Catching SDS From Sex Toys

Q: Can I catch a sexually transmitted disease from my sex toy or from sharing someone else's sex toy?

A: Brace yourself—yes, you can catch a sexually transmitted disease from sharing a sex toy with someone or if you use someone else's sex toy without taking the necessary precautions. However, you cannot catch a sexually transmitted disease from your own sex toy if you do not share it with anyone else. At best you will contract a bacterial infection if you do not clean your sex toy properly. Sexually transmitted diseases are transmitted through the exchange of bodily fluids. Sexual activities that may allow a partner's body fluids into your body include: vaginal sex (penis in vagina), anal sex (penis in anus), oral sex (penis in mouth or tongue in vagina), oral-anal contact (tongue in anus), fingers or sex toys in vagina or anus if the fingers or sex toys have infected bodily fluids on them. The bottom line is that if you exchange bodily fluids with an infected partner, you are very likely to develop a sexually transmitted disease whether it is from a genital to genital/anus, oral to genital/anus, or sextoy/fingers to genital/anus. Note that the risk of catching an STD usually exists for both partners, as the risk of infection runs both ways—either partner may infect the other.

So how do you go about minimizing the risk of contracting STDs from sex toys? Evidently sex toys should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after use, with special attention given to drying the sex toy so that molds or bacterial colonies do not form on the sex toy. It is generally good practice to use a condom if the sex toy is going to be inserted in either the penis or the vagina. If you plan on using the same sex toy for vaginal and anal stimulation, use a new condom for each orifice to minimize the spread of bacteria and the possible development of Hepatitis C. The same applies if you are sharing a sex toy with a partner—new condom for each orifice and for each partner. Another method is to avoiding unsafe sex practices and to focus on non-penetrative sex (such as kissing, massage, mutual masturbation, oral sex without fluid exchange, using vibrators or other non-penetrative sex toys). However, it is always best to be frank with your partners about your sexual past and to have them be frank with you about their sexual past so that you can inform yourselves and find the best way to keep you, your partner(s), and your sex toys STD-free.