Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ linked to low birth weight, reduced sperm counts and infertility
Several brands of condoms and lubricants contain alarming levels of toxic PFAS “forever chemicals”, including styles of Trojan and K-Y Jelly, new research finds.
The testing conducted by the Mamavation consumer advocacy blog comes just as researchers found human skin absorbs the chemicals at much higher levels than previously thought.
Penis and vagina skin is thin and the organs have a high level of blood vessels, which makes them particularly dangerous organs to expose to PFAS, Linda Birnbaum, a science adviser for Mamavation who previously ran the Environmental Protection Agency’s toxicology program, wrote in the report.
For fucks sake, they don’t name all the brands!
For the sake of the (actual, literal) fuck indeed.
Corps have too much power.
So this is the permanent forever thing that will change our lives - I thought they were warning us about kids, but this is scarier, and more permanent.
Can we please get some serious regulation over here?
Afaik Im unable to buy a lot of things without PFAS as is (like outerwear, umbrellas, shoes, food containers (especially one-use, even when biodegradable), etc).
I would like this to not be a thing. I’ll survive if a bit of yogurt sticks to the lid (it does that anyway). And I’ll manage if my lube is … exactly the same but non-carcinogenic and maybe 0.02% more expensive to manufacture.
Use cocunut oil for lube. A $8 container lasts like a year.
That damages condoms
I don’t use condoms :)
That doesn’t sound safe at all.
Looked it up, unrefined has its smoking point at 180°C (350°F), refined is a bit better at 230° (450°) …
… yeah, I’m not gonna risk it.
Why is the smoking point such a concern?
That is an evil shrubbery. I understand they reproduce by combustion.
I see, thank you for enlightening me on the matter
Indeed, cumbustion, brought on by vigorous rubbing of sticks, ignites our natural oils. Technically it’s a kink, but we know no other way, and respect our reproductive traditions.
Yours is a unique and fascinating life cycle which terrifies me.
You should see how traumatised the termites get. But they are basically an std so it’s fine.
Coconut grabs on the other root …
I just can’t explain to them those are not coconuts.
Friction.
It’s definitely safe. Been doing it for years.
What do you do in case of fire?
There’s no risk of fire dude.
Wait,is this an rdrr or a real thing? Cause if you are in a space where you don’t need condoms (and certain people don’t like moi) - then you’re fine using coconut oil as lube. But if you’re in a space where you’re using condoms (and yes some people do need them and some people actually don’t and not just because they’re the villains in this story) - you should do some research into brands that don’t actually mutilate bodily systems (and lubricant while you’re at it) and pair the two. Then you know - listen to your partners if you’re copacetic and in a space where you’re not just one and done-ing. (And even then I mean…you know - just like not the person who says you don’t need one because some old bullshit blah~)
Just get Astroglide lol. Coconut oil is a nightmare.
In what way? Please actually tell me I’m interested in knowing. I’ve used expensive lube and I’ve used coconut oil. They work the same but coconut oil is natural and about 50x less expensive.
In my experience coconut oil just isn’t as slick, and is harder to clean off skin or fabric. I can cover myself in water-based lube and be totally clean after a 3-minute shower. Also don’t have to worry as much about staining sheets or bleeding through towels.
I find coconut oil just as slippery as any actual lube. It might be harder to clean off but I wouldn’t know as I usually just let it absorb into my skin after the act. We use a couple wet wipes each to get dryish and just let the rest absorb. We have great skin these days lmao. It can definitely stain things if it gets all over it. The cheapness and lack of pfas makes it worth it for me. I also like the smell
I, personally, hate astroglide. In fact, to be honest with you I dislike most lubes. And I’ve run through the gamut over the years. Because I was super pro-sex/pro-exploration adhd blah, blah, blah queer story - blah! But all things aside it’s like that shit won’t LEAVE your system. And I once had one with aloe (which is why I think it was the aloe that burned me with Good brand lube) - that just destroyed my coochie. So yeah. Fuck that brand. But I guess different strokes, different folks.
Good thing I’m already infertile, sorry folks it’s rawdog only from now on, for safety!
Can anyone point me towards safe condoms to buy? I Don’t need them married and fixed but have a teenager who dating and I think he should have some.
While the article isn’t very helpful, the source report does list their favorite (and least) brands.
Apologies! I just got 5-star alarm on that because I too fell into the idea of like a “bio-identical ph-balanced 95% organic lubricant” being some sort of pipe dream after having used everything under the sun on my queer sexual journey. But I swear to god I tumbled to the bathroom crying the second that stuff touched hand -> coochie. I am going to guess it’s the aloe vera. But to be honest, I don’t know. Coconut oil is the way to go though, as far as I know. I heard something like if you use too much of it, it can be antagonistic to your flora. But I haven’t had an issue yet personally. I also don’t know how it interacts with condoms. And I know everything has different materials - etc. So in that situation, I’d say it’s like…do the research yet again.
But hopefully if you’re with someone you two can communicate. People will probably come with their own preferences. If it’s someone open to it, you can always explore. You know, it is what it is. And of course at the end of the day - to each their own @_@!!! Also, I am a delicate flower =P! So you know, could be a me thing over a universal thing.
Coconut oil as with any oil based lubes will make latex disintegrate, do not use them together.
except silicone oil, which is used to make latex shine and can be used as lubricant.
That’s what I figured, which is why I didn’t recommend the two together. I figured whoever wanted to share would put in the know-how. Thank you!
it can be antagonistic to your flora
You got flowers down there?!?
I mean, don’t you? Hahahaha! Yeah, I mighta had it wrong but I think I read something like the coconut oil can mess with your good bacteria and throw your ph off (which I am going to guess causes a yeast infection). But either I am not using enough, or da pussy strong. Which ever. Eh!
lol. Nah, you had it right. I was on edibles and made an O’Keefe inspired joke that didn’t land. Flora is a perfectly acceptable word for the critters that live in/on our bodies.
I’ll have to check back in about coconut oil. One of my partners was very prone to yeast infections, and short of glycol / glycerine / paraben / fragrance-free, water-based lubes, coconut oil was the only thing we could reliably use that wouldn’t cause an issue for her. (Short of one lube that was often out of stock locally, and a bit spendy.)
But that was a dozen years ago. And if there’s one thing I know, it’s that easily half of what I know is now wrong or comes with asterisks that weren’t there before.
Before I could stop caring about condoms, Skyn was my preferred brand because they were a good non-latex option, and I see they’re one of the “better” ones (not detected, but not open about ingredients), so they might be a decent choice for you.
When I grabbed condoms for a mr.thevirgintoshytograbhisown that I went to school with - I grabbed Skyn because a) it was at Target and b) it said Latex free and the reviews were good online. They were cheap too. But I didn’t say anything on them because I don’t know a damn thing about the quality or nothing. Or if they put stuff on them or anything. I just did a favor for a guy.
Also true story, there’s nothing embarrassing about buying sex-stuff. Most people do it, and don’t worry about it. It’s like riding a bike, you might flounder but like - nobody is judging you. Nobody cares!
I used them for years with no complaints, and with multiple partners with various sensitivities, so I generally recommended them without reservations. Haven’t bought them in a few years, but the ones I still have do the job when needed.
Also true story, there’s nothing embarrassing about buying sex-stuff. Most people do it, and don’t worry about it. It’s like riding a bike, you might flounder but like - nobody is judging you. Nobody cares!
100%
While I do not have this information, I do have a little nugget. Do not buy those hex-like condoms. Because I heard that if they break, you might not realize. I am not sure if they are more prone to breaking or not. But I do know the last part. And outside of that, I don’t know your lifestyle but I applaud you for giving a shit. Because so many people don’t, and it is a really scummy way to live. I know so many women who’ve gotten STIs from scumbag partners. And I am talking people who they had extended relations with, who claim ignorance surrounding the subject. Which makes me want to run with knives down a long corridor towards them. But eh, life. You know? Just kudos for being responsible. Don’t cry over the wallet hit (Cause it’s probably going to be the more expensive brands), just think of it as an essential item for a healthy life =)!
p.s. - FUCK THAT LIST! Just my two cents because 10/10 I used Good before and it destroyed my vagina like it was getting paid to. So yeah. Fuck that list. I’d say step one is look into non-latex condoms because you never know who’s allergic to what and go from there. But you’re probably going to have to put in the rounds (search up non-latex condoms, go to a sex-shop and see what they’ve got, look up reviews. Idk about shipping them non-commercially because they might degrade in the process) to find the answer.
Thank you for the detailed comment. I will definitely do my research, but I learned that his boyfriend trans (female at birth) is on birth control and just want to make sure he covers himself as well.
Omg, big apologies. I read your first post like an asshole. My brain is still kicking in (isn’t all loaded until 10:30 and even then it’s kinda…sketchy). You said you’re happily married, and I am a punk. I know this sounds goofy, but transfolks I swear are more at risk than most because the rules of the game are so blurry. I don’t remember where I heard it, but I heard before using two types of birth-control in conjunction is the best way to prevent accidental pregnancies. I read some pamphlet on it during the earlier days of covid and was clapping because it really needs to be addressed more. I tried to find it, but couldn’t. I think it’s an area that needs more resources/studies though.
Also big love! I have only ever met a handful of cis->ftm couples. But whenever I do, I swear to god they seem like happiest most loving individuals on the face of this planet. I love to see it! So many people are hefty bigots, and it’s miserable to walk around knowing that people could consider you a “freak.” So seeing happy and comfortable couples like that is just like - food for the soul =)!
Keep being an bitchin’ friend =)
not so safe sex then
but the reduced sperm and infertility do make condoms work well as birth control
Got it. Use copious amounts of organic coconut oil. Understood.
While coconut oil doesn’t cover all bases - iffin’ you’re in a space where you’re just looking for lubricant it’s a 10/10 choice =)
It is also edible, so you can “revisit” places if so desired without having a mouth full of nasty tasting chemicals.
Listen to this all star here.
This feels like an excuse to justify banning contraceptives…
