Dangerous Sex Toys & Phthalates: Just Say No To “Jelly” Sex Toys

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Sex Ed 102: Just Say No Jelly Sex Toys

Jelly dong filled with phthalates made by California ExoticsAs a sexual health educator, I feel that it’s imperative to guide my readers and viewers toward safe and informed choices regarding intimate products. One area of concern is the prevalence of toxic jelly sex toys, which, despite their affordability and availability, pose significant health risks due to their chemical composition.

What Are Toxic Jelly Sex Toys?

Toxic jelly sex toys are those typically made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) softened with chemical additives known as phthalates. Phthalates are used to increase the flexibility and softness of plastics. However, these chemicals are not chemically bound to the PVC matrix, allowing them to leach out over time, especially with heat and friction — conditions common during sexual activity. This leaching can lead to direct exposure to mucous membranes, raising health concerns.

What are Phthalates?

Phthalates are a group of chemical compounds primarily used as plasticizers, meaning they are added to plastics to make them softer, more flexible, and more durable. They are created by reacting phthalic anhydride (pictured right), a flaky white industrial chemical with a musty odour, with various alcohols. This process results in a range of phthalate compounds, each with slightly different properties, but all serving the same basic function – making rigid plastics more pliable.

Okay, I’ll admit, that probably sounds a little overwhelming, so let’s just say phthalates are what you get when you mix ‘A’  (‘A’ being phthalic anhydride) and ‘B’ (‘B’ being various alcohols).

A more little about phthalates.

Phthalates have been in use since the 1920s, but their large-scale production truly took off in the 1950s when polyvinyl chloride (PVC) became one of the most sought-after materials in manufacturing due to its versatility, durability, and low production cost.

phthalates chemical structure, jelly sex toysUnlike natural materials, which can degrade, warp, or be expensive to source, PVC offered a synthetic alternative that was both affordable and easy to produce in large quantities. Its adaptability allowed manufacturers to use it in a wide range of industries, from construction and plumbing to clothing and consumer goods. This innovation led to the widespread use of PVC in a variety of industries, from construction to fashion, and, unfortunately over time, in sex toys as well.

One of the biggest reasons for PVC’s popularity was its ability to be formulated into both rigid and flexible forms. When left in its natural state, PVC is a hard, brittle plastic. However, when phthalates or other plasticizers are added, PVC becomes soft and pliable. This combination of durability, weather resistance, and cost-effectiveness made PVC an attractive choice for manufacturers, ensuring its dominance in industries that required both strength and flexibility in their materials.

For those unfamiliar with PVC, here’s how it appears in everyday life:

As a hard plastic, you’ll find it in:

  • Vinyl records
  • Vinyl siding on houses
  • Pipes and plumbing

As a soft plastic, phthalates make PVC flexible for use in:

  • Clothing (such as PVC dresses, pants, and dominatrix bodysuits)
  • Upholstery, including couches and shower curtains
  • Sex toys (specifically jelly toys and cyberskin toys)
  • Flexible hoses

Phthalates can also be found in numerous household items like nail polish, caulk, and paint pigment, or plastic grocery bags. Fortunately, due to the small amount of phthalates in these items you don’t really need to worry, however that doesn’t mean there aren’t any health risks with phthalates in general.

Why Are Jelly Sex Toys So Cheap?

jelly dong made by California Exotics

Jelly sex toys are some of the most affordable options on the market, but this low price comes with significant trade-offs. The materials used – primarily PVC (polyvinyl chloride) blended with phthalates – are inexpensive and widely available, making them a cost-effective choice for manufacturers.

Unlike body-safe materials like silicone, glass, or metal, PVC does not require extensive processing to achieve a flexible texture, further lowering production costs. Many jelly toys also have a soft, squishy feel that appeals to consumers, but this is largely due to the addition of plasticizers like phthalates, which have been linked to serious health concerns. The affordability of these toys makes them tempting for beginners or budget-conscious buyers, but their long-term risks far outweigh the initial savings.

Another major factor contributing to the low cost of jelly toys is the lack of strict regulations in many regions regarding sex toy safety. Unlike medical devices or personal care products, sex toys are often sold as “novelties,” meaning they are not subject to the same rigorous testing and safety standards – this loophole allows manufacturers to continue using them and produce toys with potentially harmful chemicals without disclosing their presence, putting consumers at risk.

In contrast, reputable companies that create body-safe sex toys must invest in higher-quality materials, independent testing, and regulatory compliance, which naturally increases production costs. Jelly sex toy manufacturers bypass these steps, keeping their products cheap but at the expense of user safety.

Additionally, mass production and poor quality control contribute to the low price of jelly sex toys. These toys are often made in large quantities using inexpensive moulds, with little attention paid to durability or long-term usability. Many jelly toys degrade quickly, leaching chemicals over time, developing an unpleasant sticky texture, or even breaking down entirely.

Because of this, they often need to be replaced frequently, making them less of a bargain in the long run. While a high-quality, body-safe silicone toy may have a higher upfront cost, it will last for years with proper care – unlike a jelly sex toy that will need to be discarded within months, if not after a few uses.

In the end, the low cost of jelly sex toys comes at a price: a higher risk of exposure to harmful chemicals and a shorter lifespan that makes them an unsustainable investment.

Health Risks In Regard to Phthalates

0412epaAs with any harsh chemical there are nasty side effects;

Regarding risks for those with vaginas, phalates have been implicated in premature puberty in girls, appear to suppress estradiol production, prolong estrous cycles, and cause an ovulation (no egg released during the cycle), a common cause of infertility (though those were studies on lab rats, and not humans).

Now, aside from the obvious answer (as it would relate to sticking objects in your orifices), I’m going to assume your next question is…

How do phthalates get into your body ?

Through “leeching”, a reaction that heat, agitation, and extended shelf life can accelerate… basically put, if the toy you just purchased spent a long length of time in its packaging there is a very good chance that over time its started to give off the reaction faster then one that was just packed up.

The same goes for the friction provided in thrusting the toy during intercourse; body heat + friction = leeching. All of the above = Ick.

Now that you’re all up to date about phthalates, I want to let you know they don’t stay in your body forever.  Your body will naturally expel them in various forms, urine is a primary one, for the unborn the problem lays in the transfer from within the womb, and for newborns in breast milk.

What Else Makes Jelly Sex Toys Unsafe?

Beyond the chemical risks, jelly sex toys often have a porous structure, making them difficult to clean effectively. The microscopic pores can harbour bacteria and other pathogens, increasing the risk of infections. By this I mean that they absorb lube, bacteria, and bodily fluids rather easily, and unfortunately can’t ever be fully sterilized – if you have the beginnings of a yeast infection and use a toxic jelly sex toy there’s a likely chance it will absorb the bacteria, and the bacteria will live within it until next time (potentially even thriving), with you unknowingly re-infecting yourself.

Additionally, the surface of these toys can degrade over time, leading to cracks and crevices that further promote bacterial growth. The combination of chemical leaching and bacterial contamination makes these toys particularly hazardous for intimate use.

How to know if your toy is high in phthalates?

This may sound silly, but the best way to find out is to smell it.  Seriously, go on and give the toy a good huff, if it stinks like rubber or chemicals, kinda like a shower curtain or rancid rubber ball, it’s likely leeching phthalates as I type.

Another way is to feel it, if it has an oily or greasy feel (and not because you forgot to wash off the lube), or if it’s sticky or tacky (or gets sticky or tacky during use), it likely has phthalates in it. Again, ick.

What Should Be Used Instead?

If you own any jelly sex toys – and absolutely cannot throw them out – your best bet is to start using a condom with them. This will help to limit the amount of contact that the material has with your body.

However, if you can afford it, I suggest that you buy good quality silicone sex toys like the platinum grade ones that Tantus make. For those of you wondering why, silicone is non-porous, non-toxic, eco friendly, phthalate free, odourless, they wont cause irritations, rashes or infections, can be used anally or vaginally, and are some of the best you can buy for quality and craftsmanship.  Silicone toys like Tantus will be a bit more expensive then the generic brands but in the long run, and in regard to your health and safety, they’re definitely worth it.

Should silicone not be your thing, you could also opt for stainless steel sex toys which are durable, non-porous, and can be sterilized. Alternatively, borosilicate glass sex toys have the benefits of being non-porous, body-safe, and compatible with all lubricants.

Moreover, when selecting a product, look for reputable manufacturers that provide clear information about their materials and adhere to safety standards. By choosing body-safe alternatives, you can enjoy intimate products without compromising your health.

If you’d like to learn more, my post on eco-friendly sex toys has lots of great information.

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