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Is it safe to use vegetables and fruits for self pleasure? Let’s find out

Self pleasure can help you explore your sexual desires and fantasy. Like you must practice safe sex, indulging in healthy masturbation can't be ignored too.
Follow these tips to practice safe self pleasure. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock
Radhika Bhirani Updated: 24 Jan 2023, 23:17 pm IST

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Carrots, radish, banana, cucumber and zucchini are all healthy when consumed as fruits and vegetables. But if you are smitten by the idea of using these phallic-shaped foods for self-pleasure, STOP! The idea of using fruits and vegetables for masturbation instead of putting your fingers or sex toys to use, can affect your vaginal health and hygiene, say experts.

Inserting fruits and vegetables in your vagina should never be a solution to your desire for self pleasure, according to popular sexual health educator Seema Anand. An advocate for healthy and safe sex practices, the influencer doled out the masturbation tip on social media.

How safe is it to use fruits and vegetables for self pleasure?

Sex and self pleasure still remain hush-hush topics in drawing rooms and homes, even though the virtual world makes it seem otherwise. A growing tribe of sexual health educators and influencers have eased social media conversations about sexual health overtime, but at the ground level, people have a lot to know and learn. So, when one follower asked Seema Anand about how safe it is to use “natural options” such as fruits and vegetables for masturbation – also known to some as organic masturbation – here’s what she had to say!

“I understand sex toys can often be very difficult to access but fruits and vegetables should never be an option! The pesticides, soil remnants and germs that come with any kind of produce are not easy to get rid of and can be a source of serious infections,” Seema Anand wrote in an Instagram post.

Masturbation has multiple health benefits! Image courtesy: Shutterstock

Be it sex or self pleasure, basic hygiene has to be taken care of to avoid any unwanted infections and health problems, asserts Dr Vaishali Sharma, MD (AIIMS) COAG (Harvard), Dr Vaishali Sharma, MD (AIIMS) DSAGE (Germany), Senior Gynecologist, Laparoscopic Surgeon, and infertility specialist.

“It’s unhygenic, breakable and stuckable in vagina,” says the doctor when asked about the use of fruits and vegetables for masturbation.

Tips to practice self pleasure safely

1. Use sex toys instead of vegetables and fruits

“It is better to use more sophisticated products made specifically for this purpose,” says Dr Sharma. We agree! The market is growing for sexual wellness products and online sales have increased access. Besides, while people may be aware of the health benefits of masturbation, let us tell you that using sex toys can be a win-win for you too.

If you’re shy to use sex toys, trust Seema Anand’s pro tip: “Use your fingers! Cut your nails (sharp nails can harm your vagina), wash your hands properly and then use them. The way you can control self pleasure with the nerve endings in your fingertips is unmatched, and it’s also the safest alternative!”

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2. Inserting vegetables can change the vaginal pH

Normally, vaginal secretions are acidic in nature, to prevent growth of pathogenic organisms. Anything which makes it a bit alkaline can provide favourable conditions for the growth of disease-causing organisms. It can cause bacterial, fungal or viral infections, shares Dr Sharma.

Carrots are only meant to be eaten! Image courtesy: Shutterstock

3. Fruits and vegetables are breakable

The thought of it may be scary, but it can happen! Dr Sharma reveals, “Many a times girls come in emergency with complaint of broken foreign body stuck in vagina. This needs prompt removal, else it can lead to severe infection like PID.” In certain cases, if this broken vegetable or fruit is not recognised initially, there’s a risk of the stuck object of lodging deep inside, causing fulminant infection. This, the doctor says, then has to be surgically removed under anaesthesia.

Things you should never use for masturbation

If you have a vanilla sex life, the idea of using things like an electric toothbrush or even bathroom faucets may seem alien to you. But that doesn’t mean people don’t have a fancy for it.

One online search for household items people use for self pleasure can tell you about the range of things they reach out for! That includes things such as hair brush, candles, lotions, creams and oils (as lubricants), pens, pillows and makeup items! The weirdest? A vacuum cleaner. Well, let’s just say it’s better to use sex toys or the good ol’ finger to do the job.

Also read: These are 7 things you must NEVER use for masturbation

Radhika Bhirani

Radhika Bhirani is a journalist with close to 15 years of experience in the Indian media industry. After writing extensively on health, lifestyle and entertainment, she leads the English content team at Health Shots. She has a special interest in writing on mental health and wellness. ...Read More

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