To Play or Not To Play? Sex Toys From a Gynecologist’s Perspective

28 octombrie 2025

2 min de lectură

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Can sex toys be dangerous? Is washing them with soap and water safe enough? Is it possible to harm yourself by using a toy? Let's find out.

Concluzii cheie

Can sex toys be dangerous?
Only for adults
The question of hygiene

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Persoane care explorează Healthy lifestyle prin intermediul man's health, women health.

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Autorul articolului

Dr. Helga

obstetrician-gynecologist

Only for adults

Sex toys are a great way to diversify your intimate life. Scientists from Holland devoted an entire study to them and concluded: people who use vibrators, rings, dildos, and other accessories or devices had improved sex lives. However, used incorrectly, all of these accessories can harm your health. Let’s talk about safety precautions.

The question of hygiene

There is a general rule for using sex toys: they must be washed, disinfected, and kept clean.

It is also important that they are used by only one individual. The toy should be washed before and after use, because even high-tech materials can become a breeding ground for bacteria.
Do not be overzealous and scrub toys with bleach or alcoholic compositions: most likely, this will lead to the destruction of the material and the accessory will become unusable. The safest and most effective way to care for them is to wash them with soap and warm water.
You should be especially careful when using toys for anal sex. The intestines contain a mass of bacteria that can multiply in the environment of the vagina and urethra, so under no circumstances can you use the same device for anal and intervaginal contact.

Size matters

The tissues of the human body are stretchable, but the use of excessively large dildos, anal balls, and other objects can traumatize mucous membranes and lead to microfractures, which can cause infection. You should not choose larger objects for the sake of potential pleasure — plus, sexologists have long been convinced that size is not as important as some people believe.

Extra stimulation

Vacuum or vibration allows you to experience even more pleasure, but many are worried that they can hurt. However, the level of vibration in sex toys is not harmful — even with regular and prolonged use.

Vacuum stimulation is also safe if you do not overdo it and use toys according to the instructions. The flow of blood to the genitals itself is not a threat, but if the power is too high, there is a risk of swelling and painful sensations.

Materials matter

It is very important to know what material the toy is made of because some lubricants, for example, can destroy silicone or latex. Some people have allergic reactions to the latter, so if you have not used latex condoms before, it is worth doing it to make sure that they work for you.

Finally, sex toys sometimes have an expiration date. Don’t use them after they have expired. Materials deteriorate over time, which can lead to their toxicity — regardless of frequency of use.

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