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Sipe JM, Amos JD, Swarthout RF, Turner A, Wiesner MR, Hendren CO. Bringing sex toys out of the dark: exploring unmitigated risks. MICROPLASTICS AND NANOPLASTICS 2023; 3:6. [PMID: 36974201 PMCID: PMC10034881 DOI: 10.1186/s43591-023-00054-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED A majority of American adults report having used sex toys, which, by design, interact with intimate and permeable body parts yet have not been subject to sufficient risk assessment or management. Physical and chemical data are presented examining potential risks associated with four types of currently available sex toys: anal toy, beads, dual vibrator, and external vibrator. A standardized abrasion machine made real-time breakdown of products into microplastics and nanoplastics. The microplastics from the sex toys were then solvent extracted and analyzed using GC-MS. Rates of microplastics and nanoplastics released during abrasion testing from most microplastic release to least was the anal toy, beads, dual vibrator, external vibrator. Both micro- and nanoplastics particles were generated following the abrasion test, with the 50 percentile diameters (D50) ranging from the anal beads at 658.5 μm, dual vibrator at 887.83 μm, anal toy at 950 μm, and external vibrator at 1673.33 μm. The material matrix of each product was analyzed using ATR-FTIR, with results identifying the anal toy as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the anal beads as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), the external vibrator as a silicone blend (polydimethylsiloxane [PDMS]), and the dual vibrator as a rubber mixture (polyisoprene). After extraction, phthalates known to be endocrine disruptors were present in all tested sex toys at levels exceeding hazard warnings. Analogous findings have been reported for similar materials that, when incorporated into other product categories, are subject to regulatory scrutiny in both the US and EU. This data set is not intended to be representative of sex toys as an entire class of products, nor are the abrasion experiments claiming to simulate exact use conditions. However, these exploratory data frame potential concerns, highlighting research questions and the need for prompt prioritization of protective action. Therefore, future studies and multi-stakeholder action are needed to understand and reduce risk for this class of products. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s43591-023-00054-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Marie Sipe
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC USA
| | - Jaleesia D. Amos
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC USA
| | - Robert F. Swarthout
- A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC USA
- Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC USA
| | - Amalia Turner
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC USA
| | - Mark R. Wiesner
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC USA
| | - Christine Ogilvie Hendren
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC USA
- Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC USA
- Research Institute of Environment, Energy and Economics, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC USA
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Dewitte M, Reisman Y. Clinical use and implications of sexual devices and sexually explicit media. Nat Rev Urol 2021; 18:359-377. [PMID: 33948009 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-021-00456-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Given that sexual pleasure is a core component of sexual health, devices that are designed to enhance and diversify sexual pleasure are particularly useful in clinical practice. Despite their growing popularity and widespread use in various biopsychosocial circumstances, many taboos still seem to exist, as indicated by the paucity of scientific literature on the prevalence, application and effectiveness of sexual devices for therapeutic use. However, sex toys and sexual devices are commonly used and have a variety of indications to expand individual and partnered sexuality and to treat sexual difficulties. Different devices are associated with specific advantages and potential risks, opportunities, barriers and ethical challenges when used in a clinical context. Increased knowledge about the aim and functional possibilities of sexual devices might help health-care professionals overcome potential embarrassment, preconceptions and other barriers, learn which patients might benefit from which products, consider their use in treatment programmes, educate about correct use and safety issues, and facilitate open communication about sexual pleasure with their patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marieke Dewitte
- Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.
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Svobodova L, Dvorakova M, Rucki M, Kejlova K, Kandarova H, Kolarova H, Mannerstrom M, Heinonen T. Safety testing of adult novelties using in vitro methods. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2020; 117:104780. [PMID: 32898621 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2020.104780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Despite widespread and prolonged use of adult novelties, their health safety is not regularly tested or legally regulated. In the EU, adult novelties are subjected to the General Product Safety Directive, placing the burden of proof regarding safe products onto the manufacturers. The aim of our pilot study was to expand knowledge on potential application of in vitro methods for hazard prediction of extracts from final products. We subjected extracts of 20 adult novelties, purchased on the Czech market to toxicological tests including NRU cytotoxicity assay, sensitization tests DPRA and LuSens and the YES/YAS endocrine assay. Four samples produced cytotoxicity. Sensitization potential was recorded by DPRA (three samples) while the LuSens reported ten samples. Regarding endocrine disruption, three samples produced antiestrogen and antiandrogen effects. Six samples exhibited androgenic potential and one sample showed estrogenic potential. Positive results with possible health effects were recorded repeatedly for samples made of ABS, PVC and latex. The study has confirmed promising usefulness of our test methods combination with regard to safety testing of this type of consumer products. The results should be evaluated with care, however, the data bring added-value to the limited knowledge of mixture toxicology and are indicative for further testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Svobodova
- National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Šrobárova 48/49, 100 00, Prague 10, Czech Republic; Department of Medical Biophysics, Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University in Olomouc, Czech Republic.
| | - M Dvorakova
- National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Šrobárova 48/49, 100 00, Prague 10, Czech Republic; Charles University in Prague, Third Faculty of Medicine, Ruská 87, 100 00, Prague 10, Czech Republic.
| | - M Rucki
- National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Šrobárova 48/49, 100 00, Prague 10, Czech Republic.
| | - K Kejlova
- National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Šrobárova 48/49, 100 00, Prague 10, Czech Republic.
| | - H Kandarova
- Centre of Experimental Medicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská Cesta 9, 841 04, Bratislava, Slovakia; Institute of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Radlinského 9, 812 37, Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - H Kolarova
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University in Olomouc, Czech Republic.
| | - M Mannerstrom
- FICAM, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, FI-33014 Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.
| | - T Heinonen
- FICAM, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, FI-33014 Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.
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Rullo JE, Lorenz T, Ziegelmann MJ, Meihofer L, Herbenick D, Faubion SS. Genital vibration for sexual function and enhancement: best practice recommendations for choosing and safely using a vibrator. SEXUAL AND RELATIONSHIP THERAPY 2018; 33:275-285. [PMID: 33223961 DOI: 10.1080/14681994.2017.1419558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Vibrators are an evidence-based treatment for a variety of sexual dysfunctions and sexual enhancement; however, the use of a genital vibrator lacks best practice recommendations. This aim of this article is to provide current, best practice recommendations regarding the use of vibratory stimulation for the treatment of sexual dysfunction and/or sexual or relationship enhancement. A multidisciplinary team of sexual health specialists collaborated to develop best practice recommendations based on a narrative literature review. Recommendations for the use of vibratory stimulation for the treatment of sexual dysfunction are provided, with special attention to counseling patients on choosing and safely using a vibrator. Further study is needed to determine the most effective methods to counsel patients on vibrator use and to provide evidence-based cleaning recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan E Rullo
- Department of Psychology and Psychiatry, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.,Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Tierney Lorenz
- Department of Psychological Science, University of North Carolina At Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | | | - Laura Meihofer
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Debra Herbenick
- Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Stephanie S Faubion
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Nowosielski K, Sipiński A, Kuczerawy I, Kozłowska‐Rup D, Skrzypulec‐Plinta V. Tattoos, Piercing, and Sexual Behaviors in Young Adults. J Sex Med 2012; 9:2307-14. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02791.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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