A Healthy Guide to Sex Toys

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Whether you’re perusing the aisles and displays at a store or scrolling online, shopping for a sex toy can be a little overwhelming. We’re here to help with this beginners guide. Bringing a sex toy into the bedroom isn’t something you reserve only for steamy nights with your significant other. Sex toys open women up to a range of sensations that you just can’t experience with your hands or with a partner. As well as offering pleasure and fun, sex toys can provide an array of health benefits.

Studies conducted at Indiana University in the USA found that 53% of women and 45% of men aged between 18-65 years had used a vibrator, and that vibrator use is associated with improved sexual function and being more proactive about sexual health. For women, sex toys can be helpful in the treatment of menopausal symptoms such as vulval/vaginal pain and tightness. For men, there are a number of sexual problems that may be helped by using specific sex toys. These include erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, lack of libido, and post-surgical problems for a variety of conditions.

Using sex toys to enhance sexual pleasure and orgasm can help you to sleep, boost immunity, relieve pain, reduce stress, and boost your brainpower. For men and women, one benefit of introducing sex toys into the dynamic is to open up a dialogue about healthy sex and what they enjoy as individuals and a couple.

Similar to experiencing new sex positions, it may be something you haven’t tried before due to embarrassment or fear of purchasing items, but you may find that your sex health benefits from this new openness. Here is a guide to help you choose healthy sex toys:

Dildos

A dildo is anything vaguely phallic-shaped, that’s designed to penetrate a vagina, mouth, or anus.

Standard dildos: They most resemble biological penises in shape and function. Our pick: Lynx

Textured dildos: Changing the material the dildo is made out of to vary the sensation. Our pick: Pure Love

Double-ended dildos: Depending on the shape, double-ended dildos allow you to experiment with double penetration either in the same hole or in different holes, for a sense of fullness. Our pick: Lynx

Vibrators

A vibrator is a vibrating tool used for external and internal sexual stimulation, whether by penetration or application to various erogenous zones. It comes in many shapes and sizes.

External vibrators

Palm vibrator: designed to cover the vulva and stimulate your labia and clit. Our pick: Svakom

Panty vibrator: clip into your panties for hands-free clitoral stimulation. Our pick: Pelepas

Wand vibrator: have a bulbous head that’s designed to deliver super intense, rumbly vibrations anywhere on the body. Our pick: Pure Love

Finger vibrator: slide onto or sit between two digits so you can bring your hands between your legs to enjoy the vibration. Our pick: Paloqueth

Bullet vibrator: provide buzzy, low-intensity vibration to your bits. They fit inside most harnesses to give the strap-on wearer stimulus. Our pick: Phanxy

Vibrating penis ring: slide over the penis and offer stimulation to the scrotum or a partner’s clit during penetration. Our pick: loverbeby

Penis vibrator: designed specifically to fit over, or encase, the penis with vibration. Our pick: Alllovers

Internal vibrators

G-spot vibrator – The G-spot is a nerve-dense pleasure zone located 2 inches inside along the front vaginal wall. G-spot vibrators are ergonomically designed to stimulate this zone. Our pick: Phanxy

Egg vibrator: Slightly larger than a bullet vibrator, egg vibes are designed to be inserted vaginally for internal stimulation. Also comes on a stick for beginners. Our pick: Phanxy

Anal vibrator: Any vibrator with a flared base qualifies as an anal vibrator. The most common are vibrating butt plugs. Our pick: Paloqueth

Combination vibrator

A combination of internal and external vibrators.

Rabbit vibrators – the most common type of combination vibrator feature a curled nub for G-spot stimulation and an external nub for clitoral stimulation. Our pick: Paloqueth

Alternative Sex Toys

Blindfold – by removing one sense, your other senses become much more heightened.

Feather teaser, oils, and scents – provides gentle touch and sensation across the body, great after impact play on sensitive areas. Our pick: Romantic Getaway Kit

Sex furniture – designed to help you and your partner get in more comfortable positions during positions you already love — or want to try but can’t due to physical limitation. Our pick: Sex Pillow Wedge

What’s the best Sex Toy?

It all comes down to knowing what you like and finding a toy that helps you do it. Or, knowing what you like, and finding a toy that gives you a little extra-extra while you’re doing it!

So, before you hand over your credit card, spend some time getting down with yourself and learning what you like.