Thank you for your excellent and very timely question. There is a lot of confusion
surrounding recent research and recommendations regarding Nonoxynol-9.
Nonoxynol-9 has been around for a long time and was used as a cleansing agent well before anyone thought
to use it to prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections. As a disinfectant (and as an
ingredient in ForPlay Adult Toy Cleaner), it is superb, killing both bacteria and viruses on most
surfaces.
Nonoxynol-9 also has a long history as a moderately-effective spermicide when used in products such
as contraceptive foam. Those products are still available and, while not as effective as some other
forms of contraception, are certainly better than none at all.
But the recent controversy surrounding Nonoxynol-9 has nothing to do with either of these uses; it
has to do with Nonoxynol-9's role in the transmission of HIV when used on condoms.
Back when I was a research scientist at the HIV Center at Columbia University, we, like many
researchers around the world, were quite hopeful that Nonoxynol-9 could help slow the spread of
HIV. This seemed logical since it killed HIV on contact in the lab, but in real-world use, this
turned out not to be the case.
More recent research has shown why this was so. When used in concentrations high enough to have a
positive effect, it would also irritate the sensitive membranes of the skin to the point where it
actually became easier for an infection to occur. Therefore, the CDC stopped recommending the use
of condoms or lubricants with Nonoxynol-9. These condoms had never been proven to be more effective
at preventing pregnancy anyway, but until that warning there had been no research showing any harmful
effects.
Clearly, none of the lubricants or condoms we sell at MyPleasure contain Nonoxynol-9. However, as a
cleanser, it is still about as good as they come. The only recommendation I would make is that if
you use a Nonoxynol-9-based cleaner for your toys, be sure to rinse them off thoroughly before
using them again.
I hope this helps answer your questions.
