Sex toys: hygiene, sharing and STI risks

Can a sex toy transmit an STI?

Yes, if it goes from one person to another without protection or cleaning. A dildo or plug coming out of an anus carries secretions, sometimes blood: it can pass on gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis, HPV, shigella and above all hepatitis B and C. Hépatites Info Service says so explicitly: shared, undisinfected toys transmit hepatitis viruses.

A toy used by only one person carries no STI risk.

Simple rules

CATIE recommends putting condoms on toys and not sharing them unprotected. In practice:

1. A new condom per partner on every shared toy, and change it too when the toy goes from anus to mouth.
2. One toy per person where possible, especially in group sex.
3. Clean after every use: hot water and mild soap, or a toy cleaner; rinse and dry well. Sexosafe advises disinfecting toys after sex in a chemsex context.
4. Compatible lube: water-based for silicone toys (silicone lube can damage them), water or silicone with condoms (lube guide).

Material matters

• Non-porous (medical silicone, glass, stainless steel, ABS): easy to clean, some can be boiled (check the instructions).
• Porous (jelly, TPE/TPR, rubber, leather, wood): they trap bacteria and viruses in micro-pores and can never really be disinfected. Always under a condom, and kept for one person.

Special toys

• Urethral sounds: Sexosafe insists on triple disinfection (sound, glans, hands) and sterile lube; never an improvised object.
• Big toys and stretching: plenty of lube, go slowly, stop if it hurts (see fisting).
• Electric toys: don’t submerge them unless they’re waterproof.

Storage

Each toy in its own pouch, away from dust, with no contact between different materials (some degrade against others). Throw away a cracked or sticky toy: cracks harbour germs.