Can I get an STI from masturbating?

Dear Reader, 

The short answer to your question is no, you can’t get a new STI from solo masturbating. Swelling in and around the vagina can be a natural response to sexual arousal. It may also be a result of irritation, allergic reactions, or infection. If you’re worried about symptoms that aren’t going away, you may want to speak with a health care provider. They may be able to figure out what exactly is going on down there! 

Can you get an STI from masturbating? 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) get their name because they have to be transmitted from one person to another. If you’ve only been masturbating alone and don’t have any preexisting STIs, it’s not possible to give yourself one.  

However, it’s also important to note that some people define masturbation differently. If you masturbate with another person (often called ‘mutual masturbation’), your level of risk for contracting an STI depends on how much interaction there is between your bodily fluids and your sexual partner’s.   

If you already have an infection, there’s a small chance of spreading it from one part of your body to another. For example, it’s possible to spread herpes from cold sores near your mouth to your genitals if you use your saliva to masturbate. However, again, it can’t develop by itself.  

There’s also the possibility of transmitting STIs through sex toy use. If you masturbate with a sex toy that another person has used and hasn’t properly washed, it may increase your risk of contracting an STI. 

What can cause vaginal swelling? 

The vagina is a highly sensitive part of the body. A lot of different things can cause swelling on the inside (known as vaginitis) or outside (vulvovaginitis). Even if your symptoms aren’t from an STI, they could still be related to masturbation. For example, swelling could be caused by friction or irritation if you’ve recently started masturbating in a different way. It’s also possible to have an allergic reaction to certain types of lotions, lubes, toys, condoms, or anything else that you use to masturbate.  

Additionally, everyday items such as soap or laundry detergent can cause more sensitive areas to flare up, especially if you’ve recently switched up the products you use. Bacterial infections in the vagina or yeast infections may also cause some swelling. Other symptoms you may experience include itching or burning sensations, feeling like you need to pee more than usual, or discharge that isn’t normal for you.  

Should you speak with a health care provider about vaginal swelling? 

It can be scary to speak with a health care provider about your genitals. However, meeting with them early can help prevent your symptoms from worsening. You may also get some helpful advice or a treatment plan.  

Establishing care sooner rather than later may also help you to feel more confident managing or preventing potential issues in the future! If you’re unsure who to speak with about your concerns, you can try seeking out a low-cost clinic or even getting advice from a primary care physician if you’ve already established care with one. 

If you’re nervous about talking with your parents about visiting a health care provider, you could point out that any of these symptoms can be caused by non-sexual factors.  

How else can you alleviate or prevent vaginal swelling? 

In addition to speaking with a health care provider, there are some hygiene tips that might help soothe or prevent discomfort. These include: 

• Washing your hands before and after masturbating or touching your genitals. This can prevent germs from traveling where you don’t want them. 
• Wiping from front to back when using the restroom. This helps keep anal bacteria, which can cause vaginal infections, away from your vagina. 
• Wearing cotton underwear. Doing so can keep your vaginal area dry, which helps combat fungal infections.  

No matter how you keep yourself clean and safe, here’s hoping your worries (and your swelling) diminish soon!