Is It Safe To Use A Vibrator While Pregnant? - BabyCenter

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Is it safe to use a vibrator during pregnancy?

Medically reviewed by Rae Cherng, M.D., FACOG, ob-gyn Stephanie Watson

Written by Stephanie Watson | Sep 11, 2025 Different sex toys on pink fabric

Photo credit: © Javier Díez / Stocksy United

Your desire can rise and fall during pregnancy, and there may be times when you want that little extra stimulation a sex toy can provide.

Can you use a vibrator while pregnant? The answer is yes. Vibrators and other sex toys are usually safe to use during pregnancy.

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It's important to make sure your toys are clean before you use them. Sex toys can carry the bacteria and viruses that cause sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including:

Chlamydia
Genital herpes
Hepatitis B (HPB)
Hepatitis C
Syphilis
Trichomoniasis
Gonorrhea

These infections can be risky to you and your baby. The best advice is to not share your vibrator, and to wash it before and after each use, as well as when you switch it to a different body part (like going from your anus to your vagina). You can follow the instructions on the package for cleaning your vibrator. Usually, it's okay to wash reusable sex toys with warm water and soap.

It's best to use a nonporous sex toy, since porous toys can harbor bacteria and increase your risk of infection. Many sex toys are covered in silicone, which is a safe material. And if you see any scratches or cuts on your vibrator, it may be time to throw it out, since bacteria can grow there, too.

If your healthcare provider recommends you avoid penetrative vaginal sex while you're pregnant, using a vibrator (with no penetration involved) can be a good alternative. But you may want to ask your provider before using one if:

You're at risk for preterm labor
You have pain or cramps
You're bleeding or leaking amniotic fluid
You have placenta previa
Your water has already broken

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Want more real talk about pregnancy (yes, even the awkward stuff)? Get week-by-week updates on your baby's growth, expert-backed answers to all your questions, and a community that gets what you're going through on the BabyCenter appOpens a new window.

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Sources

BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies.

National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Changes in Sexual Desire in Women and Their Partners during PregnancyOpens a new window, February 2020.

Mayo Clinic, Sex during pregnancy: What's OK, what's notOpens a new window, July 2024.

MedlinePus, Placentia PreviaOpens a new window, April 2024.

National Health Services, Sex activities and riskOpens a new window, August 2025.

Version History

Sept. 11, 2025

Editors: Maggie Panos and Rebekah Wahlberg

Sources checked and reformatted.
Edited for tone and clarity.
New title, SEO title, teaser, and summary.

Stephanie WatsonStephanie Watson is a freelance health and lifestyle writer based in Rhode Island. When she’s not busy writing, Watson loves to travel, try new cuisines, and attend as many concerts, shows, and plays as she can fit into her busy schedule. Opens a new window Opens a new window Opens a new window

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