LONDON — Net1on1, a leading supplier to the UK's most successful sex toy retailers, has reported a 20 percent increase in sales of toys in its sexual health category compared to this time last year. This figure echoes a recent report from TechNavio.com forecasting growth of more than 7 percent in the sexual health market by 2020, Net1on1 said.
The wholesaler's overall sales of sex toys have also risen every year since the release of the first "Fifty Shades of Grey" book in 2011, which according to Net1on1, shows a "growing mainstream appetite for sex toys."
Net1on1 said that this could be especially true among men, as male masturbators were "Net1on1's second most bought category of items over the Valentines season, January-February this year, followed closely by vibrators and then dildos."
"It's great to see so many people losing their inhibitions, enjoying sex toys and asking retailers for sex toys that aid sex health," said Tony Gonzalez, managing director of Net1on1. "However, advice online about their safe use is often very conflicting, and the incorrect use of any sex toy can still lead to the passing on of STIs like chlamydia, syphilis and herpes, often unwittingly. With this in mind, we've put together the top dos and don'ts of sex toy use. However, I urge anyone who is still unsure and needs further advice on how to protect their sexual health to visit the sexual health charity FPA's website FPA.org.uk."
FPA is a leading voice in the sexual health arena and launched a new website called FPA Pleasure in 2015.
Natika H. Halil, CEO of FPA, said, "Toys are a great way for people to enhance pleasure with partners or while enjoying solo sex, but it is important to take care of your health when using them. They can harbor dirt and bacteria as well as pass STIs to another person or another part of the body. Remember to wash toys between uses — they will come with instructions from the manufacturer for the best method — and use condoms. Using condoms with toys is the best way to protect yourself from getting or passing on infections, including when moving the toy between different parts of the body. For example, bacteria which live naturally in the anus can cause infections in the vagina. If you are worried you may have an STI, make sure you get yourself checked out. Our Find a Clinic tool can help you find your local services."
For more information on Net1on1, visit their official website or follow them on Twitter.
