[Question #11027] Sex toys

17 months ago

Can HIV be transmitted through sex toys? I engaged in a BDSM session with a sex worker. She inserted a dildo into my anus. I'm unsure if the dildo was clean, as my eyes were fully covered during the session.

I've encountered conflicting information on this website. One thread claims that HIV cannot be transmitted through inanimate objects, including sex toys. However, others suggest that sharing sex toys in rapid succession could be risky. But since a dildo is an inanimate object, shouldn't the risk be non-existent?

I'm feeling very anxious. I'm concerned that the sex worker might have used the dildo on herself immediately before inserting it into my anus, but I cannot be certain as I couldn't see. She was naked during the session.

My questions are:

1. Should I be worried?

2. What is the risk of HIV transmission from sharing a dildo in rapid succession? Can this risk be quantified? I hope it's significantly lower than that of having anal sex.

3. Are there any documented cases of HIV transmission in this manner? Have you come across any instances of HIV infection from sharing sex toys?

4. Can I move on with my life?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

17 months ago

Welcome to the Forum. Thanks for your questions. I'll be glad to comment although the answer may be a bit nuanced. Please remember that mutual masturbation, including insertion of a finger into a partner's anus, even when the partner's genital secretions are present is considered a no risk event by experts, by the CDC, and by the WHO. Insertion of a dildo which may not have been properly cleaned is a similar event. Some argue that if the sex toy had been immediately used on another person with untreated HIV could deliver sufficient infectious sections to cause infection. I know of know data to support this claim.

In addition, I would point out that:

1. HIV becomes non-infectious upon contact with the environment

2. It is unlikely that your partner had HIV

3. It is unlikely that the dildo was not cleaned between encounters.

Thus, in answer to your specific questions:

1. Should I be worried?

I would not be worried in the least

2. What is the risk of HIV transmission from sharing a dildo in rapid succession? Can this risk be quantified? I hope it's significantly lower than that of having anal sex.

See above. Theoretically there may be some small risk but in reality it is very, very low although scientifically unquantified. Certainly it is far, far lower than participating in receptive rectal intercourse

3. Are there any documented cases of HIV transmission in this manner? Have you come across any instances of HIV infection from sharing sex toys?

No, never

4. Can I move on with my life?

That would be my recommendation. I would not worry in the least.

I hope this information is helpful to you. EWH

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17 months ago

Thank you, Dr. Hook.

When you say, “I know of know data to support this claim,” do you mean “I know of no data to support this claim”?

So, even if the sex worker used the dildo on herself (inside her vagina and anus) immediately before inserting it into my anus, the risk of HIV infection is still extremely low, am I correct?

This may not be a reasonable question, but how would you compare my risk with the risks of events like receiving oral sex or receiving analingus, from which no known infections have occurred?

By the way, I am male, and the sex worker is female, if this makes any difference.

17 months ago

I apologize; I would like to rephrase my question in a more general manner. What I want to ask is: Which is riskier:

1. Receiving oral sex.

2. Someone using a dildo in their vagina and anus for an extended period, such as 15-20 minutes, and then immediately inserting it into my anus for a similar duration (in my case, 15-20 minutes).

Edward W. Hook M.D.

17 months ago

Sorry for the type of graphical error. That sentence should’ve read “I know of no data to support that claim.”

Your assessment that, even if your partner had use the dildo on herself before inserting it in your anus, the risk of HIV would be very, very low is correct.

As I have already indicated, there are no scientific data to estimate the numerical risk. Therefore, I cannot compare the risk of your situation to receipt performing oral sex on an HIV infected person. Both sorts of encounters are very, very low risk, but to compare that my simply not possible.

EWH

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16 months ago

Dr. Hook, thank you very much for your help. I would like to use my last opportunity to seek some reassurance.

So, in summary, even if the sex worker used the dildo on herself (inside her vagina and rectum) immediately before inserting it into my rectum, I can still be confident that my risk of contracting HIV from the dildo's insertion into my rectum is low enough for me to move on with my life without undergoing HIV testing.

Do you agree with my summary?

If I decide not to test for HIV, do you support my decision?

16 months ago

I would like to emphasize that when describing my experience, I used the word "anus" instead of "rectum." However, I actually meant the latter. Let's assume she inserted the dildo into her vagina and rectum immediately before inserting it into my rectum.

I'm not a native English speaker, so I hope you understand my description. If anything is unclear, please let me know.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

16 months ago

I agree with your summary. I support your decision not to test.

This completes this thread. EWH

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16 months ago

Dr. Hook, did you notice my latest reply concerning the words "anus" and "rectum"?