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Green Sex: Getting Techie
Birth control
Your health and family-planning choices are the top priorities when it comes to birth control, but there are some notable things to consider when choosing how to go about it in a green way.
Condoms: there are some vegan and more eco-friendly condom choices on the market, and buying in bulk, as always, saves on packaging.
Birth control pills can cut out the condom waste, and are an option if you have a steady partner and you’ve both been tested for STDs. Be aware that there are rising concerns about the hormones from birth control pills ending up in waterways and having serious effects on wildlife, both from pills flushed down the toilet, and from women’s urine.
The diaphragm is another non-disposable method of baby-prevention.
An intrauterine device, or IUD, is a method of birth control that is inserted by a doctor into a woman’s uterus. The devise releases either a hormone or copper, which, oddly enough, has effective spermicidal properties. For monogamous couples not interested in any (more) kids, sterilization can be an option to consider. There are other methods as well, all of which a person should discuss with a doctor if there are doubts or questions.
The rhythm method and pull-out method are notoriously ineffective and should not be relied on, no matter how green they might seem. Of course the biggest ecological impact resulting from sex is a baby. Human population is arguably the most threatening force on Earth, and with human population expected to reach 8.3 billion by 2030, reproducing is perhaps the largest impact any of us have.
Phthalates are esters of phthalic acid which are commonly used to soften plastics, often in sex toys, as we mentioned in the Green Sex: By the Numbers section. Unfortunately, high doses of phthalates in your system have been shown to change hormone levels and cause birth defects, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control. They're bad enough that California will ban the use of phthalates in toys and baby products as of 2009. Long story short: they're worth avoiding, in baby bottles, sex toys, and everything else.
Post-sex pee
Urinary tract infections are not uncommon for women, and after sex is a vulnerable time for women's delicate little tubes. To avoid urinary tract infections and the not-so-friendly antibiotics that are often prescribed, women should pee after sex if they can. Another good reason to stay hydrated.
Personal lawn care
Some people definitely do go for the wild and untamed look, but many modern tree huggers do one thing or another to keep their body hair in check, especially when it comes to intimate moments. Shaving and waxing can do the trick, but especially waxing can be resource intensive and also expensive in the long run. Laser and electrolysis hair removal, after a number of treatments, can be more or less permanent, which might be greener over time. The Preserve razor from Recycline has replaceable heads and an ergonomic handle made from recycled plastic (mostly Stonyfield Farms yogurt cups). But don't stop there. The Razor Saver is a $12 device that resharpens dulled blade cartridges.
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