Sex toys can be an exciting and potentially orgasmic way to spice up sexual activities for an individual, couple, or group. They can allow orgasms for people who otherwise can’t, improve access to orgasm, and provide gender-affirming care, so they can be very important when used safely. Below are some tips on how to safely enjoy your sex toys from finding body safe toys to using them.
Finding the Right Sex Toy(s)
There are a variety of sex toys for different types of pleasure and anatomy on the market today. Some of the more common ones include vibrators, dildos, sleeves, penis rings, strap-on harnesses, and anal toys.1 Some toys are made to be inserted into the vagina or anus and others are made for insertion into or for external use. If a toy will be inserted anally, make sure it has a large base so it cannot go all the way inside. Toys can go deep into the anus and get stuck, unlike the vagina. Depending on your individual needs, you may be interested in one or several types of sex toys. You can learn more about different types of toys, including those for a few more common kinks here: https://www.vice.com/en/article/v7dn98/how-to-use-sex-toys.
Sex toys can be purchased online from sex toy distributors including large-scale online marketplaces, or in person at adult sex shops. When purchasing, it’s important to pay attention not only to the type of toy, but also the quality.
Materials
Sex toys are made from a variety of materials. Most sex toys are made from a type of plastic or silicone, but these squishy toys are not the same. Many contain types of phthalates, which can affect fertility and brain functioning2 and emerging research suggests that plastic toys may release harmful microplastics as they degrade.3 Avoid unspecified plastic-looking toys or those labeled “jelly,” which is commonly PVC, a plastic unsafe to put inside your body.2 Some of these plastics are also porous, which means they can harbor bacteria, making them difficult to keep clean and unsafe to use.1
Use sex toys which are made of non-porous and non-toxic materials like silicone, metal, and glass. Bacteria can’t grow in unseen pores of these materials and they do not contain dangerous amounts of phthalates. However, they do still need to be kept clean.
Cleaning and Disease Prevention
Toys should be cleaned before and after use with a mild soap and warm water. This will prevent bacteria growth on the outside, which can cause disease. In addition, if the toys are shared between multiple people, they can spread STIs. To avoid the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), you can use condoms over the sex toy, and make sure to change it out when switching users.1
Lubricants
For use of anal toys, sleeves, and sometimes dildos, lubrication will be necessary to avoid unnecessary pain or discomfort. There are multiple types of lubrication available, the two main types being water-based and silicone-based. Water-based lubricants, because they are–you guessed it–water-based, can be absorbed into the body and therefore will lessen over time. Silicone-based lubricants are made of silicone and so are not directly absorbed into the body and will stick around and likely need to be cleaned up afterward. The use of silicone lubricant with a silicone toy greatly degrades the material, so it is important to always use a water-based lubricant with a silicone toy.1
References
1 Planned Parenthood provides a list of sex toys and how to use them in more detail (https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/sex-pleasure-and-sexual-dysfunction/sex-and-pleasure/sex-toys).
2 Nilsson, Malmgren-Hansen, Bernth, Pedersen, and Pommer at the Danish Technological Institute found this through chemical analysis of various types of sex toys (https://www2.mst.dk/udgiv/publications/2006/87-7052-227-8/pdf/87-7052-228-6.pdf).
3 Sipe, Amos, Swarthout, Turner, Wiesner, and Hendren used an abrasion test with four different types of sex toys of different materials to determine safety, and conclude that sex toy safety guidelines are not nearly stringent enough (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10034881/).