Can using sex toys lead to sexually transmitted diseases?

Dr. Doan Van Loi Em, Head of Clinical Department 3 - Ho Chi Minh City Dermatology Hospital, answers questions related to sex toys.

Doctor Doan Van Loi examines a patient.

How long do sexually transmitted pathogens survive on sex toys?

According to Dr. Loi Em, it is possible to contract sexually transmitted infections (STIs) from sharing sex toys. If two people with different STIs use the same sex toy vaginally or anally without proper hygiene between uses, some STIs may remain on the product for several hours or days (depending on the STI). If pathogens remain on the product, it can be transmitted to the next user within that timeframe. STIs from sex toy use are easily preventable, but it's important to have knowledge about prevention.

So the question is, how long can STI pathogens survive on sex toys? The answer varies greatly, depending on the pathogen. Studies show that the duration of STI pathogens on external surfaces is as follows:

Chlamydia bacteria (Chlamydia trachomatis) survive outside the body for 2-3 hours in a moist environment. Gonorrhea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) survives for about 1 minute. Syphilis (Treponema pallidum) does not survive for long - it dies after the fluid in its secretions dries.

HPV infection rates decrease by 50% after 3 days, but it can survive longer. HIV does not survive long outside the body. Some studies show it dies within hours of exposure to air.

Sexually transmitted diseases can occur if you share sex toys.

A 2012 study in the Netherlands found that sharing sex toys was linked to sexually transmitted infections. Specifically:

Chlamydia is asymptomatic in 90% of women and over 50% of men. Possible symptoms include difficulty urinating (burning, stinging, pain) and urethral discharge (mucus, white, cloudy, or clear).

In 50% of women, gonorrhea presents with symptoms such as vaginitis causing thick, yellowish discharge, itching, and pain during intercourse. In men, there is a yellowish-green, watery discharge in large quantities from the urethra, along with pain, burning, and redness in the urethra.

Syphilis: manifests in various ways, such as genital ulcers and many other skin and mucous membrane manifestations. HPV: causes genital and anal warts.

HIV infection from using sex toys is very rare. HIV can only be transmitted through blood, semen, pre-ejaculatory fluid, rectal fluid, vaginal fluid, etc. However, if a shared sex toy causes a skin tear and bleeding, and the virus is still present, then HIV can still be transmitted.

Additionally, two other sexually transmitted infections to be aware of include: Bacterial vaginosis (BV). BV is an infection associated with symptoms such as abnormal vaginal discharge, vaginal odor, and vaginal burning. BV is not considered a sexually transmitted disease, but it can be transmitted from person to person through the shared use of vaginal sex toys.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are very common infections of the urinary tract, including the urethra, bladder, and kidneys. Sex toys can spread bacteria from the vaginal area into the urethra.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/suc-khoe/dung-sextoy-co-bi-mac-benh-duong-tinh-duc-2023041613563337.htm