Jamie F
MysteryVibe has become the first consumer sex toy brand to have its products ‘officially’ classified as medical aids in the US, with its devices now eligible to be bought as medical expenses.
This month (November 2022) MysteryVibe devices were registered with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), becoming eligible to be bought as medical aids using Flexible Savings Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) cards. These cards are usually used to buy services and products, such as doctor appointments and prescription drugs.
The new medical aids
The company called the news a “step forward in normalizing sexual health”.
The move towards reframing toys as medical aids is part of the sextech industry’s shift to be categorized within the health and wellness sector rather than something purely to do with novelty and pleasure. While some might question the medical benefits of, say, clitoris-sucking devices and anal vibrators, many sextech brands argue that sexual pleasure is fundamentally part of a healthy life.
Being categorized in health and wellness rather than as a sexual pleasure product also happens to be beneficial for sales prospects. Products and services categorized as sex-related are often blocked or restricted by online sales sites, social media and online advertising rules.
The struggle for re-categorization in recent years has been highlighted by Facebook’s alleged banning of some adverts billed as being for sexual health products and services.
“We’re thrilled to officially add FSA/HSA payment options to our site, a first for a consumer-facing sexual wellness brand. Since our launch in 2014, we’ve worked closely with leading doctors and experts to address major sexual health issues like genito-pelvic pain, penetration pain, erectile dysfunction and arousal disorder,” Dr. Soumyadip Rakshit, CEO and co-founder of MysteryVibe, said in a statement.
“The fact that our pleasure products will now be accessible alongside mainstream medical offerings via FSA/HSA cards is a step forward in normalizing sexual health as a fundamental part of overall health,” he added.
Enter, Mysteryvibe Molto
MysteryVibe’s recent products announced include the Legato, billed as the “world’s first flexible labia vibrator”. Another is the Tenuto 2: a flexible toy for couples.
The brand has also just announced the Molto: a device billed as the world’s first bendable ultra-slim prostate vibrator. It’s marketed by the company as being “perfect for first-time users who want to explore anal orgasms with a very slim device.”
It’s showerproof, has a single motor and charges via USB. Out-of-the-box there are 16 different intensities and some pre-made vibration patterns, or you can create your own via the Mysteryvibe app.
While the Mysteryvibe Molto is available to pre-order now ($104/£90 at the time of writing), delivery isn’t expected to start until April 2023, so don’t bank on gifting one at Christmas.
Read next: MysteryVibe Poco review: A uniquely bendable bullet with deep rumbly vibes
