Shopping for Non-Toxic Sex Toys

There’s been a lot of buzz lately on the health and science blogs about BPA and phthalates. You probably already know not to nuke plastic or leave your water bottles baking in the hot sun; the plastic breaks down and releases cancer-causing chemicals. But did you know that some sex toys can cause health problems, too?

Phthalates, sometimes called plasticizers, are used to soften plastic. They are sometimes used to make your favorite sex toys soft, smooth and flexible. Phthalates are found specifically in plastics like PVC.

Similar to a water bottle left in the hot sun, the phthalates in rubber and jelly sex toys break free with time and normal wear and tear. If you boil your toys to sterilize them, this accelerates the process. You can learn more about the dangers of phthalates in this article.

Phthalates have been linked to:

-    birth defects when pregnant women use products with phthalates
-    reproductive problems in male infants
-    early onset of puberty

For these reasons, pregnant or nursing women should never use products with phthalates. Phthalates have also been found to cause:

-    Low sperm count / poor semen quality
-    Reproductive development issues

These are exactly the kind of side effects you don’t want in a sex toy.

Fortunately, many manufacturers have already taken phthalates out of many of their popular products. For instance, Doc Johnson’s Blush Vibe with a ribbed sleeve is manufactured from safe ABS plastic with a phthalate-free elastomer (UR3) sleeve.

As for BPA? It isn’t commonly used in sex toys. Simply look for hard plastic vibes, dildos and butt plugs manufactured from ABS plastic.

So which materials are safe for sex toys?

TPE – TPE, aka Thermoplastic elastomer is a silky soft plastic that has, so far, been deemed safe for most uses. Many “green” children’s toys have parts manufactured from TPE, so if it’s safe for a kid to put in his mouth, it’s probably safe for you to put – well, anywhere. The Sapphire Magnum cock ring is manufactured from this versatile material. However, it is slightly porous, so while you don’t have to worry about toxic chemicals, you do have to clean it well to avoid the spread of disease and bacteria growth.

ABS plastic – Most hard plastic sex toys are manufactured from this safe, non-porous plastic. If you’re not seeking a lifelike material but instead want a firm, hard toy, ABS plastic is a cost-effective, safe choice.

Silicone – This luxurious, albeit pricey, sex toy material – sometimes called medical-grade silicone – is recognized as one of the safest options. Not only is it completely non-porous and easy-to-clean, but silicone doesn’t break down, releasing harmful chemicals into your body. Beware of toys advertised as a silicone mix, which may include toxic plastics as part of the blend.

Glass – A luxurious, glamorous option, glass toys such as Doc Johnson’s Glass Pleasure Dong are safe, easy to clean (they can be boiled for sterilization) and beautiful, as well! There’s no question about what a glass toy contains, and it will last virtually forever. The downside, of course, is that glass toys don’t have options for vibration. Glass dildos, however, offer a unique feel unlike any other sex toy.

How can you tell what your toy is made of?

You know that plastic or rubbery smell when you take your sex toy out of the package for the first time? That’s bad. Those are the chemicals in the plastic already breaking down, releasing all those molecules that damage your health. But how will you know before you make your purchase?

When you shop at Vibrator.com, unless you are buying a toy labeled “medical grade silicone” or a pure glass dildo, look for the words “phthalate-free” (in soft rubber toys) or ABS plastic (in hard toys). Lots of great toys exist, and these toys are not only safe for you, they’re better for the environment, too.

Top 5 Anal Toys for Men

A friend (read: playmate) recently confessed that any woman who entered his backdoor with a finger or toy could basically win his heart (and cock) for life. For those who’ve never experienced the thrill of a prostate massager, (I’m told) it offers unrivaled pleasure leading to uncontrollably intense orgasms.

The anus contains one of the highest concentrations of nerve endings per square inch in the body. That, combined with the ass being the portal to the highly sensitive prostate – often dubbed “the male g-spot”– makes anal stimulation some of the most intense sexual experiences a man can have.

For men unaccustomed to inserting toys (or anything else) in that region, stretching out the area with a butt plug, first, might be beneficial.
With that in mind, Vibrator.com offers our list of the top five anal toys for men – and why they rock.

As always, practice safe sex. Make sure any toy you use is clean and sterilized, do not share toys (pass them back and forth) without cleaning them first, and use plenty of lube to prevent tiny rips and tears in the anus, which could lead to infection. Stop if you experience any pain beyond slight discomfort.

Prostate Massagers/Vibrators for Men

Aneros MGX – This company manufactures a wide range of critically-acclaimed male sex toys, designed with feedback from medical professionals. The company’s best-selling MGX model is 3.6 inches of smooth, comfortable plastic, plus ridges toward the lower end of the toy. The hands-free, self-pivoting mechanism is exclusive to the Aneros line and it leaves both hands free to pleasure other areas to provoke amazingly intense dual orgasms, or to stimulate yourself and your partner. Really, with both hands free and the Aneros doing its job on the back-end, the possibilities are endless.

Dr. Joel Kaplan Prostate Massager – For men who envy their lady’s multispeed vibrators, the Prostate Massager from Dr. Joel Kaplan packs multispeed, one-handed operation into a vibe specifically shaped to stimulate the prostate. This multispeed vibrator can be used in or out of the water. The slim design makes it ideal for beginners to anal play, making it Vibrator.com’s number-one-selling prostate vibe.

The Rude-Boy – It’s rugged, masculine, and also hygienic. The Rude-Boy vibrating dual action stimulator offers hands-free operation for intense stimulation of the prostate and perineum. You won’t believe the orgasms you can have when both your hands are free and the Rude-Boy is humming merrily along. Soft, flexible medical-grade silicone also makes this toy one of the safest men’s massagers available.

Butt Plugs

NJoy Pure Plugs – For a night of anal play that is purely NJoy-able, the uniquely-shaped, weighted Pure Plugs fill your every desire. Designed with a unique curve, large head and small stem for added comfort, plus a handle for powerful control and ease of removal when playtime’s over, the Pure Plug stands out amongst hundreds of models of butt plugs. Available in three sizes (small, medium and large), this butt plug is perfect for beginners and pros alike.

Pop Plugs – Doc Johnson’s very reasonably priced Pop Plugs come in three sizes and feature a handy pull ring for easy removal. At this price, you can purchase all three sizes, so your butt plug will grow as you do. Manufactured from phthalate-free medical grade silicone, Pop Plugs are soft, silky and hygienic.

Farrah’s Death Raises Anal Cancer Awareness

It’s often hard to make sense of death, especially when the death follows a long battle with a rare illness. Although cancer in so many forms has permeated our society, anal cancer remains quite rare. According to the American Cancer Society, slightly over 5,000 cases are diagnosed each year, with 700 people dying from the disease. On June 25, 2009, 70s icon and former Charlie’s Angel star Farrah Fawcett was one of its victims.

Because of the body part it afflicts, and also because of the stigma attached to it, anal cancer is rarely publicized and often diagnosed too late. In Farrah Fawcett’s case, it was diagnosed and treated in 2006, but then returned this April and spread. On June 25, 2009, the beauty icon passed away from the cancer, which it is reported had spread to her liver.

“Farrah’s Story”
Although the disease, as cancer goes, is quite rare, it is also frequently ignored. Let’s face it: exams used to detect this type of cancer are uncomfortable, at best. The same goes for discussing the topic.

Farrah Fawcett’s documentary, “Farrah’s Story,” which aired on NBC in late May, shed light on the disease and on Farrah’s struggle. During the latter part of her life, Farrah brought several facts about anal cancer into the public eye.

1. If diagnosed early, patients have an 80 to 90 % remission rate.
2. If the cancer is localized and detected in its first stage, the 5-year survival is approximately 82%.
3. According to the American Cancer Society, up to 85 % of all anal cancers are caused by the HPV (human papillomavirus) infection, but it is not a sexually transmitted disease per se.
4. Since up to 25 % of all women have, at some point, contracted the HPV virus, while sexual promiscuity increases the risk of anal cancer, it is not the only risk factor.

Risk Factors
In addition to the HPV virus, risk factors for anal cancer include:

-         being over the age of 50
-         a weakened immune system
-         smoking
-         family history

It’s important to stress that anal cancer is not necessarily an indicator of sexual promiscuity – having many sexual partners is just one of many risk factors. Because small tears in the anus can lead to easier transmission of the HPV virus, practicing safe anal sex can decrease the odds of contracting the disease. The use of condoms can protect against HPV transmission, but may not entirely prevent it.

Symptoms of Anal Cancer
Symptoms of anal cancer include anal bleeding, itching and soreness. Other symptoms include changes in bowel habits, pain or pressure in that area, and unusual discharge from the area. Again, because of the high remission rate when the cancer is detected early, see a doctor if you exhibit any of these symptoms.

What about the HPV Vaccine?
Two vaccines—GlaxoSmithKline’s Cervarix and Merck’s Gardasil—have been shown to protect against some cancer-causing strains of HPV. However, neither vaccine has been approved for use to specifically prevent anal cancer. You can read more about the vaccine in this post, HPV Vaccine: Cancer Prevention or Corporate Profits?

As with any other form of cancer, knowledge of risk factors and symptoms, along with early detection and treatment, are the keys to better health.

Geeks Dig Sex Toys, Make the Best Lovers

One of my closest online friends called me a “dork” today, and I wear the title proudly. She wasn’t talking about a whale penis, either.

I am a nerd, and always have been. Since nerds of a feather flock together… I’m also married to an IT professional.

I can’t say I was shocked to see the findings of an anonymous survey, conducted by www.PS3PriceCompare.co.uk, of 2,000 British men and women. It turns out IT workers make the best, most unselfish lovers. They are also the most likely, amongst those polled, to use sex toys.

The survey asked about whose pleasure is more important in the bedroom, the frequency of sex, and the respondents’ willingness to use sex toys.

In the question about the least selfish lovers (that is, those who said their partner’s pleasure was more important than their own), IT workers came out on top, with 82 % saying that’s the case. Seventy-four percent of office workers claim to be selfless in the bedroom, and 70 % of workers in the healthcare industry. That last statistic makes sense, as health care workers are naturally nurturing and giving. This article in the British tabloid, The Sun, shows the rest of the list.

So why are geeks better in bed?

It may come down to more Kevin Smith wisdom. As Rosario Dawson’s character in Clerks II said, “Ugly guys have to try harder.” The same goes for geeks. They know they don’t necessarily “have it all,” sothey work with what they’ve got. And they know how to work it—with attentiveness and tender loving care.

Blogger Ashley Nelson, over at Divine Caroline, has her own reasons for loving geeks. In essence, it comes down to being attracted to guys we can relate to.

Ashley, myself, and countless other women all want guys we can laugh with. Guys with just a little bit of the underdog in them, making them lovable and easy to root for. Guys who can reconnect our wireless network when it inexplicably goes down two hours before a major work deadline…True story, that last one.

Why do nerds dig vibes?

Even more interesting than IT workers making the best lovers were the survey responses indicating IT workers were the most likely (78 %) to use sex toys. Can we take the easy way out and say they’re just comfortable around technology? Something like the Beyond 2000 GX4 probably sounds uber-cool to your favorite gadget-loving geek. And who knows? He may even try to mod your ohMiBod to make it even more powerful.

But, beyond an attraction to cool tech toys, I think it comes down, again, to the confidence issue.

If a guy has made it to adulthood as a geek, most of the stigma attached to the stereotype in high school has faded away. He’s survived the atomic wedgies and all the teasing to emerge a stronger man. Geeks won’t be intimidated by the Clitapatra Twister or the Deep Stroker Rabbit.

Geeks get IT Done Right

Oddly, with all their positive attributes in the bedroom, only 38 % of nerds reported having sex more than three times a week. Office workers topped the frequency list at 53 %, ahead of sports and fitness industry professionals, at 47%.

Could it be that since nerds take more time, are more adventurous, and pay more attention to their lovers, they’re just more focused on quality than quantity? Or maybe they’re just spending more time focused on their lady’s needs – like that damn buggy wireless connection!

Contemplating Farrah Fawcett & Michael Jackson as Sex Symbols

Whenever a group of people get together, it’s been said, the topic of conversation inevitably shifts to sex or death. And so, as the world recently lost two stars long before their time, it’s fitting to contemplate their roles in pop culture as sex symbols.

With Farrah Fawcett, the former Charlie’s Angel who defined sexy for an entire generation, it’s easy. But in his prime — before plastic surgery turned him into a parody of himself and child molestation charges gave the media fuel to denounce him as a freak — Michael Jackson was every bit as sexy as a supermodel.

So What Is Sexy?
What defines a sex symbol? Thick blonde hair, a tight body and a smile to kill for—along with the ability to kick ass on a top-rated TV show–certainly don’t hurt. But to be sexy…really, truly sexy… requires something far greater. Farrah Fawcett had it.

The fact that every girl of that generation wanted their hair to look just like Farrah’s was one side effect. But it wasn’t her golden locks, or even her body or her gorgeous features that all the girls wanted and the guys lusted after. It wasn’t even the fact that she showed a whole generation that women could be strong and powerful and still beautiful. Those things helped to make her the best selling pin-up girl of all times. But mostly it was the entire package, the attitude, the je ne sais quoi that turns some people into starlets. Call it confidence, but it transcends such a simple word. Farrah, who battled the very rare anal cancer, maintained that power, grace and beauty right until the end.

Sadly, Farrah’s death at age 62 after a long struggle, was overshadowed when the King of Pop Michael Jackson died unexpectedly of a supposed heart attack later that day, June 25.

Raw Talent = Sexy
Unlike Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson had difficulty maintaining his grace under fire, tabloid rumors and general weirdness, but that does not detract from his contributions to the music world. Along with Madonna, Michael Jackson defined an era of pop music. His soft yet powerful lilting voice and his dance moves were the stuff of junior high and high school dances.

What Generation X-er doesn’t remember learning to moonwalk, or gathering in front of the TV with your friends to watch the World Premiere of Thriller on MTV? Innocent times, those… bear with me while thirty-something Desiree Sweet waxes nostalgic, wipes a tear away for those bygone days… because yes, Michael Jackson was decidedly sexy. It had to be the music.

May I share a personal memory? Growing up as a teen in the days of magazines like Tiger Beat, my bedroom walls were plastered with photos of the teen stars of the day: Rob Lowe, Patrick Swayze, and Tom Cruise. (Don’t get me started on “Where are they now?”)  Amidst all those “conventionally gorgeous” teen stars, Michael Jackson also had a place of honor. He transcended standard definitions of hot, his music, his dance moves and his stage presence making girls of the time fall in love with him.

Sexy Never Dies
At age 50, Michael Jackson was set for a comeback, proving: “Once a star, always a star.” But those hopes ended tragically. As of this writing, no one is sure exactly what happened but we’re sure to find out before the media storm dies.

One thing we do know: Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson typified their respective eras and genres and will be missed. But we can keep their star quality alive, remembering them in our minds as the very definition of sexy.

Is Your Bedroom Ripe for Romance?

Did you know that your bedroom décor can impact your sex life? I’m not talking about mirrors hanging from the ceiling or a sex swing in the corner (although they can be great fun!) Simple decorating choices can spice up your love life or turn it into a dud. Follow these tips to spice up your love life by changing your surroundings.

Clear the clutter. The Chinese art of Feng Shui deals with the flow of chi (energy) through a space. If your bedroom doesn’t feel like a sanctuary, it could be related to stagnant chi. Clear the clutter from the space to permit chi to flow freely and make sure there is room on both sides of the bed to walk. Do not store anything under the bed.

Get rid of negative energy. Negative energy may be related to past lovers or arguments with your present mate. Open windows, wash the linens and “air out” the room. Light a sweet-scented candle; strawberry is known to be an aphrodisiac. Some people recommend burning sage to “cleanse” a space.

A second-hand bed – or one you slept in with another lover — may contain “ghosts” of the past in the form of negative energy. Buy a new bed if possible, one that belongs exclusively to you and your lover.

Reduce family influence in the bedroom. Who wants to have sex with a picture of Grandma staring down at you? If you put any pictures in the bedroom, make sure they are happy photos of you and your lover. No parents, no children, no friends. In an extreme case of this mistake, a friend of mine kept an urn with her mother’s ashes in the bedroom. She said it didn’t bother her until my husband pointed it out… but still…

Shut work out (and no workouts, either). Books, paperwork and a desk in the bedroom make it hard to rest, relax – or do much of anything else a bedroom is designed for. Keep anything work-related out of the bedroom to promote an atmosphere of rest and romance. And that exercise bike or weight bench? Unless you’re using it as a prop for sex, put it in another room.

Not too feminine… or masculine. Pink frills and lace are cute for a little girl’s room, but they might make a male lover feel self-conscious. Likewise, a room that is too masculine in its design doesn’t inspire romance. Find a balance with colors like red, coral or deep pink. Blue is a restful color for a good night’s sleep, but balance blue hues with bright red sheets or accessories for passion.

If you’re single and looking for love…

Make space. Does your bedroom have “space” for a lover? Is your bed large enough for two and do you keep the half you don’t sleep in clear? Stocking your bed with stuffed animals, pillows or – worse – dolls from your childhood sends the message there’s no space in your life for a significant other. Some people even go so far as to keep half their closet and dresser drawers empty.

Get a set. A set – meaning a pair – of anything works well in the bedroom. Couple accessories such as lamps, knick-knacks, even nightstands to send the message that the bedroom is a space built for two.

Don’t forget your toys! Single or attached, make sure you have a special space in your room – away from prying eyes – to store your sex toys, lubes and accessories. Whether you put them in a cedar chest or a hat box in the closet, exploring the contents of your toy box should be a ritual wrought with excitement.

And if you decide to hang that sex swing, make sure it’s well-supported by a beam to avoid an embarrassing trip to the emergency room.