Are sex toys safe?
Question:
I recently went shopping for a vibrator after watching some of your videos and was overwhelmed by the choices available. I decided not to purchase any since I wasn't too sure of what was ok or not...can you tell me if they are ALL safe to use or if I should be selective?
Answer:
To answer your question, you do want to be very careful when picking out a vibrator or any sex toy for that matter, and if you watch the following video you'll know why...
Since I started posting my vids there has been one thing that I have mentioned time and time again that I want for you to be wary of...no its not baseless ass toys...no its not unprotected sex...or even how to do your girl properly in the butt (yes those things are important and do matter) ...but today I want to talk about phthalates...a chemical in sex toys I want for you guys to be very VERY careful and aware of...for all you dudes out there I want you to read this too...because its your unborn sons willy that could be affected...and thats not the best way to carry on the family name or jewels for that matter...
Now I'm sure your all asking the following question...
What are phthalates?
· Phthalates are a family of compounds created by reacting phthalic anhydride with certain alcohols.
I'm sure the next question you have is...
What are phthalic anhydrides?
· Phthalic anhydrides are a colorless, oily, solid industrial chemical used in the production of plasticizers.
And finally...
What are plasticizers?
· Plasticizers are additives that increase the plasticity or fluidity of the material to which they are added
A little about phthalates.
Phthalates have been around since the 1920's and then became produced in large quantities in the 50's when polyvinyl choloride or PVC became highly sought after.
For those of you not familiar with PVC think of the following;
as a hard plastic
· vinyl records
· vinyl siding
· pipes & plumbing
as a soft plastic
· clothing (like your favourite PVC dress or pants or dominatrix body suit)
· upholstery like on a couch, or in your shower curtain
· sex toys (specifically jelly toys or cyberskin ones)
· flexible hoses
Phthalates can be found in numerous household items as well, that we as consumers, use everyday like nail polish, caulk, and paint pigment or plastic grocery bags. Due to the small amount of phthalates in these items you don't really need to worry, however that does not mean that there aren't any health risks with phthalates in general.
Want more info on Phthalates? Check the following links
(CDC) Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Health risks in regard to sex toys
As with any harsh chemical, there are side effects to our usage of them. In regard to phthalates;
· High doses of phthalates have shown (in rodents) damage to the liver and testis as well as birth defects
· In 2005 a study reported exposure of pregnant women resulted in decreased anogenital size. (the space between the anus and the testis)
· Undescended testis in young males due to exposure while in the womb
· Lowered sperm counts in men
Now I'm going to assume your next question is...
How do phthalates get into your body ?
Through "leeching", a reaction that heat, agitation, and extended shelf life can accelerate...So if that toy you just purchased spent a very long length of time on the showroom floor, there is a very good chance that over time its started to give off the reaction faster then one that was just packaged up. The same goes for the friction provided in thrusting the toy during intercourse; Body heat + Friction = leeching.
Now that you're all scared about phthalates I want to let you know they don't stay in your body forever. Your body will naturally expel them in various forms, urine is a primary one, for the unborn the problem lays in the transfer from within the womb and for newborns in breast milk.
How to know if your toy is high in phthalates
This may sound silly but smell them. If they stink like rubber or chemicals, have an oily or greasy feel to them (and not because you forgot to wash off the lube from playtime the night before) and finally if they are sticky or tacky or made of a jelly material, they most likely have a very high amount of phthalates in them.
Other problems with Phthalates are due to them being very porous. By this I mean that they absorb fluid like lube or vaginal secretions. So if you have a yeast infection and you unknowingly use your jelly toy, it will (in most cases) absorb the bacteria and unless you clean it very VERY well, live within it until your next bought of midnight play time, with you inadvertently re-infecting yourself.
My suggestions
If you own any jelly toys your best bet is to start using a condom with them. This will help to limit the amount of cantact that the material has with your body. If you can afford it, I suggest that you buy a silicone toy like the platinum grade ones that Tantus makes. For those of you wondering why, silicone is non-porous, anti-bacterial, non-toxic, eco friendly, phthalate free, odorless, they wont cause irritations, rashes or infections, they can be used anally or vaginally and they are the best you can buy for quality and craftsmanship. Silicone toys like Tantus will be a bit more expensive then the generic brands but in the long run and in regard to your health and safety, trust me, its definitely worth it.
Hopefully you all learned something from reading this...and will make better choices with your toys the next time you go shopping.
Kara_sutra
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