Huge Dildo

1. What is a sexually transmitted disease or STD?

Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) is the politically correct term for what used to be called “veneral disease (VD)”. These are diseases that are transmitted through or as the result of sexual activity (not just sexual intercourse).

There are no BDSM specific sexually transmitted diseases but like any other sexual activity BDSM activity CAN spread STDs.

Heterosexuals are a lot less STD aware than the homosexual world is, but they should be just as educated on the subject. As a result, the current risk groups for any STD are heterosexual women.

There are many different sexually transmitted diseases and certainly not all are directly related to the genital organs.

General information is freely and widely available from doctors, hospitals, first aid centers, pharmacies and of course on the Internet.

2. How does one get STD infected?

Some sexually transmitted diseases are viruses, others are caused by bacteria, some by plain and simple dirt. As a result, there are different ways, in which people can get STD infected. An important form of STD infection is the contact between bodily fluids (most importantly blood, sperm, vaginal fluids and mother milk). This is especially true the most lethal ones in the Western world: such as Hepatitis (around in different varieties) and HIV (Aids). As a result, contact with bodily fluids should be avoided by anyone who has more than one partner (even if that is only incidental) and partners who have not been solely together for MANY years (not months). Incubation time (the “lead” time before the actual infection shows itself), in the case of HIV for example may be as much as five to seven years.

Another well known cause of STD infection is lack of hygiene. In the BDSM world especially quite a lot of personal hygiene is neglected. Toys that have been on the floor or in a toy bag should not be used unless cleaned and – when brought into contact with the genital area – protected. One should wear latex gloves during penetration, especially when in a (more) public environment.

3. What do I do when I (think I) am STD infected?

There is only one answer: visit your doctor as soon as possible. Bear in mind that your doctor is not there to judge you, but to cure you. And yes, doctors have seen it all before and many times. If you feel troubled by having to go to your doctor, turn to a first aid center or a specific STD center if there is one in your area.

Every STD spreads like wildfire! They are among the most contagous diseases. In most cases if you are infected, you do not only have a responsibility to yourself, but also to your partner(s) and to an extent to you entire environment.

4. Can an STD be cured?

Some can, and some cannot. There are no cures yet for HIV, hepatitis C and various forms of herpes, for example. HIV and hepatitis C are potentially lethal. So is syphylus, but there is a good cure for this disease.

5. Does an STD only effect me?

Every STD will effect you but most will also effect your partner and maybe others (such as unborn children) if not properly taken care of. Sometimes an STD can be the cause of dead babies or incurable medical problems. Some will not really effect the bearer, but will badly effect the partner and – for example – cause infertility (in males especially).

6. How do I protect myself against STD infection?

Your first line of defense is strict personal hygiene. Wear latex gloves and use condoms, also on penetrating toys, such as dildos and vibrators. Regularly clean equipment and – for example – wash bondage ropes.

The second important line of defense is to educate yourself. Again, know what the risks are and avoid them.

7. Does an STD spread quicker, because of BDSM activity?

The BDSM community is very open. It is not unusual to temporarily exchange partners, people switch partners frequently and such things as BDSM parties open an easy risk for infection. Besides, BDSM activity implies much more physical contact than most other forms of sexual behavior and there is the frequent use of toys and equipment. So, there indeed are more opportunities for infection, compared to a standard vanilla relationship. As a result – although no real research has been done in this area – there should be a higher risk of spreading an STD.

8. What BDSM activities are likely to spread an STD?

All forms of penetration, genital or by means of toys, fingers, fists or the mouth are activities that can transmit an STD. In terms of BDSM there are also other activities. Whipping may occasionally cause small superficial skin wounds and any breakage of the skin is a serious crack in the bodies main line of defense against diseases, including many STDs. Bondage ropes, used in the genital area, are a well known vehicle for sexually transmitted diseases and so are internal toys (vibrators, dildos, Ben Wah balls, vibrating eggs, etcetera). Nipple clamps may also cause small skin wounds. In general, BDSM activity is much more physically intens and physically demanding than most other forms of sexual activity. As a result, you should be more careful.

9. Why do governmental and health organisation hardly ever mention BDSM-acitivity in their STD information?

Most forms of what is generally known as “alternative sexuality” (such as BDSM) are overlooked by governmental and health organisations, when it comes to information and education about STD risks. The reason for this is largely in the fact that such organisations simply will not believe there are that many practitioners and that such organisations have no clue about BDSM. “Alternative sexuality” in the entire education of health care professionals usually takes up as much space (and attention) as ONE PAGE IN ONE BOOK! That is, if alternative sexuality is being mentioned at all!

10. How can I help to inform people about STD risks?

If you happen to be active in a local BDSM community, or for example have a personal website about BDSM, try and devote some time and space to sexually transmitted diseases occasionally. For example, next to workshops about flogging, bondage or needle play, a workshop about STD prevention will be very helpful. But, since this is not a popular subject you may also want to settle for having leaflets available, writing something in your magazine or newsletter if you have one and putting information on websites.

By: Hans Meijer

About the Author:

Elian

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Sex toys can be great fun, and they add real value to the bedroom experience for many women, men and couples. However, as with anything fun, there is a some work involved to keep your adult toys as clean and as hygienic as possible.

Because sex toys are in contact with bodily fluids, stored for a time and then used again it’s vital that they are kept clean for reasons of health and personal hygiene. If proper procedures aren’t followed, the results can be infection and other serious health problems.

The purpose of the sex toy in question may vary, but the basic principles for cleaning your toys effectively are the same.

1. Disinfect and clean – almost any soap will do , and warm water, as warm as you can take it.

2. Dry well before storing. Clean lint free towels are best for this.

3. Store in a good location. Dry, clean and dust free, ideally with some air circulation.

Cleaning Women’s Sex Toys

The most popular and widely used sex toys for women are dildos and vibrators.

Dildos and Dongs are usually pretty straight forward in their design, consisting of a shaft used for penetration thats quite easy to clean, even models with ridges, ribs or “veins” can be washed easily.

- Because there are no moving parts you can just submerge dildo sex toys in warm soapy water, lather it up all over, rinse well and dry.

Vibrators come in a huge variety of designs, some of which are almost exactly like dildos (but they vibrate), and others which have more complex moving parts, and require a bit more care to clean. An example of this would be a rabbit vibrator, which has a stimulator protruding from the shaft much like a branch on a tree. The area in between the ‘rabbit’ and the vibrator shaft is a perfect hiding place for bacteria if it isn’t cleaned well.

- First, remove batteries from the vibrator, and make sure you close the compartment properly. Next, wash the vibrator in some warm soapy water – take care not to get water in or around the area where the batteries go in, or the control knob / buttons. You might wash those areas with a slightly damp cloth, or some alcohol on a cotton ball.

- If you have a waterproof vibrator, you can just wash it like a dildo, and get the whole thing clean at once.

- If your vibrator has a hard to reach area, using a soapy cotton swab might be necessary.

- Rinse any soapy water off well before drying.

- Use a clean towel to dry your sex toy, not a dirty towel you are already using, as it will have more bacteria on it.

Cleaning Men’s Sex Toys

The most common sex toys for men are cock rings and masturbators.

Most cock rings are quite easy to wash, just use warm water and soap, and put the ring between your hands while rubbing them together. If it’s a vibrating ring, chances are the vibrator bit is removable, so take it out first.

Masturbators (also known as a pocket pussy or realistic vagina) come in two kinds – open ended and not open ended. With an open ended masturbator, much of the ejaculate will not remain in the sex toy, but it still needs a damn good cleaning.

The best way is to run some soapy warm water through it in the sink, while massaging it to make sure the inside has been cleaned up properly by the sides of the tube rubbing each other.

For a closed end masturbator, you’ll want to wash, rinse and repeat several times, until you are sure there is no ejaculate or lubricant left inside the pocket, an old toothbrush might help, but wash and rinse well after using that too.

Anal Sex Toys

Adult toys designed for anal penetration are popular with women and men, and include butt plugs, anal beads and anal probe vibrators.

These can be washed just like the vibrators and dildos above, with warm water and soap.

Anal beads on string can be quite difficult to clean, so for that reason we suggest the kind with beads connected to each other on a solid shaft.

Keep it Clean or Don’t Keep it

There are parts of some adult toys where moisture can infiltrate and start problems. Sometimes this manifests itself as a bad smell or spots that can be seen between different layers of material (in clear jelly sex toys).

If you have a sex toy that smells like bad food, cheese or something other than how it smelled when it was new, and/or has discoloration after washing, it might have been infected with colonies of bacteria or mold.

It’s important to discard a sex toy that can’t be cleaned and start over with a new one.



Kaitlin