The role of sex has long gone beyond the biological purpose of procreation. Today, it is primarily a way to experience pleasure, express love for oneself and one's partner. Want to expand your horizons, develop your sensuality, and experience new sensations? Use sexual toys. But don’t forget that improper handling can pose a threat.
Sex toys can pose a risk in terms of infection. The greatest risk of catching an infection arises during group sex. In the heat of passion, it’s unlikely that anyone will wash and disinfect the gadget after each partner. And if even one member of the group is a carrier of sexually transmitted microbes, the others almost have no chance of staying "clean."
Along with sexual pleasure, you could end up with gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, syphilis, HIV, viral hepatitis, chlamydia, mycoplasma, ureaplasma, herpes viruses, and human papillomavirus. However, sometimes, it’s not even necessary to "play" in groups of three or four to attract problems.
The danger of introducing germs into the genital tract exists even when using sex toys individually. This primarily applies to those who, in addition to traditional vaginal sex, practice anal and oral stimulation.
The microbiomes of the rectum and the oral cavity are radically different from the reproductive organs’ flora. Using a sex toy during a combination of different techniques "in one go" can result in the transfer of foreign microorganisms into the vagina, disrupting its natural microbial balance.
This developing dysbiosis is accompanied by discomfort in the intimate area: discharge, itching, and burning in the vulvar region. Against this backdrop, inflammatory diseases and other serious health problems can arise.
Love gadgets can not only serve as "transportation" but also as "homes" for pathogens. Of course, viruses can live on smooth surfaces for no more than a few hours, while bacteria can survive for a bit longer, up to 1–3 days. However, Candida fungi, which cause the well-known "thrush," can survive on toys for up to 2 weeks.
In porous materials, which retain moisture inside their micropores for a long time, germs can live even longer. You can treat yourself for as long as you like, take pills, and insert suppositories for candidiasis, but if you continue using your "favorite" toy regularly, it will undo all your efforts. The disease will return repeatedly until the fungi are expelled from their "bungalow."
Vibrators, dildos, vaginal eggs, and various massagers are all intended for personal use only. To avoid infection, they should not be shared with others. However, even within a family, hygiene rules must be followed.
All sex toys must be cleaned immediately after use with warm water and a neutral cleaning solution. It is best to use soap that does not contain aggressive fragrances and dyes that can penetrate deep into the material.
If the toy runs on batteries or has other power elements but is not hermetically sealed, it should not be immersed in water. To clean it, first wipe the surface with a cloth soaked in soapy water, then rinse off the detergent with clean water.
If the toy has no power elements or they are securely protected, it can simply be washed with soap under running water, just like washing your hands.
Attention! Toys made from elastomers that mimic human skin should not be exposed to large amounts of cleaning agents. These products dry out the delicate material too much, which can damage it and significantly reduce its lifespan.
To ensure that gadgets bring only joy, they must be disinfected after use, and some even before play. There are two methods to destroy microbes — thermal and chemical.
A household method of thermal treatment is boiling. High temperatures quickly and effectively kill almost all microorganisms. The downside is that it is harmful to many materials.
Heat is not tolerated by thermoplastic and jelly-like rubbers, elastomers, latex, and polyvinyl chloride. However, toys made from borosilicate glass, metal, and silicone can be safely boiled for 3–4 minutes (for glass and metal) and 2 minutes (for silicone).
Attention! Sex gadgets made of thermally sensitive "vibrating" sodium-lime glass require the same gentle handling as latex and elastomer products. They should not be boiled.
Chemical disinfection involves destroying microbes with antiseptic agents. Antiseptics block the growth of microbes and destroy their cells. This is very effective but not always safe for humans.
When antiseptic products come into contact with hands, they can cause allergic reactions such as rashes, blisters, dermatitis, and eczema. Harmful substances can penetrate the respiratory tract with the air, causing irritation and potentially triggering bronchial asthma.
Of course, if you are not allergic or asthmatic, and your toys are made from non-porous materials like glass, metal, or plastic, almost any skin antiseptic will work for cleaning, as long as you rinse off the residues with water afterward, there will be no harm to your health. If the gadget is made of porous elastomer, rubber, latex, or PVC, extra caution is needed when choosing an antiseptic.
Sometimes, sex is so unforgettable that there’s no energy left for cleaning toys afterward. In such cases, you can clean love gadgets with a toy cleaner.
A toy cleaner (toy-cleaner) is an antimicrobial product designed specifically for cleaning sex toys. It can come in different forms: spray, foam, or gel. The composition is carefully selected to ensure comfortable and effective cleaning and disinfection of sex toys.
A good cleaning spray removes biological contaminants and lubricant residues from the surface of the toy, eliminates unpleasant odors, but does not damage the material's structure or cause stains on its surface. The problem, however, is that, despite its positive qualities, the cleaner may pose a health risk.
Many toy cleaners contain quite harmful substances, such as parabens, surfactants, and quaternary ammonium compounds (quats).
Parabens are used as preservatives and stabilizers. They help keep the cleaner's consistency intact and ensure its safety in terms of infection.
The amount of parabens in cleaning products is strictly regulated by law. However, porous sex toy materials can accumulate these harmful substances and release them during subsequent use, undermining health.
Parabens can cause allergic reactions, harm the vaginal flora, and even alter hormonal balance. This is because, in terms of molecular structure, these substances resemble female sex hormones, particularly estrogens. When active locally in the intimate area, they may provoke estrogen-dependent effects. This can lead to ovarian dysfunction and disruptions in the menstrual cycle.
A prominent representative of this group is sodium lauryl sulfate, added to toy cleaners to enhance their cleansing properties. Surfactants make the product foam, allowing it to effectively remove contaminants, including oils. However, the residues of this substance on the toys can pose significant health risks.
Sodium lauryl sulfate can irritate the skin and mucous membranes, penetrate deep into tissues, and lower their immunity. Some studies even suggested carcinogenic properties, although these concerns have not been conclusively proven. Nevertheless, the potential danger should not be ignored.
Quats, or quaternary ammonium compounds, such as benzalkonium chloride, are antibacterial agents. Research has shown that they can irritate the vagina, destroy beneficial lactobacillus strains, and cause dysbiosis. This reduces natural protection and opens the door to pathogenic microbes, leading to inflammatory diseases.
Using toy cleaners containing quats can lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. When these cause inflammatory diseases of the genitals, treatment becomes extremely difficult. The complications affect sexual and reproductive health.
There is plenty of research confirming that quats directly cause fertility issues, even leading to infertility. These substances can disrupt spermatogenesis, reduce sperm count and motility, hinder ovulation, and provoke developmental defects in embryos.
Of course, such "side effects" have not gone unnoticed by regulatory bodies. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) even tried to ban the use of two of the most common quats — benzalkonium chloride and benzethonium chloride. However, due to "pleas" from manufacturers, they delayed the decision for several years.
It is expected that during this period, studies will be conducted that will demonstrate the safety of quaternary ammonium compounds. For now, consumers have no choice but to carefully read the labels of cleaners and avoid those that may be potentially harmful. However, there is another solution.
Ёska offers a spray for cleaning and disinfecting sex toys and menstrual cups, which is made from 100% oregano hydrosol and essential oils of cedar and eucalyptus. It contains no harmful ingredients. It safely cleans and disinfects, eliminating bacteria and fungi attached to the surface.
The fresh scent of a morning garden eliminates unpleasant odors. The gentle cleaning prolongs the life of your favorite toy. Just dry it and store it away.
Attention! In some cases, to remove residual moisture, manufacturers recommend using special antiseptic talcum powder. This must never be replaced with baby powder or, even worse, starch or flour. This will lead to rapid bacterial contamination of the toy and turn it into a time bomb.
Store gadgets in their original packaging. This is the simplest option. If it’s not suitable for any reason, you can purchase a satin pouch or special box for your "friend." In any case, it should not just lie in the nightstand collecting dust.
When it's time for another romantic encounter, be sure to clean the sex toy again and treat it with a cleaner. This won't take much time, but it will save you from many problems.
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