How can you use poppers safely during sex?

Why do you use poppers during sex?

You can use poppers during sex to enjoy the experience more. They often make you feel hornier. Plus, poppers help relax your anus. This makes it easier to get someone’s penis or fingers inside.

How do poppers work?

Poppers come in small bottles. It’s a transparent liquid with a strong odour. This is how to use them:

• You sniff the vapours that come out of the bottle. Do not drink the liquid! This is dangerous
• You shortly feel different than normally: you feel hornier and more relaxed
• Your anus relaxes and a penis or finger can enter it more easily
• After a couple of minutes, the sensation is gone, and you feel normal again

Are poppers bad for your health?

Usually, poppers are not dangerous for your health. But you can have some issues if you use them:

• It can sometimes be difficult to get a hard penis. Even after the poppers wear off
• You can get a headache or heart palpitations. Or you can get nauseous. Usually, this effect doesn’t last long
• You can get small burns in or close to your nose. Or you can get a burning or painful sensation on your skin. Usually this will heal after a week

Do you use poppers often? That can be bad for your health. You could get these issues:

• You can be more affected by nasal allergies because the inside of your nose is damaged. This will be solved by not using poppers for a while
• You can get anaemia: this almost never happen
• Your eyes can be damaged. This can cause vision problems, like blurriness or blind spots. Rarely, it could lead to blindness. But this happens extremely rarely. Most of these symptoms are just temporary. Are you noticing your vision is worsening? Then stop using poppers.

How can you use poppers safely?

Most people don’t get sick from using poppers occasionally. That being said, it’s good to use poppers safely. This way you can stay healthy. To do so:

This is how you use poppers

• Stick to poppers brands you know and have tried before, so you know what to expect and lower your chance of annoying symptoms
• Do you not know the poppers you want to use? Then start with a short sniff and see what effect it has on you. Some brands are stronger than others
• Do not drink poppers: that is dangerous! Did you do that anyway? Then immediately call 112 for medical help
• Keep enough distance between the bottle and your nose. Make sure your nose doesn’t touch the liquid. Poppers can damage the skin on your nose
• Make sure that the liquid doesn’t touch your fingers, penis or anus. This can give a burning, painful sensation
• Are you bringing your poppers somewhere? Place the bottle in a plastic bag that you can seal. The bottle could open by accident. The bag will prevent the liquid from touching your skin
• Did it reach your skin anyway? Rinse it off immediately with water, to avoid burning spots

When should you NOT use poppers?

• If you are also using erection pills. Using them together can make you fall unconscious (pass out). It can also be bad for your heart and kidneys
• If you are also using other drugs. When you use poppers, your blood pressure drops temporarily. The combination with other drugs can cause heart problems
• If your vision worsens after using them. If this is the case, stop using poppers
• If you have diseases or issues, for example heart or kidney issues

If you have diseases or issues

People with these health issues should avoid using poppers:

• People who use blood thinners
• Heart or kidney patients

Do you want to use poppers anyway? Then discuss with your doctor how you can do this as safely as possible. In any case, do not use poppers together with erection pills.

Are you allowed to use poppers in the Netherlands?

Yes, you are. Buying or using poppers is not punishable by Dutch law. Some parties and clubs allow you to bring them inside. Other clubs don’t, and they can refuse you entry if you bring them. This depends on the club’s rules. Sometimes it’s only allowed to bring a bottle inside if it hasn’t been opened yet.

Most poppers can be sold in the Netherlands. You can buy them at some bars, sex shops or online.

Are poppers addictive?

No, poppers are not addictive. You can stop using them without experiencing problems.

Do you use poppers often? Then you will need more and more to get the same nice feeling. And you could start enjoying sex without poppers less.

Want to know more about poppers?

On Unity’s website you can read more about poppers and how to use them safely.

Read more about poppers