Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Blue Waffles?Blue Waffle vs. Real STIsScreening for Real STIsGetting Educated
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Blue Waffles?
Blue Waffle vs. Real STIs
Screening for Real STIs
Getting Educated
The hoax included a picture of a labia that was doctored to look blue.It referred to symptoms, though, that were signs of actual STIs, which created additional confusion,
Fake claims about blue waffle disease continue to float around the internet. The incident has shown that there’s a great need to inform people about real STI risks and prevention and to educate the public about signs of an infection that require medical treatment.
Bhupi / Getty Images
What Is the Blue Waffle Hoax?
The blue waffle disease myth started as a bait-and-switch meme. Posting an image of a blue-colored waffle, the pranksters challenged users with the text:“Bet you can’t find me on Google image search.“Those who took the bait were shocked to find a photograph of a blue-tinted, apparently diseased labia.
The disease, which the pranksters claimed was sexually transmitted, was said to cause vaginal lesions, itching, burning, and a smelly discharge—namely the symptoms one might expect from real STIs likegonorrhea or chlamydia.The name itself was lifted from the slang term “waffle,” meaning vagina.
While it is possible that the image of the blue vagina was Photoshopped, it is more likely that the vagina was stained with gentian violet (a blue-colored antiseptic sometimes used to treatvaginal yeast infections).
Medical evidence debunking the myth did little to quell the rising panic on social media. Some people even claimed that blue waffle disease could eventually turn a female’s body blue if left unchecked.
How to Spot the Signs of Medical Quackery
Symptoms of Blue Waffle Related to Real STIs
One of the reasons that the blue waffle disease hoax fooled so many people is that the pranksters claimed it caused symptoms commonly associated with real STIs.
This included supposed blue waffle symptoms like:
Many of these same symptoms are seen withvaginitis, a common condition that causes inflammation of the vagina. While vaginitis can occur with STIs, there are also non-infectious causes that have nothing to do with sex.
Here is how the symptoms of blue waffle disease compare to symptoms of real STIs:
Can Anything Cause a Blue Vagina?There are no STIs associated with a blue vagina or skin discoloration.The only gynecological condition vaguely associated with bluish discoloration iscervical endometriosis. This is an uncommon variation ofendometriosisin which the lining of theuterusextends outside of the uterus to thecervix, causing blueish lesions along with vaginal pain and discharge.Even so, cervical endometriosis is not sexually transmitted.
Can Anything Cause a Blue Vagina?
There are no STIs associated with a blue vagina or skin discoloration.The only gynecological condition vaguely associated with bluish discoloration iscervical endometriosis. This is an uncommon variation ofendometriosisin which the lining of theuterusextends outside of the uterus to thecervix, causing blueish lesions along with vaginal pain and discharge.Even so, cervical endometriosis is not sexually transmitted.
There are no STIs associated with a blue vagina or skin discoloration.
The only gynecological condition vaguely associated with bluish discoloration iscervical endometriosis. This is an uncommon variation ofendometriosisin which the lining of theuterusextends outside of the uterus to thecervix, causing blueish lesions along with vaginal pain and discharge.
Even so, cervical endometriosis is not sexually transmitted.
How to Get Screened for Real STIs
STI screenings are essential parts of primary care. Iftest results are negative, you can take precautions to keep yourself safe. If yourresults are positive, you can seek treatment and avoid infecting others.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued the following general recommendation for STI screening in the United States:
Importance of Sex Education
Sex education is the best way to avoid misinformation and to reinforce behaviors that prevent STIs. This is especially important given thatcondom useamong young people in the United States has dropped from 61.5% in 2007 to 46.2% in 2017.
In contrast, studies have shown thatsex education programs—including online and technology-based programs— significantly increase condom use in young people.
The CDC and Planned Parenthood also offer educational materials about sex and STIs. These resources are available in English and Spanish.
Summary
Blue waffle disease does not exist. It is not an STI, and your genitals will not turn blue if you have sex. However, if you notice changes in your genitals, such as bumps, sores, or discharge, see your healthcare provider. Symptoms like these could be a sign of an STI in need of testing and treatment.
A Comprehensive Guide to STI Screening
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Chauhan V, Shah M, Thakkar S, Patel SV, Marfatia Y.Sexually transmitted infections in women: a correlation of clinical and laboratory diagnosis in cases of vaginal discharge syndrome.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2014;5(Suppl 1):S1-S5. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.144498
Paladine HL, Desai UA.Vaginitis: diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician.2018;97(5):321-329.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting tested for STIs.
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