I wanted to bring up the topic of selling "unsafe" products on the site. EF is a sex positive community, and touts itself as a site you can trust. However, there are spermicidally lubricated condoms for sale on the site, as well as numbing agents. Many people don't know about the dangers of these products, and may buy them without knowing any better. I wonder about EF's decision to carry these items at all, and if it is something that is to remain for sale on the site, maybe some kind of a disclaimer, or educational piece about the potential dangers of these products? When I managed an adult toy store, I petitioned the owner to stop carrying these unsafe products and was so glad he listened. Because customers' health is the most important thing.
Spermicide (nonoxynol-9) is something they're trying to take off the market completely. It's no more effective than using a condom correctly, and over 50% of the population is allergic to it. Many people think they have a latex allergy, but it's actually the spermicide that they're reacting to. Not only that, it breaks down cell walls, making it more difficult to get pregnant when you actually want to, and opens small tears in the vaginal lining, making it easier to contract STDs. It can actually HELP to transmit the AIDS virus! Hence the reason many companies are going to stop producing it completely.
Numbing agents, usually used to numb the rectum to make anal play less painful, is also really dangerous. Besides the fact that I can't see what the fun or pleasure in being unable to feel what's happening to you, pain is our body's signal to us that something is wrong. If we can't feel pain, we don't know if there's a problem. Something could be ripping or tearing, and we would have no idea. Pain is our signal to slow down. If you do it correctly, it shouldn't hurt, anyway. Lube, warm up, and going slowly all can prevent pain associated with anal play. These numbing agents are just unsafe.
How do you guys feel? Do you think sites like EF, that promote safe sex and healthy, body-safe products should carry products like these? Should there be a warning or disclaimer on these products? EF, if you know that a product is potentially unsafe for your consumers, what would be your rationale behind continuing to carry it?
Spermicide (nonoxynol-9) is something they're trying to take off the market completely. It's no more effective than using a condom correctly, and over 50% of the population is allergic to it. Many people think they have a latex allergy, but it's actually the spermicide that they're reacting to. Not only that, it breaks down cell walls, making it more difficult to get pregnant when you actually want to, and opens small tears in the vaginal lining, making it easier to contract STDs. It can actually HELP to transmit the AIDS virus! Hence the reason many companies are going to stop producing it completely.
Numbing agents, usually used to numb the rectum to make anal play less painful, is also really dangerous. Besides the fact that I can't see what the fun or pleasure in being unable to feel what's happening to you, pain is our body's signal to us that something is wrong. If we can't feel pain, we don't know if there's a problem. Something could be ripping or tearing, and we would have no idea. Pain is our signal to slow down. If you do it correctly, it shouldn't hurt, anyway. Lube, warm up, and going slowly all can prevent pain associated with anal play. These numbing agents are just unsafe.
How do you guys feel? Do you think sites like EF, that promote safe sex and healthy, body-safe products should carry products like these? Should there be a warning or disclaimer on these products? EF, if you know that a product is potentially unsafe for your consumers, what would be your rationale behind continuing to carry it?
