Can Sex Toys Cause Yeast Infection?

What Causes a Yeast Infection?

Most infections are caused by germs in the body; in this case, we will discuss yeast infections. A yeast infection is a fungal infection that primarily attacks women; it is the overgrowth of the yeast Candida Albicans, which lives naturally on the body, called candidiasis. It causes severe itching, burning, and irritation of the vulva and the vaginal opening. It causes thick, white vaginal discharge, which can smell different from usual.

Candida is not an STD! Still, around ¾ of the female population can or will suffer from this infection at some point in their lives. Sometimes, young pre-puberty girls get Candida, and often, before they get their period, the Candida production increases; pregnant women are likely to develop a yeast infection. The yeast infection occurs because of a change in the natural PH levels of the vagina.

There isn’t much information about why and how it appears. Some researchers connect it to unsafe sex, but it is also common in persons who have compromised immune systems, and their bodies can spontaneously develop the infection. The Candida fungi or their spores can live on many surfaces for a prolonged period. Thus, you can quickly note the possibility of transferring the fungi to sensitive and gentle areas and causing the infection.

Sex Toy Materials & Yeast Infections

The material of the sex toy plays a role in the possible transference of Candida. It relates to the surface of the material – if the surface is smooth and non-porous, there is no way for the germs to remain and cause further infection. However, if you use a sex toy made from porous materials, the tiny pores can capture germs and cause later infections.

That is why we always recommend you use sex toys that are made from body-safe, non-porous materials like silicone, glass, or stainless steel, as these are easier to clean. Some can be washed in the dishwasher and thoroughly disinfected.

Try to stay from the cheapest materials, like jelly and low-grade TPE, as these are porous materials. It won’t matter how much you clean them, as the surface pores can be a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and yeasts.

Clean Sex Toys Before and After Use

If a person has a yeast infection and uses a sex toy, the infection can be transmitted to the toy’s surface and stay there for a long time if the toy is not cleaned correctly. That is why we always recommend you wash your sex toys thoroughly and make sure to do occasional deep sanitizations to ensure you remove all residue from their surfaces and avoid spreading any possible germs. While you can use soap and warm water for most materials, many sex toy cleaning products provide an extra level of disinfection of your sex toys.

The safe storage of sex toys is another important thing you should note. Sticking your toy in a bedside drawer makes it easy to have it within easy reach. However, this is not very advisable, as you can unknowingly transfer germs to the storage area where you keep your sex toys. We always recommend you use suitable sex toy storage bags that you can occasionally wash and disinfect. Please note that you should not store different sex toy materials together: always read the product description to learn how to clean and store your particular sex toy.

Because a yeast infection can get transferred from one person to another, we always recommend you not share your sex toys with other people.

Can a Vibrator Cause a Yeast Infection?

Vibrators are the sex toys that women mostly use, and yeast infection is the most common infection of the vagina. While the vibrator itself is not likely to cause a yeast infection, it can be the cause of infection if the vibrator is not cleaned correctly.

Vibrators that are not correctly stored or cleaned can be the reason for infection, and they can catch and transmit bacteria and fungi spores on their surface, so be careful with your toys and body. Clean your sex toys following the manufacturer’s instructions and ensure you store them in a clean place.

Can a Dildo Cause a Yeast Infection?

The dildo, like other sex toys, can’t cause a yeast infection by itself, as fungi cause yeast infection. However, unsafe storage and improper cleaning can cause the transfer of the Candida fungus and cause a yeast infection. So, again, please be mindful of cleaning your dildo after and before use and storing it in a clean environment.

We have covered the essential relationship between sex toys and yeast infections, so please keep in mind to always use clean sex toys and wash and disinfect them after use. We have other helpful guides below, but we also carry various sex toys, sex toy cleaners, and various safe sex toy storage options.