Can I get a fungal infection from a vibrator?

Dear Moldy,  

A mysterious fungus is no fun, that's for sure! The good news is that genital infections and rashes are common and often easily treatable. Visiting a health care professional may be a good first step in helping you identify what’s going on down there and what could have caused it. Although it’s hard to determine whether your vibrator was the culprit this time around, properly cleaning your sex toys can help you be a fun guy without the fungi.  

How can you identify an infection or rash in the genitals?  

Infections are common and can be triggered by things like sexual activity, hygiene, weather, and physical contact with someone with an infection, or yes, your vibrator. That said, it’s also possible that you may be experiencing these symptoms from something completely unrelated—sometimes your body likes to keep you guessing!  

It’s hard to know exactly what you’re dealing with without visiting a health care professional, but some symptoms might help you narrow it down:  

• Penile Yeast Infection – Yeast infections happen when there’s an overgrowth of a fungus called Candida in your genitals. Some symptoms of a penile yeast infection include: 
  • Redness, soreness, or swelling of the penis
  • Cracked foreskin
  • Thick, white discharge under the foreskin
  • Difficulty pulling back the foreskin
  • Itchiness
  • Burning sensation during urination
  • Pain or discomfort during sex
• Tinea Cruris (Jock Itch) - Jock itch is a fungal skin infection that’s usually caused by the same organism that causes athlete’s foot. Jock itch is most common among people who sweat a lot or are in warmer climates. It can also develop in sweat that’s left to sit on old clothes, so you’re at higher risk if you’re stretching out laundry day a little too long. It’s often identified with an itchy, scaly rash in the genitals, upper thighs, and buttocks. 
• Contact Dermatitis – Contact dermatitis is a rash that develops when you’re exposed to materials that you’re allergic to or that irritate your skin. This rash presents differently in different people. However, common symptoms include red, scaly, and tough skin. While this isn’t a fungal infection, it could definitely trick you into thinking it is.  

Can you get an infection from sex toys? 

Yes, you can get an infection from a sex toy, especially if the toy isn’t washed or stored properly between uses. Bacteria from your genitals can live and multiply on your toy and be reintroduced to your body during its next use. This can lead to a potential yeast overgrowth and infection. The bacteria that can grow on sex toys can also cause urinary tract infections (UTIs) and, in people with vaginas, bacterial vaginosis (BV).  

Some sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including hepatitis and scabies, can live outside the body (and therefore, on sex toys) for months. If you’re using a sex toy with a partner—or don’t clean a toy after another person uses it—there’s a risk of STI transmission.  

How can you clean and store sex toys to prevent infection?  

To help prevent an infection, consider cleaning and properly storing your sex toys between each use. When it comes to cleaning, recommendations for how to do so often depend on what the toy is made of:  

• Non-porous toys are made of materials like silicone, hard plastic, and stainless steel. These are easier to clean because fluids and bacteria aren’t able to pass through the surface. Wash these toys with mild soap and water (if a toy has a battery, consider checking if it’s waterproof before cleaning so nothing short-circuits your vibe). Some toys without batteries can even be boiled for one to three minutes to sanitize them.
• Porous toys are made of materials like jelly rubber, PVC, vinyl, and elastomer. These materials have tiny gaps that can harbor fluid and bacteria, making them a bit more difficult to clean. It’s recommended that they’re cleaned with a mild soap and water. They’re also more sensitive to harsh cleaning agents––and can’t be boiled—so you might want to double-check that you're using a mild soap before giving your porous toy a scrub.  

After you’re done cleaning, let your toy fully dry before storing it in a clean pouch. You can also wrap it in fabric, like a bandana, for extra protection. Doing so can help to keep mildew, dust, and other fungi-breeders away.     

What are some health benefits of using vibrating sex toys?  

No need to let this situation kill your vibe—in fact, sex toy use can improve your sexual health in lots of different ways. Toys can be a great way to explore your sexual pleasure and can even treat some sexual dysfunction conditions. There’s some evidence to suggest that vibrators may treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in people with penises. Toys have also been found to increase sexual desire and treat anorgasmia (the inability to orgasm) in people with both penises and vaginas. In people with vaginas who experience dyspareunia (pain during sex), vibrator treatment can be effective in targeting muscle tightness and pain and increasing sexual enjoyment.  

Here’s to keeping your vibes buzzing and your fun fungus-free!