If this isn’t an STI, what the hell is it…?

Sexual activity runs the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)…duh! But what about other infections? You might be one of the many unlucky souls who gets a UTI every time you have penetrative sex, or maybe you can’t quite kick a persistent bacterial vaginosis (BV) infection. Even though they’re not technically STIs, there’s quite a few infections that go hand in hand with getting laid. Let us spell it out for you, below.

How do I clean my sex toys?

No, you’re not in the wrong article. Proper care for your sex toys is actually a great place to start. Sure, using clean sex toys is practicing good hygiene, but it’s also protecting you against STIs and other vaginal infections like BV and yeast infections. For the same reason (spreading infection and experiencing physical and emotional torment), you should always clean them before using them in different holes.

Appropriate cleaning starts with the material. The packaging and accompanying product information should tell you exactly what the toy is made of, along with cleaning instructions. But in case you already tossed the box, there are some general rules of thumb. If the material is “nonporous” like silicone, stainless steel, and glass, cleaning them can be as straightforward as using soap and water. Any gentle body soap should do the trick. It’s best to avoid harsh soaps and cleansers (like ones containing alcohol) on your silicone toys because they can cause degradation over time. If you want to take cleaning to the next level, you can also boil nonporous, non-motorized sex toys in hot water for 10 minutes. This should kill almost anything.

When it comes to porous materials, you’ll need to stick with soap and water — don’t boil these guys. Porous materials include jelly rubber, thermoplastic elastomers or rubbers (TPE or TPR), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or cyberskin (a combination of silicone and PVC). It’s important to note that porous materials have a higher risk of carrying bacteria at baseline because of their pores, so it’s honestly never a bad idea to add a condom. In fact, when in doubt, just use a condom! It’s not like it’s going to feel different for the toy and you’ll have automatic protection against anything living on its surface.

Why am I getting so many UTIs after sex? How do I stop them?

First of all, if you’re getting UTIs after sex, it’s not your fault. Your urethra (pee hole) is just in front of your vaginal opening, so whenever you have vaginal penetration of any kind, there is rubbing and friction against your urethra. This introduces new bacteria to the area and, if it gets the chance, it can go up through the urethra and into the bladder. No!

There’s a reason everyone tells you to pee after sex — it’s a fabulous way to flush out some of the invading bacteria. However, you can also try some things during sex to lessen the chance of getting a UTI, like reducing friction with plenty of lubrication. Natural lubrication (more foreplay) and store-bought lubricant can both make the journey smoother. You can also experiment with a different position. Whenever partners are facing one another, friction and grinding are at their peak. Consider mixing it up with doggy style or another position that doesn’t put the penis in direct contact with the urethra. And finally, some studies have shown that daily cranberry products can reduce the risk of recurrent UTIs.

Does BV count as an STI?

Technically, BV is not an STI, but it definitely can be passed between sexual partners. Essentially it’s an overgrowth of bad bacteria in the vagina. Grey-ish vaginal discharge that smells fishy, itchiness, and painful urination. Sound familiar? A lot of these symptoms overlap with other STIs, so a doctor will have to make the official diagnosis. Treatment is usually straightforward: Take an antibiotic for a week and go on with your life.

Here’s where the STI line gets blurry. You can pass BV to your partner and vice versa, so you want to wait until you’ve finished your treatment to have penetrative sex again — or use a condom. If you notice symptoms after you finish treatment, or if your partner is having symptoms like burning when they pee or a slight discharge from their penis, go ahead and hit up your doctor again. You may need another round of antibiotics (or a different one), and your partner might need treatment, too.

Can I give him a yeast infection?

This is another infection that isn’t technically an STI, but something that can still spread through sex. Sure, when you’re fighting a yeast infection with thick discharge, vaginal itching and burning, intimacy may not be your top priority. Regardless, it's generally advised to wait until your symptoms have resolved before getting cracked again. Yeast can be transferred to your partner through vaginal and oral sex, so even though it's not as contagious as other STIs, it can still put a damper on your sex life. TL;DR: Even non-STIs happen because of sex.

While we love to share useful and helpful information, the above shouldn’t replace the advice of your healthcare professional. For questions about contraception and other reproductive health issues, please talk to your doctor.