We spend an astounding amount of time thinking about what products we use in our hair and on our skin, but growing up with my mom, who calls herself a “loveologist,” has taught me that we don’t spend nearly enough time thinking about the products we use for sexual pleasure.
Glancing at the labels of college favorites like Kama Sutra and KY Jelly alarm me. I can’t pronounce the names of half ingredients on the labels, let alone understand them. To get a better grasp on the icky products on the market, I did a little bit of research. It is my goal to become an eco-sex pro, and I invite you to join me in discovering alternative ways to enjoy sex that are healthy not only for you, but for the environment as well. Sex and sustainability go hand-in-hand – it just takes a little bit of extra effort on your part.
Did you know that, according to a 2007 study published in the British journal “Obstetrician and Gynecologist,” 40 percent of women will have some kind of sexual dysfunction during their lifetime? That’s contrary to the popular belief only “old people” have problems with sex requiring the aid of lubricants or “sex oils.” Many of these problems stem from the products they use and it is no wonder common ingredients for loving are also used in brake fluid, anti-freeze, and oven cleaner. Some of these nasty ingredients include petrochemicals such as propylene and ethylene glycol, which, according to the Natural Health Centre of New Zealand, commonly cause pain associated with intercourse and vaginal dryness affecting women of all ages.
What can we do to combat these problems? How do we become eco-sex experts? For those of you who weren’t raised in a household where lubricants were mixed in the downstairs bathroom, let me clue you into a few ways I found to practice sustainable sex.
The first step to becoming an eco-sex pro is checking out the alternative products on the market. A few prominent companies pride themselves on creating natural, paraben- and petro-chemical-free love products that are compatible with latex. Sylk all-natural sexual enhancements from New Zealand concoct their all-natural lubricant using kiwifruit vine extract. Firefly Natural Personal Lubricants bases its lubricants in aloe vera and shea butter, creating non-sticky, moisturizing products. Local company Good Clean Love not only offers 95 percent organic lubricants based in aloe vera and xanthan gum, but also provides all-natural love oils that combine jojoba oil with essential oil mixes that “lovers have been using for centuries.”
The second step to becoming an eco-sex pro is to use green sex toys. According to Treehugger.com, 43 percent of us use some kind of sex toy. Unfortunately, many traditional toys contain chemicals called phthalates, which, according to recent European studies, can cause sperm damage to men. Look for alternative products such as Aphrodite Wand, AcuVibe and a variety of non-offensive vibrator models from the Swedish company Lelo. Toys should be made with silicone or hard plastic. A good rule of thumb is that if you can smell it, then it’s probably not good for you. Toys with rechargeable batteries also add an eco-friendly element.
Finally, to become an eco-sex expert is to practice safe sex! Look for latex condoms, as they tend to be the Earth-friendliest of all condom types. According to environmental research site Grist.org, the small amount of waste caused by latex condoms is worth it in the face of potential unwanted STDs and pregnancy.
As you can see, there are tons of ways to practice eco-sex, and this column is just a start. Resources are on your side, so why not start practicing eco-sex today?
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