When it comes to having sex, there’s one aspect everyone involved should be concerned about: safety.
When most people think of safe sex, they think of wearing condoms or dental dams and taking birth control. Don’t get us wrong: these aspects do all contribute to having safe, fun sex that prevents both disease and unwanted pregnancy.
Many people know if they’re being safe when it comes to penetration or oral sex. But do you know if you’re using sex toys in a safe manner?
If not, read on to learn how!
Only Purchase Safe Materials
Do you know what you’re putting into your body?
Many people assume that if a sex toy is on the market, it’s safe for whatever activities for which they wish to use it. Unfortunately, this simply isn’t true.
Quite a few sex toys are made with toxic materials that should never go in your body no matter what else you do to stay safe. In general, you should avoid phthalates.
Phthalates are carcinogens often used to increase the flexibility of sex toys. They are often found in jelly-like sex toys and can harm your reproductive system and even cause cancer.
In fact, they’re so dangerous that baby pacifier-making companies were banned from using them in 1999, but some companies still use them in their adult toys.
Since no one wants a sex life with a side of life-threatening conditions, make sure you check that there are no phthalates in your toys.
Be Careful About Sharing
Did you know that it’s just as important to be careful about who uses your sex toys as it is to make sure you both practice safe sex?
That’s because when you use sex toys, you leave each other vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases. To prevent this, make sure your toys are thoroughly cleaned between uses.
In addition, you should ensure that your partner is free of STDs before choosing to share.
Use Safe Lube
Before using sex toys that you insert into either your anus or vagina, make sure you use lube.
This is especially true if you plan on using the toy for anal penetration. The vagina self-lubricates, meaning less lube is needed. The anus, though, does not lubricate at all. Inserting a toy without lubrication can be painful and dangerous, especially if the toy is large.
Just like you shouldn’t utilize toys that contain toxic materials, check the ingredients used in your lube to make sure there are no toxic or dangerous chemicals.
You should also prioritize using toys that have handles on the end to prevent them from getting stuck.
Use Condoms on the Toys
Condoms aren’t just for oral sex or person-to-person penetration!
In fact, if you cover a toy with a condom during partnered sex, it could prevent you from getting an STD. Just make sure to change the condom in-between uses.
You can also wash the toy, just to be extra safe.
Want more safe sex advice? Check out tips from Pure Romance!
Want More Safe Sex Advice?
Now that you know how to use toys during safe sex, you’re ready to have some fun in the bedroom!
Having safe sex should be a priority for all sexually-active people. If you follow the tips above, you’ll be well on your way to having a fun time that comes with no regrets!
Want more sex advice? Check out the rest of our articles!
