Can You Get a UTI From a Vibrator?

The answer to the question “can you get a UTI from a vibrator?” isn’t exactly yes or no — it’s a lot more about how you use it.

Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, after sexual activity are actually quite common in vulva-owners. Since the distance between the vagina and the urethral opening is pretty small, and the urethra itself is quite short, too, we all-too-often find ourselves suffering from the symptoms of an infection down there.

But, is your vibrator the biggest culprit? In short, if you clean it properly and following good hygienic technique, then it’s very unlikely.

That’s not the end of the story, though! Join us as we explore your burning (sorry) questions:

• Can you get a UTI from your vibrator?
• What materials are less likely to cause a UTI?
• How can you avoid getting a UTI from your vibrator?
• How do you know if you have a UTI?
• Can you still use a vibrator if you have a UTI?

Can You Get a UTI From Using a Vibrator?

There’s a little bit to unpack here, so let’s start from the beginning: just using a vibrator won’t automatically give you a UTI.

Yet, it is possible for a vibrator, or other sex toy, to transfer UTI-causing bacteria to you. This is usually if your vibrator is unclean, or has been in contact with someone who has this bacteria.

A common cause of UTIs is bacteria from fecal matter making its way into the urethra, and this can sometimes be caused by vibrators.

Whether it’s a clit vibrator or a g-spot vibrator, it’s likely that it’s going to go near your urethra at some point. So, if you’re not careful, that vibrator could easily pick up bacteria in fecal matter and introduce it to your urethra.

However, it’s easy to avoid this happening! By practicing good personal hygiene and properly cleaning your vibrators, you can stay UTI-free and still enjoy your buzzy buddies.

Materials Make a Difference!

The materials that your vibrator is made from can make a big impact on the likelihood of you catching a UTI from it.

Here at Bedbible, we recommend that you always stick with sex toys made from non-porous materials.

Porous materials, on the other hand, like PVC, jelly, TPE, rubber and SuperSkin, have microscopic holes on their surface that can trap and harbor bacteria and other germs.

Even when you clean porous toys, the bacteria remains in these pores and can cause infections like UTIs, so it’s best to avoid them.

You’re much less likely to get a UTI when using a sex toy made from non-porous materials like silicone, ABS plastic, glass and steel. These materials have a completely closed surface that does not hold onto germs when cleaned.

Two of our favorites are the Doxy Die Cast, an ultra-powerful wand vibrator with a silicone head, and the We-Vibe Tango X, a super rumbly bullet vibrator with a hard ABS plastic shaft for direct, firm stimulation.

How to Prevent Getting UTIs From Your Sex Toys

There are a lot of ways to protect yourself from a UTI when using your vibrator, and many will also help you extend the life of your sex toys!

Choose a Vibrator Made From Non-Porous Materials

We already covered how porous materials can harbor all kinds of nasties in their microscopic pores, so we can be brief with this tip.

When picking a vibrator, choose one made from non-porous materials. These will most often be silicone or ABS plastic, but we have seen glass and metal vibrators out there.

If you have a toy made from porous materials already, or just want to be extra safe, you can cover it with a condom. This will prevent bacteria from entering the pores of the material, and will make it easier to clean.

Clean Your Vibrator Properly

The next vital step is to clean your vibrator properly to rid it of all bacteria and other germs.

You should be cleaning your sex toys after every use, and, ideally, before each use as well!

If your vibrator is waterproof or splashproof, cleaning it is as easy as lathering it up with a mild, unscented soap and water, then rinsing thoroughly and drying. Remember not to submerge it under water if it’s not fully waterproof.

If it’s not waterproof, simply wipe it down with a damp cloth and some mild soap, or use a toy cleaning wipe like these from Lovehoney.

You may have heard about people boiling their sex toys or cleaning them in the dishwasher, too. This can sanitize them further, but should only be done if the toy is made of silicone, glass or metal, and does not contain any electrical parts (i.e. no vibrators!).

Don’t Use a Vibrator Vaginally and Anally

Since a major offender of UTI infections is fecal matter, you should never use a vibrator in both the anus and vagina without cleaning it first!

As the saying goes: “Don’t put it in the b-hole and then the v-hole, or you’ll get a sore pee-hole!”. Yeah, it’s a bit gross, but it’s guaranteed to help you remember!

If you’re craving rumbles in both holes, try pairing your vibrator with a vibrating butt plug instead. Or, you could even try a triple-stimulating rabbit vibrator!

Store Your Vibrator Hygienically

As well as cleaning your vibrator thoroughly, you should also store it correctly between uses.

After all, what’s the point in spending time and effort to clean your vibrator if it’s just going to pick up dirt, dust and germs in your underwear draw?

Many vibrators come with their own storage bags (something we always check for you in our reviews!), which keep them clean and hygienic while you’re not using them.

If your vibe didn’t come with something to store it in, you could store it in its original packaging, salvage one from other appliances around your house, or buy one cheaply from an online sex toy store.

Pee After Using Your Vibrator

It’s likely you’ve heard the tip that you should always pee after sex to prevent a UTI, and that could be true for using a vibrator, too.

The evidence is mixed as to whether this actually works or not, but many physicians recommend peeing after intercourse to flush out the urinary tract.

If you’re going to the bathroom to clean your vibrator anyway, it can’t hurt to pee while you’re there, right?

What Are the Symptoms of a UTI?

Despite our best efforts, we can still get the occasional UTI. They truly suck, but they’re easy to treat — especially if you catch them early.

Possible symptoms of a UTI include:

• Pain or burning when peeing
• Feeling the need to pee frequently
• Feeling the need to pee despite having an empty bladder
• Bloody urine
• Pressure or cramps in the groin or lower abdomen

The CDC recommends that you contact a physician or healthcare professional if you experience UTI symptoms, if you are concerned by any symptom. You will usually be prescribed a course of antibiotics to treat the infection.

Can You Use a Vibrator if You Have a UTI?

First off, having a UTI often puts a dampener on your libido. Just take a look at the list of symptoms and tell me you’d feel like masturbating while experiencing those.

However, it’s probably not the end of the world if you use your vibrator while you’re infected. In fact, using a (clean and non-porous) vibrator when you have a UTI might even be preferable to having penetrative sex with a UTI!

That’s because you’re much less likely to introduce any new bacteria to the area with a clean vibrator, and can also stay away from the areas that are causing you the most pain.

In the end, the choice is yours. But, if you’re in doubt, it may be worth erring on the side of caution and giving self-pleasure a rest for a little while.