ASK THE DOC: Can sex toys cause bacterial infections?

Q: My partner and I have been together for almost 9 years.  About 4 years ago we bought some sex toys (made from latex rubber) to spice up our sex life.  At first we were pretty good about washing them, wrapping them in a towel and storing them in our closet.  Over time I guess we got a little lazy/careless with our thoroughness of cleaning them and also began storing them under our bathroom sink.  There's where the trouble began.  I'm the only person the sex toys have been used on (I'm the bottom in our relationship, while my boyfriend only tops).  But over the past 2 years he has contracted 3 nasty bacterial infections that really seem painful for him, while I have remained symptom-less (though I do have an occasional light tingling sensation in my anus which I thought was from spicy food).  Each time we've gone to the clinic, the results have come back negative for chlamydia and gonorrhea. 

We have both been tested for everything and the results always come back negative.  I was wondering if you could share any knowledge with me regarding our situation.  Is it possible to get bacterial infections in the anus from using unsanitary sex toys?   

A:  I am not sure from your question exactly what kind of infection your partner got. If it wasn't gonorrhea or chlamydia, I am assuming he didn't have a syphilis or a herpes outbreak either, which makes me wonder if he had staph abscesses which can be recurrent in some people. If that is the case it may not have anything to do with you, although it's always a good idea to keep your sex toys and your body clean! I hope this is helpful! -- Susan Ball, MD

Comments

[Sex Toys]

You need to make sure to use sex toy cleaners after and before everytime you use your sex toys!

[CHEAP SEX TOYS]

Dr. Ball is right, Going back to basics is the point. After you've had sex with your partner, always take it as a measure to clean all the sex toys you've used all throughout your intercourse. It's not also bad to have some extra dildos and cheap sex toys with you so that you have many options to use and it more safer from bacterial problems.

[Prostate Massager]

Remember hygiene is really important in sexual intercourse specially if sex toys are involve when making love. Before using your precious toys make sure that they are clean and properly sanitize to avoid contacting infection to your private parts.

[Asouma]

Some people have flu-like sytopmms soon after infection, but most people do not. Basically, sytopmms could occur in more cases than people realize, but because the sytopmms are those of the flu, they are not often recognized as being related to HIV. Since the sytopmms are those of the flu, they can easily be dismissed as a simple flu, rather than something more serious. The sytopmms don't scream This is HIV! Some people are infected, but by the time they are tested, they may not connect a prior case of flu with their infection. (But if you get the flu, it does not automatically mean you have HIV!)Most people have no sytopmms of HIV for years, until the immune system has been seriously damaged.

[Yuki]

As you know, the holiday shnopipg season kicked off last Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. And, Consumer Union Safe Shoppers hit the streets. We kicked off our 12 Days of Safe Shopping by holding four simultaneous events in Chicago, Minneapolis, Boston and New York. ()On the 12th day of Safe Shopping CU will be holding a huge event downtown San Francisco. If you would like to join us, email me, Morgan, ([email protected])!Or hold your own event! We have small groups of concerned shoppers all over the country receiving Safe Shopper kits (tee-shirts, stickers, coupon books and our 12 safety tips).In Montana, a local group, the Montana Mamas, is holding an event at a local meeting place, moms, dads and other concerned shoppers will come out and get stickers, coupons, tee-shirts and our 12 safe shopper tips.Would you like to organize an event like them? All you have to do is tell me the details and I will FedEx you a kit for your event. Even if it is getting a group of friends together to go to a local mall, or to hand out at your work or at a house party just let me know ([email protected]). The kit is completely free and we will keep giving them out as long as we have materials. All we ask is that you snap a few photos and let us know how it went!

[Rosi]

A great source of toys onlnie is (google) wooden toys. Many of the companies are in Vermont, use hardwood maple, non-toxic paint, and have websites for onlnie ordering. This is a golden nugget where toys can be found that are beautiful, educational, and fun. Examples are blocks, trains with wooden tracks and trains, pull toys, rattles, and so on.That's' where I went to buy for my littlest friends.

[adult toys]

I suggest use natural or organic sex toys to avoid getting diseases. Better safe than sorry.

[XO Body Magic]

Ive always played it safe.. Always wash after wards and follow the cleaning directions of the sex toys if its included in the purchase. I remember one of my friends got clhamydia from sharing her rabbit vibrator with her lesbian partner when she was infected, didn't work out ok. So use your own in this case!!

[Martin Buuri Kaburia]

Nice forum

[Roy]

Wooden toys? And why would you want to shove a train up in there?

[Roy]

And, who are these “littlest friends”? That makes you sound like you are into children!

[Hatar]

Of course they can, that's why they must be properly cleaned before and after each use.