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.

    • cashmaggot@piefed.social
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      5 months ago

      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.

        • BuddyTheBeefalo
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          5 months ago

          except silicone oil, which is used to make latex shine and can be used as lubricant.

        • cashmaggot@piefed.social
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          5 months ago

          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!

        • cashmaggot@piefed.social
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          5 months ago

          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!

          • Monument@lemmy.sdf.org
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            5 months ago

            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.