On the occasion of Valentine’s Day, Friday February 14, franceinfo offers you this article published in 2018.
The scenario is perhaps already planned: a good restaurant, a subdued atmosphere… then a quickie. Valentine’s Day is looking very promising. Really? Franceinfo wanted to know more about the composition of products that come into contact with our private parts, such as condoms, lubricants and sex toys. Are they safe for our health? Do they contain endocrine disruptors, as is the case for some products in our food, clothing or cosmetics? And if so, how can you still have a good time? Here are some answers.
What ingredients are found in our sexual products?
Opacity for condoms and lubricants. It’s a difficult question to answer, and for good reason: lubricants and condoms are considered medical devices. Therefore, “Manufacturers have no regulatory obligation to present their exhaustive composition”explains Cécile Vaugelade, from G-MED (group for the evaluation of medical devices) on the Le Lanceur website. In 2017, the latter had a Durex brand condom analyzed, presented as the best-selling in France. And the results are not very reassuring: cyclotrisiloxane is indeed found among the ingredients, but also dodecane, pentadecane and octadecane, which are hydrocarbons. These molecules are suspected of being toxic to human reproduction.
In 2014, the association Générations Cobayes joined forces with the Réseau environnement santé to launch a petition to demand transparency from manufacturers on the display of components and to raise awareness among the general public. They claim to have received no response from the manufacturers.
Phthalates and chlorine in sex toys. On the sex toy side, the picture is hardly more rosy. So much so thatn Germany, Green MPs have contacted their government about the composition of vibrators and geisha balls, which are often made of plastic, according to the report. Der Spiegel (in English). Several studies, including one conducted by Greenpeace (in English) in 2006, proved the presence of phthalates in these toys. These chemicals, used to soften and smooth plastic, are considered toxic for human reproduction.
A study conducted in 2013 by 60 million consumers on about fifteen sex toys had, herself, been rather reassuring on the health risk, even if The magazine warned about “some of the phthalates used as substitutes in plasticizers”More recently, a thesis, led by a student in health sciences at the University of Nevada, also highlighted the presence of chlorine in plastic sex toys, reports Glamour (in English).
What are the health risks ?
Even if “The fundamental message is ‘protect yourself'”, The results collected by Le Lanceur on the tested condom are “worrying”, relief Charles Sultan, professor of pediatric endocrinology at Montpellier University Hospital, interviewed by franceinfo. “These are extremely harmful endocrine disruptors derived from petroleum, which are also in contact with highly absorbent mucous membranes.”he explains, emphasizing the effect “accumulation”.
Even if these are infinitesimal quantities, with endocrine disruptors, the dose does not make the poison.
Charles Sultanto franceinfo
“The problem is the cocktail effect of all the disruptors we are in contact with,” adds Emma Luche, co-director of Générations Cobayes, contacted by franceinfo. “Afterwards, it all depends on the frequency of use… It is not the same thing if the person wears a condom three times a day or once a week”, nuance on her side Pascale Mirakian, gynecologist-endocrinologist in Lyon, contacted by franceinfo.
Regarding phthalates found in sex toys, the researcher Amanda Morgan, who led the study published in Glamour, remember that“They can cause birth defects, or impair liver or kidney function.”. As for chlorine, it “may cause irritation, burns” And “It is also a sterilant”she continues.
Why is there no regulation?
“It is true that these products are not part of the recommendations, because the prevention message takes precedence,” says gynecologist Pascale Mirakian. The lack of studies on the subject is also due to the theme addressed. “As soon as we are in sexuality, there is a leaden blanket”observes Patrick Pruvot, CEO of the chain of stores “Passage du désir”, contacted by franceinfo. The association Générations Cobayes regrets that the subject is “taboo”. “The sex toy is an object of pleasure but not only. We also forget that it can have a medical use, such as pelvic rehabilitation or in cases of vaginismus”, raises Emma Luche.
Patrick Pruvot denounces the lack of regulation in this area: “Phthalates are banned in Bic caps or lighters, but they are not banned in sex toys. It’s hypocritical… In France, pleasure is punished.” In 2005, in the name of the precautionary principle, the European Union limited the content of six phthalates in toys that children under three years of age can suck or chew on to 0.1%. But this restriction does not apply to toys for adults. Furthermore, as “the regulations on endocrine disruptors are still vague (…) many products continue to escape it”, Emma Luche laments.
And the manufacturers do not provide satisfactory answers. “We want to be as transparent as possible with our customers. But when it comes to parabens, we have no choice. We nevertheless try to limit their concentrations.”assures the Belgian newspaper DHDidier Moureau, director of Distrimarks which sells Feminine lubricant. “We don’t put anything because we don’t have to. But we can give the compositions punctually in case of a problem for one of our customers”Durex assures the same newspaper. Contacted by franceinfo, neither Manix nor Intimy wished to communicate on the composition of their products.
What can we do to have a good time?
For condoms. There is no question of leaving the condom aside: of course, you must continue to protect yourself. However, if there are no “labels” that guarantee products without endocrine disruptors, some brands have launched condoms with carefully selected components. This is the case of the Swiss company Green Condom. Vegan companies Glyde, Sir Richard, Sustain, RFSU also market natural latex condoms, which they present as being chemical-free, paraben-free and additive-free.
For sex toysThrough the “eco-orgasm” campaign, the Générations Cobayes association raises awareness among 18-35 year-olds about the relationship between health and the environment and offers solutions. “There are more and more plastic sex toys without phthalates. It is also possible to turn to sex toys made of silicone, ceramic, glass or even wood”says Emma Luche. If you remain addicted to plastic, you can check that the product is labeled “phthalate free.” “Many American or Chinese products export sex toys with phthalates, but there are Swedish or German brands that are more demanding”relieves Patrick Pruvot, CEO of the channel “Passage du désir”.
For lubricants. Here too, there are paraben-free products. The brands RFSU, Fairsquared, Greenrepublic, Eco-Sapiens offer them and you can find them online. These lubricants do not damage condoms. You can also opt for “homemade” lubricants, such as organic sweet almond oil. But be careful, they do not mix well with condoms.