Here’s a simple rundown to get us started…
- “Jelly” is a blend of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and rubber
- PVC comes in two forms – rigid and flexible
- To make it flexible and soft, a plasticizer must be added
- One of the most common plasticizers is “phthalates”
- The term Jelly comes from the soft texture and look of the jiggly sex toy
- The softer the toy, the more phthalates
It’s (unfortunately) widely used in the sex toy industry because of how cheap it is as well as how many shapes, textures, and rigidity/flexibility levels it can be made into.
WHY IS IT BAD?
One of the most common problems is an allergic reaction – and anyone can be susceptible to it (even if you’ve used jelly before, different toys can affect you). It can range from a mild rash to a very painful, burning infection that will send you to the hospital.
Second, they have been proven to be endocrine disruptors.
“An endocrine disruptor is a substance that interferes with the normal hormonal mechanisms that allow a biological organism to interact with its environment. In the scientific community, phthalates are broadly classified as endocrine disruptors; while many scientific studies indicate the likelihood that phthalates behave as endocrine disruptors in human beings.”
They basically screw around with your hormonal system and can lead to tumors, birth defects and other developmental disorders.
SIDE NOTE: Some people will say that phthalates are okay in small doses. The problem is that they are in everything!
WHY IS IT STILL USED?
You’re probably wondering why in the world anyone would let this be sold to humans. Well, they go from the factory to your bedroom for one major reason … money.
They are, as mentioned before, cheap to make. Add that to the high markup of any adult product and you’re looking at a high-profit margin.
Second, even though sex toys are classified as medical devices, to get the certification and other documents end up incredibly expensive for the manufacturer. This is why most toys are labeled as “novelty items” (especially the cheap ones).
On top of it all … sex toys aren’t really regulated in most countries.
It’s a plethora of loopholes and greed. This is why dangerous adult products still make it on the market.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
My reactions are extreme when it comes to sexual health.
The second I found out about jelly (and saw the images of melted, oily toys in a mason jar), I immediately threw away every item in my collection that fit the bill. They are cheap, so it’s no real loss. After that, I refused to buy anything that wasn’t made from body-safe materials.
There are suggestions of putting a condom over your jelly toy – but I prefer to err on the side of caution and not use them at all.
If you want to go the extra step, you can contact sellers or distributors with complaints about their inclusion of toxic materials.
Also, if you want more useful articles, you might like these…
- Where Does it Come From? Learning About Silicone in Sex Toys
- Sex Toy Quiz – 20 Questions to Separate The Newbies from Veterans
- 7 Basic Tips On How to Be a Sex Toy Tester Or Reviewer
Have you ever had a reaction to jelly sex toys? Share in the comments!
