Have you been given an Aniball by a friend or sister? Or are you considering buying a used Aniball second-hand? For hygiene and safety reasons, I do not recommend using an Aniball that has previously been used by another woman.
Aniball is an intimate medical device that comes into direct contact with the vaginal mucosa. It is therefore intended for use by one woman only. Even thorough cleaning does not address another important issue: with a second-hand Aniball, you do not know its history and cannot reliably verify how it was used, cleaned or stored, or which products it may have come into contact with.
Why shouldn’t you use someone else’s Aniball?
Passing your Aniball on to a sister or friend after giving birth may seem practical. I also understand the financial and environmental reasons why women may consider doing so.
However, with an intimate medical device, there are two important factors to consider: hygiene and the unknown history of the device.
1. Aniball is an intimate medical device intended for a single user
During training, the balloon comes into direct contact with the vaginal mucosa. For hygiene reasons, Aniball is therefore not intended to be shared between different users.
Routine cleaning after training is part of caring for Aniball when it is being used by one woman. It does not make a previously used Aniball suitable for use by someone else.
2. You don’t know the history of a second-hand Aniball
With a used Aniball, you cannot reliably know how the previous owner handled it. For example, you do not know how long or in what way it was used, how it was cleaned and stored, or whether a suitable lubricant was used during training.
This unknown history may be relevant to the safety of further use.
3. An unsuitable lubricant can affect the balloon material – without visible signs
From a safety perspective, it is important to consider not only whether an Aniball looks undamaged, but also how it has been handled in the past.
When using Aniball, we recommend water-based lubricants only. In practice, however, we sometimes encounter the use of unsuitable lubricants, particularly oils and oil-based products. These can negatively affect the balloon material, potentially altering its structure and properties.
Such changes may not be visible to the naked eye. The balloon may appear to be in perfect condition, while its material may no longer have its original properties. During inflation and use, the balloon is exposed to pressure and mechanical stress, which is why hidden material damage may present a safety risk.
With a second-hand Aniball, you cannot reliably verify which products it has come into contact with or how it was used, cleaned and stored. A device that appears to be in perfect condition is therefore no guarantee that its material has not previously been affected by unsuitable handling.
The unknown history of the device is one of the important reasons why we do not recommend sharing, lending or buying a second-hand Aniball.
What should I do with my Aniball after giving birth?
If you would like to “pass on” your Aniball, consider passing on your experience instead.
Tell a friend what training taught you, what surprised you, how you learnt to work with pressure, breathing and conscious pelvic floor relaxation, or what you wish you had known before your first training session.
Your personal experience may ultimately be much more valuable to another woman than a used device. ♡
Frequently asked questions
Can I use an Aniball that belonged to a friend or sister?
We do not recommend it. Aniball is an intimate medical device intended for a single user.
Can I buy a used or second-hand Aniball?
We do not recommend using a second-hand Aniball. In addition to hygiene considerations, you cannot reliably verify the device’s history, including how it was used, cleaned and stored or which lubricants were used with it.
If I clean or disinfect a used Aniball, can another woman use it?
No. The recommended cleaning procedures are intended for the care of an Aniball during use by a single user. Cleaning or disinfecting a used Aniball does not make it a device intended for use by another woman.
Which lubricant should I use with Aniball?
Use a suitable water-based lubricant and follow the current Instructions for Use. Avoid oils and oil-based products.
More information about the proper care of your Aniball and its lifespan can also be found in our frequently asked questions about using Aniball.
Do you have your own Aniball? Learn how to use Aniball correctly, including the basic principles of training, caring for your device and following the current Instructions for Use.
