Josh Ortiz of XR Brands, via his “Dear DadBodDom“ SE column, offers key safety information to help advise customers exploring internal electrostim.
(Note: This article by Josh Ortiz appears in the February 2026 issue of SE Magazine.)
Q: Dear DadBodDom, I am seeing a lot of new insertable electrostim toys, but they don’t include much safety info. Are there any important safety tips I should be sharing with our customers when they are purchasing electrostim toys designed for vaginal or anal insertion?
—Titillating in Toronto
A: Hey, Titillating! I love this question so much! I train a lot on internal electrostim, so this is a question near and dear to my electricity-loving heart. There are definitely some safety tips for inserting electrostim toys into any orifice, and this information is imperative to our retail partners and customer base alike. Those with an implanted medical device made with metal components, like copper IUDs or pacemakers, should especially be cautious.
My first safety tip is for vulva owners with copper IUDs. Let’s start with the fundamental basics surrounding copper and its use in contraceptives. On its own, copper is wildly spermicidal. And as a nonhormonal contraceptive, it’s a popular choice within the LGBTQ+ community among genderfluid and nonbinary vulva owners and trans masc folks who still have internal reproductive organs. It’s also a favored option for anyone who simply doesn’t want to use a birth control that adds estrogen into their bodies.
“Inserting an electrostim toy into the vagina when a copper IUD is present will guarantee that kitty-cat turns into a popcorn popper, STAT.”
— Josh Ortiz
Copper also happens to be crazy conductive. Electricity and copper? Chef’s kiss. However, inserting an electrostim toy into the vagina when a copper IUD is present will guarantee that kitty-cat turns into a popcorn popper, STAT.
So, your customer has a copper IUD? Recommend that they stick with external electrostim on the extremities.
This safety tip is for folks who have an implant device that operates on an electromagnetic frequency, like a pacemaker, an internalized insulin pump or a pain pump. Using an internal electrostim toy can interfere with the device’s intended function.
For example, a pacemaker sends low-energy electrical pulses to the heart, correcting slow or irregular heartbeats. Using an internal electrostim toy may interrupt that process and cause injury. So, if it’s electric, has a battery and is implanted in your body, it’s best to avoid internal electrostimulation.
Instead, I suggest these customers stick with shocking the limbs. There are so many fun areas of the body that can be electrified, so even if a shopper needs to avoid internal electrostimuli, there’s still a whole gaggle of external pleasure points they can explore. I’d much rather know I can’t shock an area and suffer temporary frustration than not know at all and suffer from pain or a traumatic injury.
At the end of the day, we all want to find fun and safe ways to play, and being empowered with the knowledge to implement safety practices means we can let go and ride the lightning—responsibly, of course. — TDBD
Josh is a Sex Educator and Brand Ambassador in the pleasure product industry. If you have a question you’d like to see featured in Dear DadBodDom, please email thedadboddom@gmail.com and you may see yours answered next!
