Amazon decision risks making female health tech less accessible

by Stephanie Taylor, Intimate Health Expert and Managing Director of Kegel8

“Starting November 15th, Amazon, the world’s largest marketplace, will begin mislabelling pelvic floor devices including pelvic floor wands and Kegel weights as “adult products” or “sex toys”.

“This decision will have a massive impact on consumers’ ability to access safe and medically approved pelvic health solutions and could risk putting them off from taking control of their intimate health.

“Pelvic floor conditions affect 1 in 3 people at some point in their lifetime and women are the most at risk. From poor bladder control, pelvic organ prolapse to discomfort with tampon use and even painful intimacy, pelvic health symptoms are all too common.

“While many of these symptoms and conditions are treatable, restricted access to pelvic health solutions delays treatment and prolongs suffering, and will undo progress in making these issues less of a taboo.

“A ‘pelvic floor wand’ or ‘therapeutic wand’ is used by professional pelvic floor physiotherapists and their patients to treat pelvic and bladder conditions. The device is also to be used at home by women and men suffering from pelvic floor dysfunction to treat symptoms of pelvic pain, bladder pain, dyspareunia and vaginismus. Users need to follow the therapy numerous times daily when treating pelvic pain, inserting it internally to release painful trigger points on the internal muscles.

“The efficiency of such devices is supported by the Pelvic Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy (POGP). The ‘POGP’ is a professional network affiliated with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, which boasts chartered physiotherapists who specialise in pelvic, obstetric and genealogical physiotherapy.

“According to a recent study carried out by the network, pelvic floor wands are efficient alongside physiotherapy for treating bladder pain syndrome in women. Meanwhile, another study found the Internal Trigger Point Wand beneficial for patients suffering from chronic pelvic pain syndromes, supporting the safety and effectiveness of such tools as medical devices.

“It’s surprising and frustrating to hear Amazon (and as a result, its customers) are unable to differentiate between what is a rehabilitation therapy device and a sex toy.

“The term ‘wand’ is used by many sex toy manufacturers to masquerade as a ‘body massage’ device (see example attached) that bears no resemblance in style and functionality to Pelvic Floor Wands or Therapeutic Wands.

“Pelvic health professionals welcome a change from Amazon to help their buyers differentiate between a sex toy and a genuine therapy device. However, relabelling a ‘wand’ type therapy device in the sex toy category is a retrograde step and an insult to those suffering a painful, debilitating condition.

“The thought that a woman or man in pain, suffering an embarrassing, debilitating condition, would then have to shop on Amazon through pages of sex toys, dildos, vibrators, sex dolls and more to find a therapy device is quite frankly absurd!

“There’s currently a growing movement on Twitter #1in3andme against the new policy and a change.org petition calling for Amazon to reverse its decision.”