Gone are the days (or we may like to believe) when sex toys were sold under the disguise of cheap massagers in dark and dingy basements. The right to pleasure is serious business today and the country’s sexual wellness industry  is on a consistent growth trajectory, thanks to e-commerce. The Indian sex toys market, valued at $91.34 million in 2020, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.87 per cent till 2026.  

However, a recent study titled Bringing Sex Toys Out Of The Dark: Exploring Unmitigated Risks published in the Microplastics and Nanoplastics journal suggested how sex toys can break down into microplastics. It also went on to reveal how these intimate products contain phthalates that have been associated with health concerns. But exactly how alarming is the situation? Should we throw away that dildo then?  

A piece published in Harvard Medicine mentioned the presence of microplastics everywhere – from trash to fabrics, cosmetics to cleaners, and even seafood and table salt. It also goes on to establish that microplastics have even been detected in the human body. In this scenario, it may be counterproductive if misreported pieces isolate sex toys and deem them as harmful. This may even set back the use of pleasure products in countries like India, where the mere mention of sex continues to be taboo, especially for women. “Claims like these can certainly cause damage. Unfortunately, there’s a trend in Indian media where sensationalism is taking over accuracy and responsible journalism,” says Dr Tanaya Narendra aka Dr Cuterus, an internationally trained doctor, best-selling author and pleasure-positive sex educator, pointing out that the interpretation of such reports is critical. “These products were sanded down mechanically, which means they were physically filed down to release these microplastics. The study clearly mentions this is not supposed to represent the entirety of the class of sex toys. Microplastics are everywhere and we consume them far more significantly in food and fashion than sex toys,” she says.  

In agreement with her is Leeza Mangaldas – a sexuality educator, best-selling author and founder of Leezu’s, a playful personal care brand offering a selection of self-care and intimacy products. She highlights how the stigma associated with the product category perpetuates a sense of sensationalism around the reportage on a study like this. “People are interacting with plastics in many other ways far more frequently than with sex toys. We get hot chai in plastic bags, which we then drink out of plastic cups. We reuse disposable plastic drinking water bottles and take out containers that are designed for single use. A lot of these finds point at a much larger problem with plastics than merely sex toys,” Mangaldas says. 

However, Simran Balar Jain, sex educator and founder of Unbound, a brand that offers hygiene and wellness products, is of the view that such concerns can only be quashed with discussions around product safety by sex toy brands, reassuring consumers what goes inside each piece. “It’s an opportunity for the industry to focus on transparency, research and innovation. If more conversations happen in the open, it will empower consumers to make informed choices,” she reiterates.  

Brands in the sexual wellness space must be responsible and clearly put out safety information to keep their consumers educated, advises Arjun Siva, Deputy General Manager, TTK Healthcare Ltd, Consumer Products Division.“MsChief’s pleasure toys undergo multiple rounds of testing and are absolutely safe to use. The massagers are made with body-safe silicone      that has been tested according to the latest Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive given by the European Union (EU). They do not contain phthalates and even the extractive residues were found to be in compliance with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations,” he says. 

“I think it’s important for consumers to understand what they are buying. Unfortunately, a lot of low-quality sex toys are made of plastic and PolyVinyl Chloride (PVC). However, there are several high-quality products that utilise non-porous body-safe materials like medical-grade silicone, surgical-grade steel and more,” adds Mangaldas. 

Another popular bedroom essentials brand, MyMuse, reveals how during initial research, they found thousands of cheap quality products in the market. This led the founder duo, Anushka and Sahil Gupta, to make a conscious choice to exclusively use body-safe materials in crafting their range of massagers. “Medical-grade silicone does not produce microplastic materials nor does it release harmful chemicals. We understand sexual wellness is an integral part of overall wellness. That’s why we are devoted to providing a range of products that not only enhance pleasure but also ensure peace of mind,” says Anushka Gupta.      

It’s critical that such studies only spur consumers to seek more information and make educated choices, instead of discontinuing its use. “I think if we could remove the stigma around sex toys, both buyers and sellers would benefit. With greater ease of doing business and more openness around the category, there could be higher standards around quality control,” concludes Mangaldas.