In a recent study published in the journal Sexually Transmitted Diseases, which is being touted as the first academic survey of sex toy use, 27% of participants report using sex toys. The study also suggests links between sex toy use, recreational drug use for sexual enrichment, and risky sexual behavior.

For more on the myriad of problems with both the research and the reporting on the study, I recommend a visit to the website of the ever thoughtful Dr. Petra Boynton who catalogues concerns with the methodology, data interpretation, and ethics of this study out of the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

The study was conducted over the telephone in a “random-digit dial survey” with 18 to 39 year olds living in the Seattle area between 2003 and 2004.

The results indicate that during a typical 4-week period 27% of participants used a sex toy and 13% of participants used some sort of drug to enhance their sexual experience. Mind you, almost 84% of those that used a drug were drinking alcohol (whereas 8.2% used ecstasy).

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