores) know the material toys are made of, how to care for them, positives and negatives of the toys and what the best usage for the toy is. If you do choose to buy one and are unsure as to what the material is made of, throw a condom over it. Sometimes you don't have the money to really invest in a high quality toy but still want to be wet between the sheets.
The internet can be a great way to purchase toys! Not only is it discrete, but you have the option of picking from the crème of the crop of sex toy shops. You can purchase your toys, videos, reading material, and erotica from places that promote healthy sexuality/attitudes and education. They will inform you what material your toy is made of, what the best use for it is, how to care for it, and the positives and negatives of its construction. Feminist run and owned stores are limited, but they are spread around the country. Places such as The Smitten Kitten in Minnesota (which states that they don't sell any unsafe toys), , Nomia Boutique in Maine, Miko in Rhode Island, A Woman's Touch in Wisconsin, Oh My in Massachusetts, Early to Bed in Illinois, Babeland in NYC, and Good Vibrations in San Francisco are just a few reputable stores that provide as much education and empowerment as the enjoyment that they sell.
So, before you stock up for Masturbation Month, know what you are buying. Silicone, Pyrex or Stainless Steel is the safest of the bunch. If you've had a toy sitting in the drawer next to your bed for over 6 months and it's soft, throw it out and buy a new and improved one. Besides, you deserve a new way to get off every six months, don't you? Happy Sex Toy Shopping!
