can you get UTIs and other infections from not cleaning your toys properly?

[itsxafx]

i can't seem to find a straight answer on this elsewhere.

are UTIs and yeast infections/BV likely to be a result of not cleaning your toys properly? i've had a fair few issues recently with UTIs and a possible yeast infection. i only use these toys vaginally.

i'm not the greatest at remembering to clean them between uses and it's the only thing i can think of that's changed since i started having these problems. when i do clean them i use antibacterial hand soap as it's the best thing i could think of.

so, is it possible or likely for sex toys to cause infections if not cleaned properly?

[KierC]

Hey there itsxafx,

UTIs, yeast infections, and BV can be caused by a lot of different things, which is why it’s always a good idea to check with your doctor if you’re having persistent symptoms so a medical professional can help determine which cause it is. That being said, yes, not cleaning toys properly can cause an overgrowth of bacteria that can cause BV, and using toys that are not cleaned properly could also contribute to UTIs. Importantly, though, if your symptoms came back after antibiotics, you should check in with your doctor. Is that something you’re able to do?

Some info on cleaning toys: It’s very important to clean your toys after each use. After you’re done, before you put it away, clean it with either a sex toy-safe soap (important to check the materials of your toy and see if it’s compatible with the soap you’re using so it doesn’t break down the toy), or let it soak in boiling water (careful taking it out — it will be very hot!).