Learn about the origins of POP Dildo, formerly known as the Semenette, an award-winning ejaculating dildo with patented squirting technology that's received high praise from the transgender community as well as from those with gender dysphoria, men with ED and disabilities and folks in the kink and fetish community! In this blog, POP! Dildo founder Stephanie "Spermin" Berman takes you on the journey of POP from its humble beginnings to where it's at today.

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Hello all! Allow me to take a moment to introduce myself as you delve into my first guest blog for The Pleasure Chest! My name is Stephanie “Spermin” Berman. How does one get a nickname such as “Spermin Berman” you might ask? Well, let me tell you.

The Humble Origins of the POP Ejaculating Dildo & its Founder

Before getting into the glorious world of sex toys, I had previously spent 15 years of my career working for my family business which specialized in the distribution of devices used for women’s reproductive health...think IVF, IUI, and basically all the clinical ways of trying to conceive. During that time, I learned a lot about conception and at the ripe age of 22, I was quickly gaining a wealth of knowledge about sperm. For most of my life, people thought my family owned a sperm bank (which we didn’t) however, I leaned into that and the nickname “Spermin Berman” would end up sticking with me forever. Fun fact, my business card is in the shape of a sperm. I REALLY leaned into it!

It was during my career in the family business when my wife and I got married and started looking more closely at all of the options available for conception. Despite having access and knowledge about all of the options for us, we were still not feeling very enthused and as the non carrying partner, I was feeling very discouraged. The expense and invasiveness of IVF was something I knew all too well and I knew that was not the right option for us. I really wanted to be more “hands on” and part of the conception process. So what were our options? Well, it was either a turkey baster or a needleless syringe. Yup. That’s about all that existed.

So, I started tapping into my resources and knowledge within the reproductive health industry and started thinking about how heterosexual couples conceive and how often people use sex toys in the bedroom. The more I thought about it, the more I realized there was a solution right in front of me… it just didn’t exist quite yet (which was also quite a shock to me). Don’t get me wrong, I found some squirting dildos but the quality, materials used and function were not up to the necessary standard when it came to something as sensitive as conceiving. More research was done, drawings, networking, all of the things to bring my vision to life. Even a prototype made in my house happened (that’s a story in itself). After about a year of prototyping, l finally had the end result I was seeking. And it was with that final prototype that my wife and I conceived our first child. I knew the product was solid, but that moment when you realize it actually worked and you’re about to have your first child… that is something I will never forget and it was at this moment when it all changed for me.

When The Semenette was launched in the industry in 2014, it was met with open arms. I had absolutely NO idea that “ejaculating dildo” was one of the highest searched terms on google. Apparently, there were many other folks seeking this product. Men with disabilities, those that experience erectile dysfunction, women with vaginal dryness seeking a self lubricator, serodiscordant couples, etc… the list went on. And those were just the “medical” aspects of the toy that it was solving. We hadn’t even touched upon the fact that there was a whole pleasure aspect to the product! Folks who participate in kink and fetish play, pegging enthusiasts, and even just using the product to shoot your favorite body safe hybrid lube, warm water, or other fluids, it was incredible to see how needed this product was.

It has been quite a journey for me personally and professionally when it comes to this product. It’s not easy being an entrepreneur. Add the fact that I am an LGBTQ+, women owned and operated business in what used to be a very male dominated industry, it has been challenging at best. I’ve been met with a lot of hurdles and road blocks, but also many wins and successes. In 2017, the product won its first AVN Award (the Oscars of the adult industry) for Best Pleasure Product Manufacturer. It was a huge moment for me!! And to top that off, in 2017, my second child was born compliments of POP. It was a big year for me!

Like all good things, there are hard times as well. And I fell on those in 2018. Essentially, I had grown too much too fast and could not keep up. I had no other solution and had to take a step back to reassess which also meant taking POP off of the market. During my time away, the fire to bring POP back may have been dulled but it was never gone. And after doors closed and disappointments happened, there’s always that one moment where it can change and that was the hope I held onto. I believed in my product and I knew it was necessary. It was that fire and belief that got me to where I am today. I am so proud that I have been acquired by luxury lifestyle brand,  Tantus, and am BEYOND excited to be sharing with you a whole new line of POP products!

I knew in order to grow the company I had to make some changes and I have full trust in  Tantus to take Pop to the next level and beyond. What’s even better is that I will continue to remain on staff as Founder of Pop Dildo and Director of Product Development, which means I will have my hand in every product and decision made for the brand. All of our products will be made with Tantus’ proprietary ultra premium silicone and incorporate our patented PT3 (POP Tubing and Tip Technology). There will be 3 different styles which I am so happy to share. We have POP Slim, the smallest and sleekest of our offerings, POP Dildo, the remake of the original, and POP n’ Play, which is my true pride and joy. POP n’ Play is the first of its kind to be a packer that can go right into play AND ejaculate.

POP Slim is 5.5 inches of insertable length and 3.5 inches of circumference (girth). It’s small, sleek, slim and ideal for beginners just getting started with harness compatible strap-on dildos.

The POP Ejaculating Dildo is larger in length, coming in at 7.5 inches of insertable length and 4.75 inches of circumference (girth), and offers a more pronounced large bulb head and texture on the shaft for additional G-spot and P-spot pleasure.!

POP ‘n’ Play is the first ever dual-density ejaculating packer. Thanks to Tantus’s incredible medical-grade silicone, POP created a dual-density packer that is able to be packed with your chosen fluid and equipped for harness strap on use right away when the moment arises. POP ‘n’ Play offers 5 full inches in total length with 4.25 inches of insertable length and 4 inches of circumference (girth) supporting its larger bulb.

Every decision for our products is made with the utmost thought, intent and attention. That is something I have and will never compromise on. As they say, "I'm not only the president, I’m also a client." And as someone who has used this product in the most personal way possible, I will never compromise the quality of what I provide and stand behind. And as I sit here and write this, it truly makes me emotional to relive my story and also so grateful to be able to share it with you all. There was no way I could let such a stellar nickname like “Spermin Berman” go to waste. And I assure you, I plan to take this new opportunity and continue to push the envelope by bringing innovative, provocative and cutting edge products to the market... some of which can even get you pregnant.

For more information, please visit my website, www.popdildo.com and please feel free to reach out to me directly for any questions, comments, feedback or useless tips about sperm.

With gratitude,

Stephanie Berman aka “Spermin’ Berman”

Stephanie Berman started working in the women’s reproductive health industry in 2003. As co-owner and Vice President of her family business, Stephanie gained extensive knowledge and understanding of the women’s reproductive health market. It was a dream of Stephanie’s to create a product that uses the highest technology in home insemination but does not require a doctor. Her idea for The Semenette was the perfect marriage of those two concepts, allowing women and couples access to an amazing product and giving them the opportunity to try and get pregnant in the privacy of their own home. In 2013, Stephanie’s product vision helped her and her partner conceive their daughter, and that was when The Semenette truly came to life.

As the product gained national media attention, Stephanie learned that there were many other communities seeking a high quality squirting dildo. As the demand grew, the product continued to evolve and in 2015, Stephanie rebranded and relaunched, POP Dildo. In 2016, Stephanie and her partner conceived their second child with the product.

Stephanie and POP have been awarded many accolades in the adult industry including nominations for LGBT Company of the Year and Best Couples Pleasure Product. In 2017, Stephanie won her first AVN Award for Best Pleasure Product Manufacturer. After spending the last 9 years working on her product, she has continued to focus on education within the LGBTQIA+ communities and is dedicated to creating more products to underserved demographics. POP Dildo has received high praise from the transgender community, folks with gender dysphoria, men with ED and disabilities, folks engaging in kink/fetish and pegging, as well as those just looking to have some extra added fun.

In 2020, POP Dildo was acquired by the luxury brand, Tantus, and Stephanie has joined their team to relaunch several new products for the POP by Tantus line. Tantus was the ideal partner for POP as the brand's new mission statement and core values align perfectly. Stephanie will focus her efforts on education, marketing, sales and product development for both Tantus and POP.