Sex Toys May Cause Diabetes, Study Finds

A new study has found that sex toys made from materials like plastic, rubber and latex can all lead to microplastics in your blood, when the tiny particles enter your body, which can contribute to serious long-term health problems, such as diabetes.

According to Mirror UK, these microplastic particles can cause health problems like diabetes, disrupt immune responses and damage various body systems. Metabolic disorders are most often associated with plastic particles.

In a new study, scientists from Duke University and Appalachian State University found that sex toys contain phthalates, which can affect hormone levels. They found that these chemicals are present in concentrations that exceed U.S. consumer warnings.

The team looked at four types of sex toys: anal toys, beads, dual vibrators, and external vibrators. The anal toy released the most particles, followed by beads, dual vibrators, and external vibrators.

Dr. Joana Sipe, the lead author of the study, said: “We assert that since the measured presence of phthalates in our small sample exceeds the exposure limit for the same chemicals in the U.S. Commission’s regulations of consumer product safety in children’s toys, investigations into It is prudent, for the protection of public health, that the risk scenarios are also similar in the case of sex toys.

Writing in the journal Risk Analysis, Dr. Sipe and his team highlighted safety concerns surrounding sex toys that were once taboo due to the nature of these items.

The newspaper explains that “popular culture articles, sex toy reviews, and sex shops have raised awareness of chemical dangers, and health professionals have called for educating consumers about preventable physical injuries associated with poorly designed sex toys.” “.

The authors also noted that legal experts have criticized the lack of regulatory action by the U.S. government to address these risks. These experts have urged consumer action groups and even Congress to demand protective measures.

The findings will be discussed at the Society for Risk Analysis 2023 annual conference in Washington DC next month. It comes shortly after world leaders were accused of showing “zero ambition” on protecting human health during the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations in Kenya.

Dr John Peterson Myers, founder of Environmental Health Sciences and member of the Plastic Health Council, said: “What started as an almost invisible trickle in the early 20th century has now become a monstrous tsunami. »

“Plastic and plastic chemicals have spread like a scourge across our planet, even inside us, at levels known to be dangerous. Yet industry projections based on the status quo predict that the volume of plastics created will double by the middle of this century.”

“We must choose. Will we choke the Earth and ourselves with toxic plastics? Or do we have the courage and foresight to stop this attack?” asked the doctor.