PLEASURE AND PAIN
Are you guilty of making this dangerous sex toy mistake? Experts warn of 4 risks from UTIs to salmonella and hepatitis
Read on for a step-by-step guide on how to clean your sex toys
WITH Valentine's Day just round the corner, you might be looking for ways to spice it up in the bedroom.
If these efforts involve a sex toy or two, listen up - as a common mistake could be putting you at risk nasty infections, from UTIs and STIs to salmonella.
1
Be honest - how often do you wash your toys after using them?
You might think reusing your gadgets without sanitising them in between is no biggie. It's your body, after all.
But sexual health doctor has warned that your night of pleasure may end in pain if you skip this important step.
It comes as found that one in seven people have never cleaned their sex toys.
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Dr Lee said: “Good hygiene is paramount in terms of putting objects inside the vagina or the rectum.
"Bacteria such as salmonella, shigella, E. Coli, and campylobacter can all be spread via the use of sex toys, as can , B, and C, chlamydia, and gonorrhoea."
You might be thinking that salmonella and E. Coli bacteria are usually linked to food poisoning.
While this is certainly the case, intimate items like sex toys can serve as hubs for the germs if you don't give them a good scrub between uses - meaning you risk spreading them to yourself or your partners.
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Dr Lee explained: "These bacteria, typically associated with gastrointestinal issues, can be transferred to sex toys through contact with the anal area or contaminated hands.
"When these toys are then used without proper cleaning, the bacteria can be introduced to other body parts, potentially causing infections.
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"If you don’t follow advice, you risk traumatising the genital area, damaging your genital tissues, or developing an infection or an allergic reaction," the sexpert warned.
The 4 hidden dangers of dirty devices
While sex toys themselves won't land you with a sexually transmitted infection (STI), they can spread them as well as other nasty illnesses.
Failing to clean your vibrators, dildos or butt plugs could leave you with the following infections.
1. Urinary tract infections
Bacteria from dirty toys can enter the urethra, causing painful and potentially serious UTIs.
These can become evident through pain or a burning sensation when you wee, cloudy or bloody-looking pee, tummy pain and a high temperature.
2. Yeast infections
Unclean toys can disrupt the delicate balance of vaginal flora, leading to uncomfortable yeast overgrowth.
This can result in a dreaded yeast infection, causing burning, itching, redness in your vulva - the outside parts of your vagina - and thicker vaginal discharge.
3. Bacterial vaginosis
Harmful bacteria can upset the vaginal ecosystem, resulting in this common infection that's characterised by fishy-smelling, watery and greyish-white discharge.
While BV is not an STI, it can increase your risk of getting chlamydia.
4. STIs
Dirty toys may spread the infections between partners or reinfect you after you've been treated.
Aside from chlamydia and gonorrhoea, you may also catch a common STI called human papillomavirus (HPV), which spreads though sexual contact, unwashed sex toys and kissing.
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The virus won't cause problems in most people but it can cause genital warts and changes to cells that can sometimes turn into cancer.
Research published in the Journal of Sexually Transmitted Infections found that HPV could persist on sex toy surfaces for up to 24 hours without proper cleaning.
Toy cleaning dos and don'ts
To combat risk of infection and make sure your toys don't become bacterial hubs, here's how to keep them clean:
- DO wash your toy after every use to prevent the spread of bacteria and avoid infections such as UTIs, fungal infections, and bacterial vaginosis
- DON'T put your toy in the dishwasher as it's unhygienic and you may damage electrical components
- DO check if your vibrator is waterproof - "water resistant" or "splash proof" products aren't fully waterproof but can handle some water exposure, while "waterproof" vibrators, typically made of silicone, can be cleaned with water for longer periods
- DO let it fully air dry on a clean paper towel before using and leave battery case open while drying if battery-operated
- DON'T store just anywhere - use the fabric pouch, case, or box provided, or use a sealable pouch to prevent dust buildup
Here's your how-to guide to cleaning your sex toys
Remove any batteries before cleaning your vibrator
If you have a “water-resistant” or “splash-proof” vibrator, use a damp, soapy washcloth to clean it.
Apply antibacterial soap to the cloth, submerge it in water, and scrub for 20 seconds.
Avoid fully submerging the vibrator or running it under the tap.
You can also use a soft toothbrush dedicated to this purpose to clean any grooves or crevices.
For “waterproof” vibrators, follow the same process but can scrub for up to two minutes.
Again, avoid submerging or running it under the tap.
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