Are sex toys safe?

There are a number of things you should consider when looking at this question.  The sex toys industry is not regulated in most countries and while most sex toys bought from reputable shops and websites are safe if used responsibly and they are kept clean, there are a number of areas you should pay attention to.  

The main things to consider are :

Avoiding sexually transmitted infections

STIs such as Chlamydia, Syphilis, Herpes, Bacterial Vaginosis and Shingella.  You can avoid these STIs by

• keeping sex toys perfectly clean - making sure you wash them immediately after each use and ideally before using them.
• covering penetrative sex toys, such as vibrators, with a new condom each time they are used.
• not sharing sex toys with anyone else.
• having a different set of sex toys for each partner

Avoiding blood borne infections

Do not share any sex toy that may draw blood, as this type of sex toy can pass on blood borne infections such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV and AIDS.  Take special care when using penetrative sex toys, particularly if you have any cuts or sores as this leads to an increased risk of passing on infections.

Cleaning sex toys

Cleaniness of all sex toys 

Body safe materials

Several studies have found that some plastics used in (mainly cheap) sex toys can contain dangerous compounds such as Bisphenol A, phtalates, PVC and BPA which can cause a number of serious conditions including infertility, breast cancer and heart disease. You should carefully check what materials your sex toys is made from especially if you are considering inserting it in any part of your body !