Is Blue Waffle Really an STD?

Blue waffle disease is an internet hoax started in 2010 which described a fictitious sexually transmitted disease (STD) that was meant to turn a vagina blue. It made national headlines when the prank was cited by a New Jersey councilperson as a new and imminent threat to a woman's health.

The fact that the prank sowed such panic and public discontent illustrates how easily misinformation can be spread, jeopardizing not only a person's peace of mind but their understanding about the nature and risks of real STDs.

How the Hoax Started

The blue waffle disease myth started as a bait-and-switch meme (meaning one that gives users something that they did not expect, usually for humorous purposes). In this case, the aim was entirely malicious.

Posting an image of a blue-colored waffle, the prankster 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 name was lifted from the slang term "waffle," meaning vagina.

The disease, which the prankster claimed was sexually transmitted, was said to cause vaginal lesions, itching, burning, and a smelly discharge—namely all of the symptoms one might expect from common STDs like syphilis, herpes, gonorrhea, or chlamydia. The assertions that blue waffle disease could turn your vagina blue are simply false.

Unfortunately, medical evidence to the contrary did little to quell the rising panic on social media. Some people even claimed that blue waffle disease could eventually turn the person's body blue if left unchecked.

The hoax has reared its head repeatedly as a new generation of adolescents and teens happen upon the meme and share it with their friends.

Intent and Consequences

While it is possible that the image of the blue vagina was doctored, it is more likely that it was a photo of a vagina onto which gentian violet was applied to treat a yeast infection. (Gentian violet stains the skin purple and is a natural way to treat mild vaginal and oral yeast infections.)

The fact that so many people fell for the hoax reflects a pervasive narrative that continues to plague the social commentary: that sexually active women are "abnormal" and will ultimately reap the consequences of their sexual behavior. After all, blue waffle disease was an STD that affects only women, not men.

Ironically, boys and men will often brag about having "blue balls" if they are frustrated for not having enough sex. The underlying narrative here is that men are meant to have sex—and lots of it—or suffer the consequences of "blue balls."

It is a reflection of a culture that still measures a man's worth by his sexuality and attacks and degrades a woman for her's.

Frequency Asked Questions

What is a blue waffle?

Blue waffle is a fictional sexually transmitted disease that was said to turn the vagina blue and disfigure it. The claims of "blue waffle disease" first started in 2010 when an online hoax was cited by a New Jersey councilperson as a
health threat to women." The claim soon turned viral on social media.

How do you get blue waffle?

You cannot get blue waffle disease. It is a fictional STD.

Even so, there are things you can do to protect yourself from real sexually transmitted infections, including the consistent use of condoms and a reduction in your number of sex partners.

What does a blue waffle look like?

As blue wallet disease does not exist, don't believe what you read online about the disease causing your vagina to turn blue.

This doesn't mean you should ignore any changes in the color, sensitivity, or smell of your vagina. A red, irritated vagina with itching, burning, and/or smelly discharge could be the signs of a very real condition called vaginitis.

Vaginitis can be caused by bacterial STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhea as well as the parasitic STD trichomoniasis. Each requires treatment to resolve the infection and prevent the further spread of the disease.

A Word From Verywell

In short, blue waffle disease does not exist. It is not an STD, and your genitals will not turn blue if you have a lot of sex.

However, if you do notice changes on your genitals, such as bumps, sores, or discharge, see your doctor, a woman's health clinic, or a free STD clinic. Symptoms like these could very well suggest an STD in need of real treatment.

To avoid STDs, always practice safer sex, including limiting the number of sex partners. In the end, there is absolutely nothing wrong or abnormal about having a healthy sex life. Just be sure to protect yourself by making good choices and using condoms consistently.