Sex Toys: Pleasure or Risk?
As sex toys break down with use, they may release harmful chemicals, like phthalates and microplastics, inside the body.
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Sex toys enhance pleasure and satisfaction during solo or partnered intimacy. The majority (90%) of women have used a toy at some point in their lives, compared to 44% of men, with even higher usage among queer individuals. Toys come in an assortment of styles, each designed to enhance different experiences. They can aid in achieving orgasm, treat certain disorders like vaginismus (painful vaginal tightness), and affirm gender identity.
But with pleasure comes potential risk. Toys should be used responsibly to avoid injury, often caused by getting items stuck in the body’s most vulnerable places. Body-safe materials, like medical-grade silicone, stainless steel, or glass, should be used over other options. Finally, proper hygiene—cleaning with warm, soapy water after use—is necessary to prevent transmitting STIs and other infections through the toy.
Even when you heed these warnings, not all sex toys are safe. Many popular toys are made of plastics that may release harmful chemicals, including phthalates—a known endocrine disruptor—or microplastics inside the body. To measure the release of microplastics during use, Joana Marie Sipe and colleagues examined the material composition and breakdown of popular sex toys. Anal toys, beads, external vibrators, and dual vibrators were tested using an abrasion machine to simulate wear over time.
As toys break down, they release microplastics. External vibrators shed the most and largest microplastics, while beads released the least. These findings raise concerns, as there are no known safe levels of microplastics.
The researchers also discovered that all products contained phthalates in the released microplastics, with levels from the dual vibrator and beads exceeding safety thresholds. Since there are no national regulations for sex toys, phthalate limits set for children’s toys were used as the reference point.
With no existing national safety measures, the researchers urge the implementation of safety regulations for sex toys. Until then, manufacturers should prioritize using body-safe materials and provide clear labeling. To balance pleasure with safety, consumers should review the composition and quality of products before purchasing.
