PFAS in Condoms and Lubes: Share Love Not Forever Chemicals

Mamavation condoms and lube study found 14% of the 29 products had high PFAS levels. Learn which lubes and condoms are high in PFAS, and which are best to use for your sexual health.

Expressing love with your partner should be about joy and connection.

Nobody wants their most intimate moments to be overshadowed by the health and fertility effects of exposure to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). That's why it's important to consider PFAS-free condoms for your contraception needs. Recently, our friends at Mamavation conducted a study that detected PFAS in condoms and lubricants. Results found that 14% of the 29 condom and lube products tested had PFAS [1]. Make informed decisions about your sexual health products by learning about the Mamavation condoms study. 

PFAS Study Found in Condoms and Lubes

Be an advocate for your health and fertility by avoiding PFAS in condoms and lubricants. Although there are currently no strict regulations on many chemicals used to make consumer products, regulations against PFAS in consumer products have increased recently.

These chemicals are known as "forever chemicals" because they do not break down easily and can remain in the environment and human body for a long time [2]. Reducing exposure to PFAS is crucial, and organizations like Mamavation are doing commendable work in educating consumers about these risks.

Mamavation conducted a study by sending 25 condoms and 4 lubricants from 19 different brands to a laboratory certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The lab implemented marker testing to identify organic fluorine in condoms and lubricants.

Fluorine is a part of the PFAS chemical structure. Therefore its presence can indicate one of the 15,000+ PFAS in existence today [3]. 

The detection method used for PFAS in condoms and lubricants involved the Determination of Total Fluorine by Oxygen Flask Combustion and Ion-Selective Electrode. If total fluorine was observed at levels of 10 parts per million (ppm) or greater, further analysis was done to determine the amount of organic fluorine. 

The study found that 14% of the total condoms and lubricants tested had indications of PFAS, with organic fluorine levels ranging from 13 ppm to 68 ppm.

Which Condoms Have PFAS?

Share intimate moments that don’t involve PFAS. Avoid lubricants and condoms with high PFAS levels. Shop for condoms and lubes that tested for low PFAS levels. Check out the results of the Mamavation condom study.  

Best Brands for Low PFAS Condoms and Lubricants

  • Glyde Ultra Standard Fit Ultra Thin Condoms
  • P.S. Good Times Exceptionally Thin Latex Condoms
  • Sustain Natural Ultra Thin Lubricated Latex Condoms
  • Aloe Cadabra Personal Lubricant & Moisturizer Natural Aloe
  • Foria Awaken Arousal Oil with Organic Botanicals
  • Honey Pot Organic Moisturizing Lubricant Organic Strawberry

Better Brands for Low PFAS Condoms and Lubricants

  • Durex Real Feel Non-Latex Regular Fit Polyisoprene Condoms
  • Kimono Micro Thin Barely There Condoms
  • KY Me & You Condoms Extra Lubricated
  • Astroglide Water-Based Long Lasting Personal Lubricant
  • Good Clean Love Almost Naked Personal Lubricant

Worst Brands for High PFAS Levels in Condoms and Lubricants

  • Trojan Ultra Thin Condoms for Ultra Sensitivity
  • Union Standard Ultra Thin Lubricated Male Latex Condoms
  • KY Jelly Classic Water-Based Personal Lubricant
  • Lola Tingling Mint Pleasure Gel for Spot-On Arousal
  • P.S. Moisturizing & Healing Hypoallergenic 100% Vegan Premium Lube Organic Aloe & Plant-Based
  • Uberlube Silicone Lube

How Does A Body Absorb PFAS from Condoms and Lube?

PFAS found in lubricants and condoms are raising legitimate concerns regarding their impact on our health and overall well-being. These chemicals can be transmitted during sexual activities through various means. 

Most commonly, PFAS from condoms and lubricants enter the body through skin absorption [4]. The penis and vagina have delicate tissues that are more prone to absorbing chemicals than other areas of the body [5]. When putting condoms and lubricants on our genitalia, PFAS can be absorbed readily. 

When things get hot, they literally get hot. Sexual activities increase body temperature. Heat can increase the transfer of PFAS through the skin barrier [6]. 

Lastly, these chemicals can enter our bodies orally. Make sure to wash your genitals after using a condom or lubricant to reduce further PFAS absorption. 

Health Effects of PFAS in Lube and Condoms

Sexual health should empower your overall health, not complicate it. Have safe sex by limiting your exposure to PFAS if possible. 

When these substances are absorbed through intimate products like condoms and lubricants, they can enter our bodies and pose risks to our overall health. Repeated exposure to PFAS have been linked to various health concerns, including hormonal disruptions, reproductive issues, and even potential carcinogenic effects [7].

These "forever chemicals," can have long-lasting effects that span multiple generations, especially when exposure happens during pregnancy. PFAS can cross the placenta and directly affect the growing baby [8]. 

This exposure can lead to various health issues for the child, including potential reproductive problems later in life. What's more, PFAS exposure during pregnancy can cause changes in how genes work without changing the DNA itself [9]. 

These gene changes can be passed down to future generations, potentially affecting the health of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Studies have also shown that sons of mothers exposed to PFAS during pregnancy may have lower sperm quality when they grow up [10].

How Do Condoms and Lube End Up with PFAS?

Condoms and lubricants are not intentionally made with PFAS chemicals. However, these products can become contaminated with PFAS during its journey from production to your bedroom. Here are some ways that condoms and lubricants can become contaminated with PFAS. 

Packaging Materials Used for Condoms and Lubricants

Using protection during sex can be crucial for your health or preventing pregnancy. Therefore, these products must not be damaged when they're used.

From pockets to purses to wallets to nightstands, packages of condoms can travel long distances before being used. Therefore, the packaging needs to be durable to ensure that the product is safe and effective to use. As a result, many companies use packaging made with PFAS.

PFAS are water-and grease-resistant. While desirable for contraceptives' shelf life, these chemicals can migrate from the packaging into the products over time. 

Individual condom wrappers may be treated with PFAS to enhance their moisture barrier properties. Similarly, lubricant bottles or tubes might contain PFAS in their linings or coatings. 

Even if the products themselves are initially PFAS-free, prolonged contact with contaminated packaging can lead to the presence of these chemicals in the final product that reaches consumers. 

When purchasing lube, consider getting a lubricant in a glass bottle. This will reduce the risk of PFAS contaminating your lubricant. 

The Use of Latex Gloves in Manufacturing

Quality control is crucial for creating safe and effective products, including condoms and lubricants. That’s why manufacturers require employees to wear gloves when creating these products. 

Unfortunately, many latex gloves are made with PFAS. These forever chemicals are added for their water resistance and durability. 

However, trace amounts of PFAS can transfer to condoms or lubricants when employees wearing gloves with PFAS handle them. 

It’s important for sexual health companies to consider the effects of PFAS in condoms and lubricants. We urge manufacturers to start using nitrile or medical-grade silicone gloves instead of gloves made with PFAS. If your favorite condom or lubricant brand tested high for PFAS, consider sharing this report with their customer service. Invoke the change you wish to see in sexual health products! 

Manufacturing Equipment and Processing Aids

PFAS contamination can also occur through contact with manufacturing equipment and processing aids. Many industrial machines and tools are coated with PFAS-containing materials to provide non-stick and water-resistant properties. 

When condoms or lubricants come into contact with these surfaces during production, they can pick up trace amounts of PFAS. Additionally, some processing aids used in the manufacture of latex and silicone products may contain PFAS compounds. 

These aids help in molding, shaping, and finishing the products but can leave behind PFAS residues. Manufacturers may not always be aware of the PFAS content in their equipment or processing aids, making it challenging to eliminate this source of contamination without comprehensive testing and supplier verification.

How to Find Non-Toxic Condoms and Lube

The detection of PFAS in condoms is significant, highlighting the need to prioritize safer alternatives for intimate care. Opt for PFAS-free condom options like Glyde Ultra Standard Fit Ultra Thin Condoms or Good Times Exceptionally Thin Latex Condoms to help reduce the risks associated with harmful chemical exposure during intimate moments. Additionally, select lubricants with low PFAS levels, such as KY Me & You Condoms Extra Lubricated or Astroglide Water-Based Long Lasting Personal Lubricant. By making informed choices and consciously choosing products that prioritize safety and well-being, we empower ourselves to enjoy fulfilling and healthy intimate connections.

Resources

[1] https://www.mamavation.com/health/condoms-lubricants-pfas-forever-chemicals.html 
[2] https://www.nrdc.org/stories/forever-chemicals-called-pfas-show-your-food-clothes-and-home 
[3] https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.estlett.0c00255 
[4] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412024003581
[5] https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/full/10.1289/ehp.8051 
[6] https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.est.2c03181 
[7] https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/health-effects/index.html
[8] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7473499/ 
[9] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304389423021295 
[10] https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/EHP10285