Vibrators: What They Are and How to Use Them
As SELF previously reported, sex toys can pass along STIs, so safer sex practices apply here. If you’re using a sex toy with someone outside of a sexually monogamous partnership, put a condom over your toy. Condoms are also key if you want to use a toy for both vaginal and anal stimulation (which you can do as long as the toy is safe for anal, a.k.a. it has a flared base). With that being said, each clit is as unique as a snowflake and should be treated as such, according to Lexington, Kentucky-based marriage and family therapist Juliana Hauser, PhD. « Discover if your glans (clitoral tip) likes light vibration or a stronger speed, » she says.
Orgasms release a jumble of hormones that cause positive feelings — oxytocin, dopamine, and endorphins. But, as we know, depression isn’t a mood — it’s a mental health illness that is more pervasive than grumpiness. Chronic vaginal dryness is uncomfortable AF, and it’s not something that just affects people going through menopause. The Good Housekeeping Institute has been testing products for over 100 years, so we know what we’re looking for when it comes to best in class. Before my Motorbunny arrived, my contact at the company warned me that this thing was strong. I assured them that I had already seen their machine in action and was down to try it.
When you press the mouth against your body, it traps the air in there, keeping it from escaping. The movement of the membrane uses that air to create modulating high and low air pressure. Those changes in air pressure create the sucking sensation suction toys are famous for. If you’re looking for something specifically for prostate stimulation, then the We-Vibe Vector is the best on the market.
As unique as this option may look in my collection of microphone-shaped wand vibes, the curved head makes it easier to hit my hot spots. Often, my wrist cramps up and my arms tucker out from holding a vibrator at the angle I need to pleasure myself—but I’ve never had that problem with the ergonomic Mega Massager. I also love that this budget-friendly pick includes a knobby silicone sleeve that can slide over the smooth attachment for some extra texture. This wand vibrator comes highly recommended by Jessica O’Reilly, PhD, host of the Sex With Dr. Jess podcast and co-author of The Ultimate Guide to Seduction and Foreplay.
If you’d like to customize any part of your Doxy besides the wand color, they’ll charge you $40. This means that the customizable Doxy Original is more costly than the Hitachi, but still $10 cheaper than Le Wand. Not to yuck anyone’s yum, but sometimes you don’t want to play with a toy that has gizmos or viral potential.
Your vibrator will usually come with a little booklet, including instructions for use and other important safety and maintenance information. In the very least, reading the instructions will give you a rundown of the controls. It’s useful to know, before you take it on a test drive, how to turn your vibrator on and off, as well as how to change between any different vibration patterns and speeds. That menu reads like a Greek diner’s when you see how varied the best male sex toys are these days.
Just know that silicone-based lube can cause silicone sex toys to break down over time. Instead, try water-based lube, which is usually a safe, solid choice for most toys, as SELF has previously reported. Bullet vibrators are tiny sex toys with a pointed tip for targeted external sensation. Many can fit inside a strap-on harness for additional stimulation during pegging and other strap-on sex acts, according to Wright. Egg vibrators are also easy to tuck away and hide viberators, but their round shape fits more comfortably in the palm of your hand. If you enjoy dual stimulation with a nice range of intensity options, Dr. O’Reilly says this two-in-one toy from Lovehoney is a great pick.
The Lelo LYLA 2 is a bullet vibrator that comes with a wireless remote. It’s pretty much the Cadillac of bullet vibrators if you’re into that sort of thing. This vibrating prostate massager is specifically designed to provide targeted stimulation to the prostate and perineum, giving you all the sensations you need to reach new heights of pleasure.
Unsurprisingly , it was among the first personal devices electrified, only falling behind the sewing machine, fan, tea kettle and toaster. I’d brought Eva along with me in the black silk carrying bag it comes with, and I tried to sneak the vibrator in before we started doing the deed. « Wait, » said Dave, « I want to see how this thing works. » Already, the vibrator was starting to get in the way of sexy time. I showed him the technique I had now mastered, and we proceeded to have sex. Instead of simply whipping Eva out in the bedroom, I thought it best to check in with Dave beforehand to see if he’d be cool with it.
