If you use sex toys, you can avoid STIs by: keeping sex toys clean – wash them after each use covering penetrative sex toys, such as vibrators, with a new condom each time they're used not sharing sex toys having a different set of sex toys for each partner Sex toys can pass on: <ul> <li><a href="https://www.livehealthily.com/chlamydia">chlamydia</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.livehealthily.com/sexually-transmitted-infections/syphilis">syphilis</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.livehealthily.com/herpes">herpes</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.livehealthily.com/womens-sexual-problems/bacterial-vaginosis#chapter-key-information">bacterial vaginosis</a></li> </ul> There is an increased risk of bacterial vaginosis in women who have sex with women who have a history of sharing sex toys, or whose partners have bacterial vaginosis. ::: body-ad-desktop zones:: 232632,232460,232640 types:: 163 disclaimer:: AD typeFilter:: native_ad adCount:: 1 ::: ::: body-ad-mobile zones:: 232632,232460,232642 types:: 5,163 disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT typeFilter:: display/native_ad adCount:: 1 :::

Avoiding STIs

Don't share any sex toy that may draw blood from the skin, as this type of sex toy can pass on blood-borne infections. Take care when using penetrative sex toys, particularly if there are any cuts or sores around the vagina, anus or penis and blood is present, as there's an increased risk of passing on infections such as: <ul> <li><a href="https://www.livehealthily.com/hepatitis/hepatitis-b">hepatitis B</a> </li> <li><a href="https://www.livehealthily.com/hepatitis/hepatitis-c">hepatitis C</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.livehealthily.com/hiv-aids">HIV</a></li> </ul> ::: body-ad-mobile zones:: 232632,232460,233460 types:: 5 disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT typeFilter:: display adCount:: 1 :::

Avoiding blood-borne infections

How you clean a sex toy depends on: <ul> <li>what the sex toy is made of</li> <li>if the sex toy uses batteries and has parts that cannot be washed</li> </ul> Sex toys bought from a trusted source should come with advice about how to clean and store them. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. For sex toys that can be washed, make sure you wash them thoroughly with warm water and soap after each use. You should also wash them between: <ul> <li>using them on different parts of the body, such as the mouth, vagina and anus</li> <li>one person and another</li> </ul> Check sex toys regularly for any scratches or breaks in the surface material where germs could be present and spread, as this can increase the risk of infection. If you're allergic to latex, do not use sex toys that are made of, or contain, latex. ::: body-ad-mobile zones:: 232632,232460,245869 types:: 5 disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT typeFilter:: display adCount:: 1 :::

Cleaning sex toys

If you need advice or think you may have an infection, you can go to: <ul> <li>your local sexual health clinic</li> <li>your doctor</li> </ul>

Getting advice



## Avoiding STIs
If you use sex toys, you can avoid STIs by:

keeping sex toys clean – wash them after each use
covering penetrative sex toys, such as vibrators, with a new condom each time they're used
not sharing sex toys
having a different set of sex toys for each partner

Sex toys can pass on:

* [chlamydia](https://www.livehealthily.com/chlamydia)
* [syphilis](https://www.livehealthily.com/sexually-transmitted-infections/syphilis)
* [herpes](https://www.livehealthily.com/herpes)
* [bacterial vaginosis](https://www.livehealthily.com/womens-sexual-problems/bacterial-vaginosis#chapter-key-information)

There is an increased risk of bacterial vaginosis in women who have sex with women who have a history of sharing sex toys, or whose partners have bacterial vaginosis.



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## Avoiding blood-borne infections
Don't share any sex toy that may draw blood from the skin, as this type of sex toy can pass on blood-borne infections.

Take care when using penetrative sex toys, particularly if there are any cuts or sores around the vagina, anus or penis and blood is present, as there's an increased risk of passing on infections such as:

* [hepatitis B](https://www.livehealthily.com/hepatitis/hepatitis-b) 
* [hepatitis C](https://www.livehealthily.com/hepatitis/hepatitis-c)
* [HIV](https://www.livehealthily.com/hiv-aids)



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## Cleaning sex toys
How you clean a sex toy depends on:

* what the sex toy is made of
* if the sex toy uses batteries and has parts that cannot be washed

Sex toys bought from a trusted source should come with advice about how to clean and store them. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully.

For sex toys that can be washed, make sure you wash them thoroughly with warm water and soap after each use.

You should also wash them between:

* using them on different parts of the body, such as the mouth, vagina and anus
* one person and another

Check sex toys regularly for any scratches or breaks in the surface material where germs could be present and spread, as this can increase the risk of infection.

If you're allergic to latex, do not use sex toys that are made of, or contain, latex.



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## Getting advice
If you need advice or think you may have an infection, you can go to:

* your local sexual health clinic
* your doctor

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References

Are sex toys safe?

All of Healthily's articles undergo medical safety checks to verify that the information is medically safe. View more details in our <a href="/safety" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">safety page</a>, or read our <a href="/legal/editorial-policy-principles" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">editorial policy</a>.

Article information

Sex toys are safe if you use them responsibly and keep them clean. Learn about using sex toys safely here - using content verified by certified doctors.

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