In the last decade, we’ve been spoiled with an influx of women-owned-and-operated sexual wellness brands. Just a few of the best-known women-owned and women-founded sexual wellness brands: Dame, co-founded by sexologist Alexandra Fine and MIT-trained engineer Janet Lieberman. Maude, founded by Éva Goicochea. Unbound, founded by Polly Rodriguez.
What tends to set them apart isn't novelty. It's a focus on body-safe materials, honest education, and designing for pleasure that mainstream products long overlooked. Coincidence? Hardly.
What they do differently
The strongest women-owned brands tend to lead with education and back it with materials you can actually trust. We’re biased, but a brand like Dame is a clear example of how far that can go. Every product runs through Dame Labs, a testing community of more than 10,000 people, and is reviewed by a clinical board of OB/GYNs and pelvic floor physical therapists before it ships. The toys are 100% body-safe silicone, with the exception of the ABS-plastic Zee bullet, and carry a 3-year warranty. Real-world testing, clinical review, a long warranty. All the kind of thing that signals a brand built around the person using it, rather than around a trend or spreadsheet.
How to vet any sexual wellness brand
Whatever brand you're exploring, a few simple checks will cut through the marketing.
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Materials: look for 100% body-safe silicone or another non-porous material, not vague "body-safe" claims on what are actually porous plastics.
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Warranty: the longer the warranty, the greater the confidence in the build.
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Transparency: does the brand explain how products are tested, or who's behind them?
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Education: brands that teach rather than just sell have usually thought harder about the actual experience.
Questions people actually ask
What are some women-owned sexual wellness brands?
Just a few widely recognized examples: Dame, founded by Alexandra Fine and Janet Lieberman; Maude, founded by Éva Goicochea; Unbound, founded by Polly Rodriguez, and countless others.
Why choose a women-owned sexual wellness brand?
Who knows our bodies better? Many were built to fill gaps older products ignored, like body-safe materials and reliable clitoral stimulation, and that tends to show up as better design and more candid education.
What makes Dame stand out among women-owned brands?
Dame pairs a testing community of 10,000-plus people with a clinical board of OB/GYNs and pelvic floor physical therapists, uses body-safe silicone, and offers a 3-year warranty.
How can I tell if a brand's products are body-safe?
Look for a 100% non-porous material like medical-grade silicone, clear testing information, and a real warranty. Vague claims on porous plastics are a red flag.