Your Guide to Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Tools and Toys: How to Choose, Use, and Clean them Safely
Brianna Rogers, MSc, BHSc
It’s What’s On The Inside That Counts!
What we put in and around our genitals matters! Whether you’ve been recommended dilator therapy or a pelvic wand to help with your pelvic floor physiotherapy, are looking for sex toys to explore your pleasure, or want to find the perfect lube, this guide is for you!
This guide will keep your health, wellness, and pleasure in mind as we discuss:
Materials - Some body-safe materials for pelvic floor tools or sex toys, especially when being used for penetration.
Lube - What types of lube exist and what kind you may want to reach for depending on your needs and what you’re using it for.
Cleaning - How to ensure any pelvic floor tools or sex toys used in or around your genitals are clean and avoid irritation.
Proactive Pelvic Health Centre’s Picks - Some of our favourite pelvic floor physiotherapy tools and lube we love so much that we sell in the clinic!
Materials
Body-Safe Choices
Whether you’re looking for a pelvic wand, a new set of dilators, a dildo, or a vibrator, it’s important that the items you’re using in and around your genitals are body-safe. This means these items are durable, designed for your genitals, and non-porous. Non-porous materials are key as they don’t trap microorganisms, bacteria, or other particles, making them easier to thoroughly clean between uses. This is super important to avoid introducing bacteria into your genitals that could cause irritation, UTIs, or yeast infections.
Silicone
100% silicone is hands down the gold standard when it comes to any tools or toys used in and around the genitals! It is a fantastic choice as it is silky smooth, flexible, durable, and non-porous. Silicone can also be easily cleaned with a gentle and fragrance-free soap, your favourite toy cleaner, and can even be boiled to give you an ultra good clean and remove any lingering odours!
Note: Silicone toys and tools must be used with water-based lube only! If silicone toys are used with silicone-based lube, the toy can break down and become damaged.
Borosilicate Glass
Borosilicate glass can be a surprising material for many folks looking for their next body-safe toy for internal use, but it truly is an amazing choice! Borosilicate glass is another non-porous option for people enticed by toys with a firm glide, or temperature play (ie. the ability to refrigerate or boil your toy before insertion).
Note: Glass toys and tools can be used with water-based, silicone-based, and oil-based lube!
ABS Plastic
ABS plastic is a hard, non-porous plastic that can also be safely used for pelvic tools or sex toys. It is generally easy to clean and can be a practical option for pelvic health tools and toys. ABS plastic can crack when dropped or scratch easier than materials like silicone or glass, so always ensure you inspect your items before use.
Note: ABS plastic toys and tools can be used with water-based and silicone-based lube!
Avoid anything made of “jelly” rubber, PVC, or TRP/TPE. These materials are not regulated, porous, often leech microplastics with ongoing use, and can contain harmful phthalates.
Lube
Lube is beautiful and wonderful thing! Through years working in sexual health education, sexual wellness, and now at Proactive Pelvic Health Centre, one of the most common complaints I hear is people who are self-conscious their vagina doesn’t get “naturally” “wet enough”. While I have utmost empathy for where this concern comes from (whether it be false depictions of vaginal function in pornography or partners perpetuating the false idea that you should be able to get wet and stay wet), we owe it to ourselves to throw this false idea out the window.
To all my vagina owners or vagina lovers, lube is our friend! We deserve to enhance our experiences by making penetration easier, more comfortable, and more enjoyable! There is no shame in prioritizing comfort and pleasure.
Below I walk you through the three main types of lube and the differences between them.
Water-Based Lube
Water-based lube is a versatile option that can be used with toys, tools, condoms, and bodies! For folks who have sensitivities to lube, water-based lube (with limited ingredients and free from any fragrance, parabens, or glycerin) is usually the ideal option. Water-based lube is safe to use with any toys or tools, and washes out of clothes and bedsheets easily. The one drawback with water-based lube is that it dries out quicker than a silicone based or oil based lube.
Do you find your water-based lube dries out quickly, but you don’t want to apply more? Keep a glass of water beside your bed, dip your fingers in, and add water back to the area you applied your lube. Water-based lube can get sticky when the water disappears through heat, friction, or absorption, so adding moisture back works wonders!
Silicone-Based Lube
Silicone-based lube is longer-lasting and works particularly well in the shower or bath because it is not water-soluble. The downside being that silicone-based lube is more likely to stain clothes or sheets. While silicone-based lube is a great option to use with bodies, condoms, and materials like glass or steel, it should not be used with silicone items.
silicone-based lube + silicone toys = melting, breakdown, and damage
Oil-Based Lube
Oil-based lube can be fantastic in some settings, but unideal in others. Oil-based lube can feel thick, luxurious, and stay slippery for a long time, and is ideal for external stimulation or anal use. When used internally vaginally, oil-based lube has a high likelihood of disrupting pH levels and causing irritation for sensitive folks. It is important to note that oil-based lube cannot be used with condoms as it breaks down the latex and can cause the condom to rip or break. Alongside silicone-based lube, oil-based lube is also a sneaky culprit of being hard to clean up, and causing damage to silicone and rubber toys.
Cleaning
You can have a great quality 100% silicone pelvic wand, use the same water-based lube from your pelvic physiotherapy appointment that caused no problems, and still get vaginal irritation if you’re not cleaning your pelvic wand properly. If you’re looking to clean any pelvic physiotherapy tool or sex toy that gets used in or around your genitals, the following guide applies.
For non-motorized items like pelvic wands, dilators, dildos, or anal plugs, you can use any mild and unscented soap with lukewarm water. Run the item under water, lather it with soap for 20-30 seconds, and thoroughly rinse ensuring all soap has been washed away. Avoid soaps with fragrance or added moisturizers that could leave a film behind. Antibacterial soap is not necessary, especially if you find your vagina or vulva is sensitive to irritation.
For anything that is motorized, read and follow item specific guidelines. Some items are completely waterproof, whereas others need to be carefully cleaned without being submerged.
Proactive Pelvic Health Centre’s Picks!
We want to make your pelvic health and sexual wellness journey as easy as possible! That’s why we have some of our favourite products available for you to purchase at Proactive Pelvic Health Centre.
FemmeSense Balm - External Vulvar Moisturizer
If you are experiencing itching, discomfort, or chafing on your vulva, FemmeSense Balm could be the product for you! Derived from premium quality botanical ingredients, FemmeSense Balm provides long-lasting vulvar moisturization and a light protective barrier to soothe itching, discomfort and chafing. FemmeSense Balm is made for external vaginal use on areas like the labia, clitoris, or perineum, but should not be used to replace lube (ie. should not be used in the vagina or for penetration). Made for women, by women, it is formulated with non-comedogenic (non-clogging) ingredients, including vitamin E and hyaluronic acid, our body’s natural lubricant. As we age, we make less hyaluronic acid, which can lead to skin dryness.
MUKO Lubricating Jelly - Water Based Lube
If you’ve had an internal pelvic physiotherapy assessment done at Proactive Pelvic Health Centre, MUKO water-based lube was likely used! This is a great water-based lube commonly used in both medical and personal settings. With limited unnecessary ingredients, this is a great option for people who are more sensitive to added “extras”. If you’re using silicone dilators or a silicone pelvic wand for your pelvic physiotherapy, this is a great option to use! This lube has a nice thick gel like consistency.
Slippery Stuff - Water Based Gel Lube
Slippery Stuff is another medical grade water-based lube we sell in the clinic for both pelvic floor physiotherapy related and sexual wellness related use. This lube is less thick than MUKO, but has a more plush consistency compared to standard liquid lubes.
überlube - Silicone Based Lube
If you’re looking for a well loved and reliable silicone-based lube, überlube rocks! Überlube is a personal lubricant for vaginal, penile, or anal use. It provides lubrication for external and internal use. It only four ingredients, no preservatives, and has been developed and tested for an optimal smooth, silky texture. It lasts longer on the skin surface without drying out or getting sticky. Bonus points get awarded for the beautiful glass bottle it comes in! This lube is thin in consistency, but very long-lasting.
FemmeSense Dilator Set - Set of 5 Silicone Vaginal Dilators
This set of silky-smooth silicone dilators are perfect for anyone looking for a versatile dilator set for their pelvic physiotherapy journey. This set includes 5 different sized dilators to support a wide range of dilation goals. Each dilator has a convenient loop to help with insertion/removal, and has inch markers engraved into the dilator to help track dilation progress. Sizes include:
13 cm long x 1.2 cm wide
14.5 cm long x 1.8 cm wide
16 cm long x 2.2 cm wide
17.5 cm long x 2.7 cm wide
19 cm long x 3.3 cm wide
Intimate Rose Pelvic Wand - Silicone Pelvic Wand
Designed by a pelvic physical therapist, this pelvic wand is an internal pelvic floor physiotherapy tool to help release tight pelvic muscles. It is 100% silicone, dual-ended, and can be used both vaginally or rectally.
Conclusion
Ultimately, choosing the right pelvic health tools, sex toys, and lube is about comfort, pleasure, and caring for your body. By understanding materials, selecting a lube that suits your needs, and cleaning your products properly, you can make informed choices that support your pelvic health and wellbeing. Whether you’re using a dilator, pelvic wand, or toy, remember that your comfort, safety, and pleasure matter! If you’re unsure which tools or products are right for you, a pelvic floor physiotherapist can help you explore your options and find what works best for your body.
Whether you’re struggling with pelvic pain and want to see a pelvic floor physiotherapist, or want to enhance your capacity for pleasure with our clinical sexologist, Proactive Pelvic Health Centre is here to support you!