Science supports these studies. A woman’s sexual response mechanism in her brain comprises two parts: the Sexual Excitation System, or SES, and the Sexual Inhibition System, or SIS. The SES acts as a woman’s sexual accelerator and responds to the things we see, hear, smell, touch, taste or imagine that we deem “sexy.” The SIS, on the other hand, responds to those things that are perceived as a “potential threat,” including unwanted pregnancy, relationship issues and negative body self-image. Sex toys improve orgasms by turning on all the “ons” and eliminating all the “offs.”
However, when it comes to sex toys, cleanliness is of the essence because where unwanted pregnancy and other sexual “offs” are eliminated, there are other dangers involved that we should be aware of.
Sex Toys Carry Diseases
No, you won’t have to worry about an unwanted pregnancy while using a vibrator, but adult novelties can carry sexually transmitted diseases and blood-borne infections when shared, and if not cleaned properly, can cause other infections. Sex toys have been known to pass on diseases like chlamydia, syphilis, herpes, hepatitis B and C and HIV when not properly cleaned and maintained.
There is also an increased risk of developing bacterial vaginosis in women who have female sexual partners who have a history of sharing sex toys or whose partners have bacterial vaginosis. Because of this, Planned Parenthood and other organizations recommend using condoms on your sex toys to keep them clean.
The Journal of Sexually Transmitted Infections found that men and women may be at risk for spreading human papillomavirus (HPV) by sharing sex toys, even after they are properly cleaned. HPV, a common STD that is linked to cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus and penis, was found on the studied toys, regardless of material -- both before and after cleaning.