MRI-safe butt plugs are a niche but important topic — one that a 2023 FDA adverse event report brought to widespread attention. The answer to which plugs are safe for MRI isn’t complicated, but it requires understanding which materials interact dangerously with magnetic fields and which don’t.
Part 1. The 2023 FDA Incident: What Actually Happened
In April 2023, a story went viral across Reddit and social media about a patient who entered an MRI machine with a butt plug and was hospitalized as a result. The details, as often happens with viral stories, were embellished significantly as they spread — but the core incident is real and verified through an FDA adverse event report.
🗣️ r/Radiology user: “The patient wrongly believed their butt plug was 100% silicone due to the product’s labeling, only to later find out it had a metallic core.”
The FDA report documents a 22-year-old patient who did not disclose an internal device before an MRI scan. When the scan began, the magnetic field interacted with the metallic components in the toy, causing an adverse event requiring medical attention. The dramatic details circulating on social media — including a specific claim about the toy being “fired” out of the patient like a projectile — were not confirmed in the official report, according to a Snopes fact-check that examined the primary sources.
The real lesson from the incident is not the sensational details. It is the central cause: a product mislabeled as silicone that contained metal components the patient was unaware of. This is a real risk that applies to a broad range of intimate products marketed as body-safe materials without complete disclosure of internal components.
Part 2. Which Materials Are MRI Safe?
MRI safety is fundamentally a question of ferromagnetism — whether a material is attracted to or disturbed by a powerful magnetic field. MRI machines generate magnetic fields typically 10,000 to 30,000 times stronger than the Earth’s magnetic field. Any ferromagnetic metal in that field will be acted upon with significant force.
| Material | MRI Classification | Risk Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pure silicone (no metal) | MR Safe | None | Non-ferromagnetic, non-conductive |
| Borosilicate glass | MR Safe | None | Non-ferromagnetic, no metal components |
| ABS hard plastic | MR Safe | None | Non-ferromagnetic |
| Stainless steel (any grade) | MR Unsafe | Severe | Ferromagnetic — strong interaction with MRI field |
| “Silicone” with metal core | MR Unsafe | Severe | Metal core negates silicone label |
| TPE / TPR | Depends on fillers | Variable | Some contain metal powders for weight — verify |
Pure silicone contains no metal and is non-ferromagnetic. A 100% silicone plug with no internal metal weights or cores is generally considered safe for MRI from a ferromagnetism standpoint. It will not be attracted to the magnetic field or heat significantly during a scan.
Borosilicate glass is also non-ferromagnetic. Glass contains no iron or other magnetic metals. A pure glass plug is generally considered MRI compatible, though some glass toys may include metal decorative elements — always verify the full product construction before making this assumption.
Part 3. How to Tell If Your Plug Has Hidden Metal
The central risk revealed by the 2023 incident is not obvious metal toys — it’s products that appear to be non-metallic but contain hidden metal components. This is a real and widespread issue in the adult toy market, where quality control and material disclosure can be inconsistent.
Common hidden metal elements in anal toys:
- Metal cores or rods for added weight or rigidity
- Metal ball bearings or weighted inserts inside a silicone exterior
- Metal hardware connecting parts of the toy
- Metallic fillers in TPE or TPR to add weight
How to check for hidden metal:
- Read the product description carefully. Look for words like “weighted,” “metal core,” “stainless steel interior,” or “vibrating core with metal components.”
- Check the toy’s weight relative to its size. A plug that feels surprisingly heavy for its volume may contain a metal insert.
- Use a magnet. A small fridge magnet held near the toy can sometimes detect metal cores — if the magnet is attracted, metal is present.
- Contact the manufacturer directly if the materials list is unclear or incomplete.
🗣️ r/BrandNewSentence user: “A 100% silicone butt plug would be perfectly safe for an MRI and probably not even found out.”
Part 4. Understanding MRI Safety Classifications
The formal framework for assessing MRI safety uses three classifications defined by the FDA and ASTM International (the American Society for Testing and Materials). Medical device manufacturers are required to test and label devices using this system — though consumer products, including sex toys, are typically not required to carry these certifications.
| Classification | Definition | What It Means for Sex Toys |
|---|---|---|
| MR Safe | Poses no known hazards in any MRI environment | 100% silicone, 100% glass, ABS plastic toys with no metal components |
| MR Conditional | Safe under specific defined conditions (field strength, SAR, temperature) | Rare for consumer toys — would require specific testing |
| MR Unsafe | Known to pose hazards in MRI environments | Any toy containing ferromagnetic metal (stainless steel, chrome, most metal plugs) |
The absence of MR Safe labeling on a sex toy does not mean the toy is unsafe — it simply means the toy has not been tested and labeled under the medical device framework. You can apply the principles yourself: if the toy is made entirely of non-ferromagnetic materials (pure silicone, glass, ABS), it is likely MR Safe in practice. If it contains any metal, treat it as MR Unsafe.
If you need to undergo an MRI and have any uncertainty about an internal item, the correct action is to disclose it to the MRI technician before the scan begins. MRI technicians are medical professionals trained to handle sensitive disclosures. Disclosing protects your safety — failing to disclose creates risk.
Part 5. MRI-Compatible Plug Options from OopXlab
OopXlab manufactures butt plugs in materials that are non-ferromagnetic and contain no metal components in the relevant products. This section outlines which OopXlab products would typically be considered MRI compatible based on their material composition — and which should not be brought into an MRI environment.
Non-metallic OopXlab options:
The Silicone Butt Plug Set is made from pure silicone with no metal core, weights, or hardware. Silicone in this form is non-ferromagnetic, non-conductive, and is generally regarded as MRI compatible.
The Silicone T-Bar Butt Plug features a silicone body and a T-shaped base — both in non-metallic silicone. The T-bar design provides a secure base without requiring any metal components.
The Glass Butt Plug is made from borosilicate glass, which is non-ferromagnetic and contains no metal. It is generally considered MRI compatible from a materials standpoint.
Not MRI safe:
The Metal Butt Plug Set is made from stainless steel and is explicitly not MRI safe. It should be removed before any MRI scan. This is not a quality issue — it is simply the nature of metal in a magnetic field environment.
FAQ
Can you wear a silicone butt plug in an MRI?
A plug made from 100% pure silicone with no metal components is generally considered MRI safe. Silicone is non-ferromagnetic and non-conductive. However, always verify the complete material composition — some toys marketed as silicone contain hidden metal cores or weighted inserts that make them MR Unsafe. Disclose any internal items to MRI staff before the scan.
What materials are MRI safe?
Materials generally considered MRI safe for internal items include pure silicone (no metal), borosilicate glass, and ABS hard plastic (no metal). Materials that are typically MR Unsafe include stainless steel, chrome, and any ferromagnetic metal. The key factor is whether the material is ferromagnetic — if it can be attracted by a magnet, it poses a risk in an MRI environment.
What happened to the woman with a butt plug in an MRI?
A 2023 FDA adverse event report documented a patient who entered an MRI with an internal toy that was labeled as silicone but contained a metallic core. The patient was hospitalized as a result. The viral social media version of this story contained unconfirmed embellishments, but the core event — injury from an undisclosed metal-containing item in an MRI scanner — is verified.
Are metal butt plugs dangerous in MRI machines?
Yes — metal butt plugs are MR Unsafe. An MRI machine generates a magnetic field tens of thousands of times stronger than Earth’s natural field. Ferromagnetic metals inside that field experience significant attractive and rotational forces. An internal metal object in an MRI can cause severe injury. Metal plugs should always be removed before any MRI scan.
What should you remove before an MRI?
Standard pre-MRI screening requires removing all metal objects. This includes jewelry, piercings, hearing aids, and any toys or devices with metal components. Internal items — including any anal toys — should also be removed and disclosed to the MRI technician before the scan. MRI facilities have screening procedures specifically designed to identify these items.
Can silicone cause MRI artifacts?
Pure silicone can cause minor imaging artifacts in areas immediately surrounding the item — this is a potential imaging quality concern, not a safety concern. If you have a silicone item in your body that cannot be removed (such as a medical implant), the radiologist will account for this in the imaging protocol. For routine sex toy use, removal before any scan is always the recommended approach.