Someone asked us:

Are there sex toys that are safer to use than others? What about lubrication? Thanks! You guys are the best! :)

You’re welcome! There are a lot of sex toys out there, and they can be made out of different materials including silicon, plastics, glass and more!  When thinking about materials, you mainly just want to make sure you stay away from phthalates, which are usually found in jelly rubber toys.  If you’re having sex and using a condom (which we highly recommend!), you’ll want to stay away from oil based lube because they can break down the latex.  Babeland has lots more details on toy materials  and lube materials.  But when it comes to preventing the transmission of STDs, it’s not so much about the toy as it is how you use it.

Sexually transmitted infections are spread by the exchange of body fluids (like semen, blood, and vaginal secretions) and by skin-to-skin genital contact. So one of the safest ways to use sex toys is to not share them. If you do share, then cover the toy with a condom and use a new one for each partner. Lastly, depending on what your toy is made out of, you can clean it with soap and water, put it in the dishwasher, or boil it, depending on what it’s made out of. Some sex toys can be cleaned but not disinfected. Again, Babeland can break this cleaning thing down for you best.

-Nathan at Planned Parenthood