Lorals
| Lorals | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Industry | Health and wellness; Sexual health |
| Founded | 2018 |
| Founder | Melanie Cristol |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Products | STI‑protective latex underwear |
| Website | mylorals.com |
Lorals is a brand of latex underwear designed for use during oral sex.[1][2] In 2022, Lorals received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for protection against sexually transmitted infections during cunnilingus and anilingus.[1][2]
Products and FDA clearance
[edit]Lorals, invented by Los Angeles-based attorney Melanie Cristol,[3][4] launched in 2018.[5] Media coverage has described the product as being used during oral sex in situations involving menstruation, self-consciousness, facial hair, and sensitivity.[6][7]
In 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted Lorals 510(k) clearance to market the STI protection products as Class II medical devices.[8] According to the FDA summary, the devices act as a physical barrier "to reduce the risk of STI transmission during oral-anal and oral-vaginal contact."[8] The company holds U.S. and international design and utility patents covering the products.[9][10][11]
Business and operations
[edit]Lorals is certified as a women-owned, LGBTQ-owned, and disability-owned business enterprise.[12] The company distributes its products internationally and produces videos related to sexual health.[13][14]
Recognition
[edit]The products have been photographed in Playboy[15] and are visible in adult films. Lorals has received a PopSugar Wellness Award[16] and was a finalist for Fast Company World Changing Ideas.[17] Jeanne Marrazzo, later Director of NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), told The New York Times that Lorals "basically eroticized protection, which is something that condom companies have struggled with for years."[1]
External links
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 3 Belluck, Pam (May 12, 2022). "F.D.A. Authorizes Underwear to Protect Against Infections". New York Times. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
- 1 2 Pedersen, Amanda (May 13, 2022). "FDA Gets Down with Vanilla-Flavored STI Undies". Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry Online. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
- ↑ "Gaingels 100 (2024): Melanie Cristol". Gaingels. 2024. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
- ↑ "LA Times Studios Inspirational Women Forum & Leadership Awards: Melanie Cristol". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
- ↑ Takahashi, Dean (March 6, 2018). "Lorals used tech to craft oral sex lingerie for women". VentureBeat. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
- ↑ Segran, Elizabeth (March 6, 2018). "This Lingerie Brand Has A Feel-Good Plan To Close The Orgasm Gap For Women". Fast Company. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
- ↑ Kassel, Gabrielle (October 21, 2025). "I Tried the FDA-Cleared Underwear for Protection Against STI-Transmission During Oral Sex". The Skimm. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
- 1 2 "510(k) Premarket Notification Database: Lorals for Protection". U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
- ↑ US D883612, Melanie Cristol, "Garment", published 2020-05-12, assigned to Brazen Goods Inc.
- ↑ EP Granted 3270839, Melanie Cristol, "Barrier Garment", assigned to Brazen Goods Inc.
- ↑ US 11007683, Melanie Cristol, "Barrier Garment", published 2021-05-18, assigned to Brazen Goods Inc.
- ↑ "Embracing Intimacy: The Journey of Lorals with Melanie Cristol". Chronicle Journal. August 29, 2024. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
- ↑ Lee Kantor (August 30, 2024). "How Melanie Cristol is Revolutionizing Women's Intimacy with Lorals". Business RadioX (Podcast). Business RadioX.
- ↑ "Melanie Cristol – Founder & CEO of Lorals". melaniecristol.com. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
- ↑ Barrett-Ibarria, Sofia (November–December 2018). "Hot Dam: Why the most overlooked prophylactic may finally make a dent in bedrooms across America". Playboy.
- ↑ Mazzo, Lauren (2023). "2023 Wellness Awards: Best Safer-Sex Barrier". PopSugar. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
- ↑ Wilson, Mark (May 2, 2023). "19 products designed to improve your life—and the world". Fast Company. Retrieved November 17, 2025.