All you Should Know About Sex Toys and STIs

sex toy

Are Sex Toys Safe?

Sexually Transmitted Infections are usually transmitted through sexual activities, and sharing sex toys is one of such. They also spread via bodily fluids and through skin-to-skin contact. When pre-cum, vaginal secretions, blood, semen, or other bodily fluids with a fluid-borne STI gets on a sex toy, then comes in contact with the mucus membranes of another, they can contract the infection. Herpes, yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, yeast, and UTIs are common conditions that spread through sex toys. Individuals can also infect themselves through sex toys. For instance, using a sex toy in your butt and inserting it into your vagina or around your penile opening can get you infected. This is because objects that go into the butt are likely to have some fecal residue on them and transmit hepatitis A, B, and C, parasites like Giardia lamblia, intestinal amoebas, bacteria such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, Shigella, and E. coli.

Porous and Nonporous Sex Toys

Sex toys that are made out of porous materials have little tiny microscopic holes that can hold onto bacteria, soap, dust, and perfume even after cleaning them. Sadly, even soap and water with the best of washing can’t get porous sex toys completely clean. Porous sex toys are usually made of thermoplastic rubber (TPR), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), latex, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and jelly rubber.

Nonporous sex toys, on the other hand, can be completely cleaned. They`re usually made of silicone, pyrex, ABS plastic, stainless steel, and glass. Even though you`re advised not to share sex toys, however, ensure they`re non-porous, so you can wash after one person uses them. You can also put a condom over the toy when each person uses it. Latex, polyurethane, or polyisoprene condoms are usually the best to use on sex toys. Contrary to popular opinion, condoms made from animal skin don’t protect against STIs.

How to Clean Sex Toys

We can`t overemphasize the importance of washing sex toys. This, to a large extent, will prevent you from contracting STIs. What`s more? The materials your sex toys are made of determine how you should wash them. We`ll take a look at some common sex toy materials and how to wash them.

  • Silicone nonporous motorized: Wash with warm water and soap.
  • Non-motorized: Wash with boiling water, and never use silicone-based lube.
  • Glass and stainless steel nonporous: Wash with boiling water and soap. Because glass can be sensitive to temperature changes, let it cool after washing.
  • Pyrex and ABS plastic nonporous: Wash with warm water and soap

5 Benefits of Using Sex Toys

Sexual Satisfaction

romanceThe more you explore your body and experiment with sex toys, the more likely you are to know how to get sexual pleasure alone or with a partner. More women report getting more sexual satisfaction with men who use sex toys than those who don`t.

Boosts Body Confidence

Sex toys will help you understand your body better, and as a result, appreciate it more.  With sex toys, you can experiment with various stimulation areas and sensations, and know how to enjoy sex better with your partner, because you can communicate more confidently how your body works sexually.

Alleviates Sexual Dysfunction

Both women and men can suffer from sexual dysfunction, and sex toys can come in handy. Masturbating with sex toys particularly deal with erectile dysfunction and performance anxiety. These toys also help couples reach orgasm faster than they would have on their own. This does not only help them physiologically but psychologically also.

Relationship Satisfaction

Couples who bring in variety in the bedroom have higher chances of remaining together long-term and are more likely to be honest about their desires. Using sex toys has tendencies to eliminate boredom and improve couples`sexuality.

Improves Sleep

Peach Juice: Benefits and Side EffectsSex and masturbation are great at combatting insomnia and restlessness. They particularly release oxytocin and endorphins. People who use sex toys enjoy better sleep after including masturbation into their nighttime routine.

Some Tips on Using Sex Toys

  • Many sex toys are water-resistant, not water-proof, so avoid submerging them underwater.
  • Use gentle and nonscented soap to wash your sex toys, as some products could irritate your genitals.
  • Don’t wash sex toys with detergent.
  • There are sex toy cleaners you can use to wash your toys. Those are best suited for it.
  • Dry your sex toys after every wash to avoid bacteria build-up.
  • You may wipe your sex toys with a clean towel after each wash or leave them to air dry.
  • If your sex toys come with satin stowaway pouches, keep them in the pouches to prevent dust and debris from touching them.
  • That bag will protect the toy from collecting dust, debris, and animal fur between uses.
  • Don’t have a special sex toy pouch?
  • Even if a toy has already been washed your toy after the last use, you may still wash it before the next use.
  • Doing so can stop your dog fur from getting all up in your bits!
  • Seek your partner`s consent before sharing toys with them.
  • Most STIs are asymptomatic, so get tested at least once a year, and every time you`re about to change partners.
  • Sharing a sex toy with a man can lead to pregnancy if he ejaculates on it.
  • If your sex toy has rechargeable batteries, always make sure that it is completely dry before plugging it.

STI Facts you Should Know

  • The origins of STIs/STDs are unknown. Some researchers posit that microbes adapted themselves to affect the human genital area, while some claim that they are from animals.
  • Curable STIs/STDs are usually bacterial, some of which are gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and trichomoniasis.
  • Anyone can contract STIs without having intercourse; intimate bodily rubbing and shared bodily fluids can be transmission mediums.
  • STIs often cause obvious symptoms that should alert affected persons that they have been infected, however, many remain unaware, usually because these symptoms are common with other regular conditions.
  • STIs can infect many areas of the body such as the genital and anal area, as well as the mouth and throat.
  • STIs are caused by microscopic organisms such as viruses, parasites, or bacteria.
  • More than half of sexually active people will contract an STI at some point in their lives.
  • There are about 40,000 new HIV infections in the United States every year.
  • Donovanosis is a rare sexually transmitted disease in which small, painless nodules appear after 10-40 days, and if left untreated, can destroy penile tissue.
  • Viral STIs/STDs like HPV cannot be cured, however, the body can clear it.
  • While some STIs/STDs such as syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea are curable, others, if left untreated, can cause infertility, chronic pain, severe birth defects, miscarriages, and death.
  • HPV is the fastest growing STI in the United States.
  • Over 180 million cases of trichomoniasis occur worldwide each year.
  • In the United States alone, it is estimated that there are 7.4 million new cases of trichomoniasis each year.
  • Chlamydia is only found only in human cells, although it manifests unusual plant-like traits.
  • There are about 700,000 new cases of gonorrhea in the United States each year.
  • The CDC estimates that 20 million Americans are currently infected with HPV.
  • HPV causes most cases of cervical cancer and genital warts.
  • About 1,700 new cases of new HIV/AIDs infections occur in South Africa every day.
  • Women and their children are at higher risk of long-lasting consequences of STIs/STDs than men are.