Human Papillomavirus or HPV for short are a family of several hundred related viruses. Most HPV strains are either asymptomatic or cause mild symptoms and are naturally cleared by the body within 1 to 2 years. Some strains of HPV cause more serious symptoms like genital warts and cancer. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection and approximately 80% of the population will contract it sometime during their lives. HPV is usually transmitted during vaginal, oral or anal sex or through close skin-to-skin contact during sex. Some HPV subtypes can be transmitted on surfaces, but this occurs far less frequently then sexual transmission. Symptoms of HPV such as warts can be treated, but there is currently no treatment for the virus itself. The FDA has approved a vaccine that protects against the most dangerous cancer causing HPV subtypes.
HPV infects the cells in the lowest layer of skin. As these infected cells replicate to produce new skin cells the virus is copied as well. HPV virus can only replicate within activly dividing cells so modifies its host cell allowing the virus to continue to replicate. These modifications cause the infected cells to continue to grow and divide which can create lumps of skin cells called paplomas or warts. These modifications change the infected cells DNA which can inducing cancer. Two subtypes of HPV, strains 16 and 18, are particularly adept at inducing cancer and cause over 75% of HPV derived cancers.
HPV is a very durable virus, it has a strong protein shell called a capsid which surrounds its viral DNA which the virus uses to replicate after infecting a host cell. HPV is a nonenveloped virus which means that it is not deactivated by drying out and can remain infectious on the surfaces for weeks. Researchers found that disinfectants commonly used in hospitals to clean medical equipment do not kill HPV. In another study HPV was detected on a vibrators used by HPV positive persons 24 hours after use, which shows that HPV could potentally be transmitted on sex toys.
Unfortunately, I do not have the resources to demonstrate that sex toys can transmit HPV or test methods for disinfecting contaminated toys so we will have to rely on previously published research. Surface transmission of STI's is an understudied field of research bit there are a couple of relevant studies. I feel that studies done on disinfecting HPV contaminated medical supplies are applicable to sex toys. I also feel that practices recomended for reducing HPV transmission during partnered sex are applicable to sex toy use. I have provided a few ideas to minimize risk of HPV transmission based on current studies and best practice.
The Risk of contracting HPV through Sex toy use is likely pretty low, but I think it is valuable to be informed about any potential risks. Research has shown that medical tools that are inserted vaginally are a potential vector for transmitting HPV between individuals. Studies have also shown that traces of HPV are detectable on Sex toys after use by HPV positive individuals so it follows that sex toys could act as a vector for HPV transmission. Many of the commonly employed methods for cleaning sex toys, like boiling or using alcohol based cleaners are ineffective at deactivating HPV. I think that decontamination methods used in the medical field, and principles for avoiding HPV transmission during partnered sex are applicable to sex toys, and can greatly reduce transmission risks.
This Article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you have concerns about HPV or Vaccination please discuss these concerns with your Physician. As always Play safe.