There have been documented health hazards associated with the use of phthalates but they refer to high dosages over a long period of time, according to Harold Rogers, a chemistry professor at Cal State-Fullerton. “Human responses (to exposure) range from irritation, headache, reddening of skin and itching to serious conditions such as cancers which take years to develop and are most difficult to trace to a single-source cause.”

Most manufacturers have heeded these warnings and are now producing toys without phthalates and listing the risks on the product box. Always read the ingredient list or warning box carefully and if a certain toy contains any harmful chemicals, use it with a condom to lower your risk.

Apart from carcinogenic properties, the biggest concern with sex toys is their cleanliness. Sex toys can transmit sexually transmitted disease from an infected person to someone else. It’s very important to refrain from sharing sex toys with anyone as these are very intimate items.

If you are using a sex toy, remember to clean it with hot water and soap before and after you use it. You can also buy special toy cleaners from your local adult shop or website, but it’s always advisable to use a condom with any toy. Use latex condoms and lubricant with your toys to enhance the pleasure and limit any nasty bacterial infections. Water-based lubrication decreases damage to the mucous membranes which increases safety and comfort. Never use oil-based lubricants (like Vaseline and baby oil) because they don’t work well with condoms and can lead to condom breakage.

Never switch a toy between the anus and vagina and always remember to wash it before you use it somewhere else. The bacteria in the anus can be very harmful to the sensitive vagina, leading to very serious infections.

“It is a foreign substance in your body, so you want to reduce the risk,” Mary Hermann, director of Health Education and Promotion at the CSUF Health Center. “Using adult toys is healthy as long as they are being used safely and for the purposes intended.”

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