Can You Catch Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) From Masturbating?

STDs, masturbation and sexual life are individually topics that people are unwilling to mention. Most people find out different protective methods to avoid an STD, and masturbation is one of the chosen methods. However, some of them may not know that masturbation can spread an STD. Through infected fingers or sex toys to masturbate with, you’re more likely to catch it.  When you understand how STDs are transmitted, it can give you a better idea of the from masturbation  

Can you catch an STD from masturbating?

Even though there’s a little published surveys about the question, it’s said that people can catch an STD from masturbating. The risk of fingers may lower than other sexual activities. However, its’ useful to know how you masturbate, rubbing outside the vagina or penetrate on it. As some STDs can be spread through close intimate contact even when there’s no penetration. Scabies, crabs, fungus may also travel on towels and sheets.

In addition, infected fingers increase your risks of getting an STD. By skin contact, some viruses can be spread, such as herpes or genital warts. When you touch an infected finger into the sensitive area, an STD can be in your body. Infected sex toys to penetrate also increases your risk of getting STDs.

Related: Do Condoms Protect Against STDs?

Masturbation and STDs of the skin

Most STDs spread by touching infected fluids or contact with infected area directly. They can be spread by masturbation and rubbing skin on skin such as syphilis, molluscum contagiosum, herpes and genital warts.

1. Syphilis

The disease may lead to severe health problems in both men and women. It’s normally spread through unprotected sex such as oral, vaginal and anal sex. Besides, mutual masturbation increases syphilis. People still spread the disease to other for about 2 years from the first infection if they leave untreated. Thus, you should get tests the infection to seek properly treatments. It’s good to quit masturbation during the treatment. It’s because touching sores of syphilis will spread it to other parts of the body.

Related: The 10 Most Common Sexually Transmitted Diseases

2. Molluscum contagiosum

This is a skin disease that affects more children than an STD. But, as a skin contact disease, it can be spread by skin on skin such as intercourse or masturbation. Though it’s a painless infection, the bumps can be itchy, irritated and swollen. When the sores break open, it may cause the virus spread. To treat it, you must need healthcare professional. Treatments showed on the internet mostly harm your skin and make the infection worse. Doctor may use laser therapy, creams or special technique to remove the infection.

3. Herpes

Both oral and genital herpes are highly contagious infections. They’re caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Due to skin contact, the infections are spread to another person easily. You also get herpes infection by masturbation. When you’re suffering from a cold sore, masturbation after touching sores on your lips will increase your genital herpes. Otherwise, touching other parts after sores exposure during masturbation will increase its spread. Herpes is transmitted not only by masturbation but also other sexual acts. So, you should be careful when getting herpes. Antiviral creams and medications may help you relieve the infection. ProsurX is one of the best creams to treat herpes. It kills the virus fast and prevent further outbreaks effectively.

4. Genital warts

It’s wondered whether or not masturbation increase genital warts. The fact is fingers may not cause genital warts. However, if you experience symptoms of the STD, it’s a good idea to stop masturbation. This is possible to spread warts from genitals to another parts of the body. To treat the infection, antiviral medications and creams may be helpful. You can take oral Acyclovir, Valtrex and Famvir. Besides, applying VidaroX is one of the best choices. The cream approved by FDA helps to treat HPV that causes genital warts and prevent future outbreaks. The best protective way for both of you is HPV vaccines.

Related: How to Prevent an Outbreak of Genital Warts

How to make masturbation safer

If you want to masturbate without anxiety about STDs, here’re things that make masturbation safer:

• Wash your hands carefully before and after masturbation. This may help you avoid the spread of bacteria or viruses from your nails to the genitals.
• Always clean sex toys after use. Besides, avoid sharing them with other people as the virus can be spread through using the same sex toys.
• Wear finger cots or use a condoms when masturbating
• Avoid touching your eyes during masturbation. The eyes are also sensitive like the genitals. They can be vulnerable to number of STDs. Moreover, getting an STD on the eyes is extremely uncomfortable and serious. If untreated, they may even cause blindness.
• If you find out bumps, sores or blisters while masturbating, wash your hands immediately. And avoid touching them. Even though it can’t sure an STD, it’s better to be careful. Then, you should visit your doctor to get tested.

All unprotected sexual acts increase your risks of an STD such as vaginal, anal, and anal sex. In addition, masturbation give you the chance of an STD, too. To protect from it, you should use protective methods while masturbating.