Yes, You Can Get an STD From a Sex Toy. Here’s How

How STDs Survive on Sex Toys

This isn't just about one person finishing and handing over the toy. It's about microscopic tears, leftover fluids, and bacteria that don’t need much help to thrive. Many STDs can live outside the body longer than you’d expect, especially in warm, moist environments like the surface of a dildo or vibrator.

Here’s what the science says:

• Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV): Can survive for several hours on surfaces, especially if there's any moisture or bodily fluids involved.
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV): Studies show HPV can linger on sex toys for up to 24 hours, even after cleaning with mild soap and water.
• Gonorrhea and Chlamydia: These bacteria don’t last as long on surfaces, but transmission has still been documented via shared toys.
• HIV: Rare but possible, especially if there's blood involved or the toy was used between anal and vaginal play.

Even if you don't see fluids, those microscopic traces can be enough. And while the risk varies depending on the material, toy type, and how it's used, the bottom line is clear: the risk exists. And it’s more common than people think.

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What Infections Can Be Transmitted Via Sex Toys?

If you’ve ever passed a toy between partners or used one on yourself after anal or vaginal play without sanitizing, these are the STDs you should be aware of:

• Chlamydia: Can infect the rectum, urethra, and vagina via shared toys, especially if not used with a condom or washed in between.
• Gonorrhea: Can also be transmitted rectally or vaginally through toys used on multiple people without cleaning.
• Herpes (HSV-1 and HSV-2): Easily passed through direct contact with sores, but also via surfaces like toys if used quickly between people.
• HPV: Lives on surfaces longer than you’d expect. Some studies have shown it can survive cleaning with soap alone.
• Syphilis: A bacterial infection that can transmit through open sores, mucous membranes, and shared objects like sex toys.
• HIV: Lower risk, but possible if blood is involved, especially in rougher anal play or during menstruation.

Want to know if you’ve been exposed? Consider using an 6-in-1 STD At-Home Rapid Test Kit to screen for all major infections from home, discreetly and quickly.

How to Clean Sex Toys to Prevent STDs

This part isn’t optional. Sex toys are like kitchen tools, you wouldn’t slice raw chicken, then reuse the knife on a salad, right? The same goes for anything you’re putting inside your body.

Here’s how to actually clean a sex toy the right way:

• Soap and Hot Water: For non-porous toys (silicone, stainless steel, hard plastic), wash with fragrance-free soap and warm water immediately after use.
• Boiling: Some silicone toys can be boiled for 3–5 minutes. Double-check the manufacturer’s instructions; don’t boil anything with motors or batteries.
• Toy Cleaners: Use medical-grade toy cleaners if hot water isn’t available. Antibacterial sprays can help, but they’re not a substitute for a real wash.
• Condom Use: If you’re sharing toys, always use a fresh condom for each person and change it between orifices (vaginal to anal, etc.).
• Dry Thoroughly: Air-dry on a clean surface before storing. Moisture encourages bacteria, and tossing it wet into a drawer is asking for mold.

Porous toys (like jelly rubber, some plastics, or anything cheap and squishy) are harder to clean. These materials can trap bacteria deep inside the surface. If you can't sterilize it, don’t share it. And honestly, consider upgrading to a non-porous toy if you’re using it often.

Let’s Talk About Sex Toy Sharing

Listen, sharing toys isn’t shameful. It’s hot, it’s normal, and it’s common in both monogamous and non-monogamous settings. But shared pleasure needs shared responsibility.

Whether you're swapping toys with a partner, using a dildo on more than one person in a threesome, or exploring anal then vaginal play during the same session, without protection or cleaning, you're creating a superhighway for pathogens.

If you want to keep sharing safely:

• Use condoms on toys, and change them between people or body parts.
• Clean between uses, yes, even mid-session. Wipe it down or rinse with soap and water.
• Get tested regularly if you share toys or partners. It’s not paranoia, it’s self-care.

For comprehensive testing that covers the STDs most commonly spread through toys, check out the Combo STD Home Test Kit.

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Case Story: "I Didn’t Know I Could Get Chlamydia from That"

Maya, 29, shared her story anonymously:

"We were careful. We used condoms for sex. But we didn’t think about the toy. I used it on him, then he used it on me. A week later I had this weird discharge and burning. I tested positive for Chlamydia, and so did he. It never occurred to us that the toy could carry it. I felt stupid, but honestly, no one ever talks about this stuff."

They’re not alone. Stories like Maya’s are more common than you’d think, and exactly why this article exists.

STDs, Sex Toys, and the Numbers That Matter

Let’s get nerdy for a minute, because the stats tell the real story about why this matters.

• A 2016 study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that HPV DNA was still present on silicone sex toys up to 24 hours after use, even after basic cleaning.
• According to the CDC, Chlamydia and Gonorrhea remain the most reported STDs in the U.S., with both capable of rectal, vaginal, and oral transmission, including via contaminated toys.
• 1 in 6 people aged 14–49 in the U.S. has genital herpes, per the CDC, yet most don’t know it. Many transmit the virus unknowingly, including through indirect contact like toys.

So yes, it’s real. The data backs it. And yet, almost no one is talking about it in sex ed or even in most doctor’s offices. That ends here.

When to Get Tested (and What to Test For)

If you’ve shared toys, especially without condoms or cleaning, and notice any of the following, it’s time to test:

• Discharge: Unusual color, smell, or amount from the vagina, anus, or penis
• Burning: While peeing or after play
• Itching or irritation: Particularly after using a toy
• Rectal symptoms: Pain, bleeding, mucus, or discharge from the anus
• Sores or bumps: Genital or anal lesions, even if painless

Some infections, like Chlamydia or HPV, can be completely asymptomatic. That’s why regular screening is smart, especially if you’re in non-monogamous relationships, swapping toys, or just like to explore with partners.

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Why Sex Toy Risks Are Still So Taboo

For all the progress we've made in sexual health, there's still a weird silence around sex toys, especially when it comes to risks. People will talk about condom brands, STI testing, even open relationships before they'll admit they’ve never once cleaned their vibrator. Why?

Because there's a cultural split: sex toys are seen as private, maybe even shameful, and that makes conversations about their safety awkward. But here’s the thing: toys are just tools, and like any tool, they need maintenance. You wouldn’t borrow someone’s toothbrush or razor and not wonder what it might carry, right?

Here’s why people skip safety when it comes to toys:

• Assumed sterility: Many think silicone = safe. But material alone doesn't guarantee cleanliness.
• Feminization of toys: Because sex toys are marketed toward women, the risk discussion often gets minimized or dismissed as “paranoia.”
• Lack of public health messaging: Most sex ed programs don't even mention toys, let alone how to use them safely.
• Shame or embarrassment: Many people feel weird asking their doctor about cleaning routines for a dildo or prostate massager.

This silence isn’t just inconvenient, it’s dangerous. The lack of open, normalized conversation is exactly how STDs like Chlamydia, Herpes, and HPV get passed through “clean” households and committed partnerships.

Talking about this stuff isn’t dirty, it’s health literacy. And if you’re the first in your friend group or bedroom to start that conversation, you're not weird. You're a damn pioneer.

How Toy Design and Materials Affect STD Risk

Not all sex toys are created equal, especially when it comes to safety. The materials, shapes, and finishes of your toys can make a huge difference in how easily they hold onto bacteria and how easy they are to disinfect.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common toy materials, and what they mean for your health:

• Silicone (Non-Porous): High-quality medical-grade silicone is one of the safest materials. It doesn't harbor bacteria if cleaned properly, and it can often be boiled for sterilization. Still, it can pick up lint and residue fast, so clean before and after use.
• Glass (Tempered or Borosilicate): Incredibly body-safe, non-porous, and easy to sanitize. But check for micro-cracks and avoid cheap novelty items.
• Stainless Steel: Durable, non-porous, and fully sterilizable. Popular for anal play and temperature play. Just avoid abrasions that could trap residue.
• ABS Plastic: Non-porous but not as durable as silicone or steel. Can scratch, which creates micro-pockets for bacteria.
• Jelly Rubber / PVC / TPE: These are porous, often cheap, and hard to clean thoroughly. Even with soap, they can hold onto bacteria and viruses.

Then there’s design, and yes, shape matters:

• Textured surfaces (like ridges or realistic veins) are harder to clean and can trap fluid in crevices.
• Multi-part toys (like suction toys or toys with seams) can hide bacteria in connection points.
• Strap-ons and harnesses need cleaning too, especially the inner ring and fabric if it touches skin.

Bottom line? High-quality, non-porous materials paired with smart cleaning and barrier use make all the difference. If you’re investing in your pleasure, invest in safety too.

Check Your STD Status in Minutes

Test at Home with Remedium
7-in-1 STD Test Kit

Claim Your Kit Today

Save 62%

For Men & Women

Results in Minutes

No Lab Needed

Private & Discreet

Order Now $129.00 $343.00

For all 7 tests

FAQs

1. Can you get an STD from a clean sex toy?

If “clean” means rinsed but not sterilized, then yes. Some bacteria and viruses survive soap-and-water washes, especially if the toy is porous or not dried fully.

2. Should you use a condom on a toy even if you're solo?

If you have multiple partners, yes. It reduces cleanup and prevents back-to-back cross-contamination between people, holes, or toys.

3. Can I get herpes from a toy if there’s no visible sore?

Yes. Herpes can be contagious even when no sore is present, this is called asymptomatic shedding.

4. What if I didn’t clean a toy and now I have symptoms?

Don’t blame yourself, just get tested. Start with a reliable at-home kit and follow up with a clinician if needed.

5. Is it safe to share toys in a monogamous relationship?

Mostly, yes, if both partners are STD-free. But cleaning is still essential to avoid other infections like yeast or BV.

6. Are anal toys riskier than vaginal ones?

Yes. Rectal bacteria can be more dangerous if transferred vaginally. Always clean toys or switch condoms between holes.

7. Can you get an STD from using a toy on yourself?

Only if the toy is already contaminated from a previous use, by you or someone else.

8. Do sex toy materials affect STD transmission risk?

Absolutely. Porous toys (like jelly rubber) trap bacteria, while silicone, glass, and steel are safer and easier to clean.

9. Can sex toys spread HPV?

Yes. HPV can survive on sex toys and be transmitted between partners, even if one person has no symptoms.

10. What tests should I take if I shared a toy?

A combo panel covering Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Herpes, and HIV is a great start. Try a Combo STD Home Test Kit for fast answers at home.

Take the Power Back: You Deserve Pleasure Without Panic

You’re not paranoid for asking questions. You’re smart for wanting clarity. Sex toys are part of joyful, creative sex lives, but they come with responsibilities that no one teaches you in high school health class.

If you’ve shared toys or skipped a cleaning and now you’re feeling anxious, take a deep breath. You’re not dirty. You’re not reckless. You’re just ready to take charge.

Get tested, clean smarter, and keep doing what feels good, on your terms.

Sources

1. Healthline – Everything You Need to Know About Sex Toys and STIs

2. Hope Across the Globe – STD Risks from Shared Sex Toys: What You Need to Know

3. ScienceDirect – Case Report: Trichomonas Transmission via Shared Vaginal Dilator (fomite)

4. Planned Parenthood – Can You Get an STD by Masturbating with Objects?

5. AIDSmap – Sex Toys and the Risk of HIV Transmission