Sex
Toys 101: Questions and Answers
Typical
Questions
What is the percentage of women who use
sex toys?
There are vibrators, personal massagers
and dildos: What’s the difference?
What kind of vibrator is better: Hard or
soft?
What is a PPA?
Does size
matter?
Who makes the highest-quality vibrators?
What
is a Venus Butterfly?
How
does a cockring work?
What can I do about a loud vibrator?
Can I get “numb” from using a vibrator?
Anal Toys
Can you have an orgasm from anal
stimulation?
What’s the difference between a probe,
plug or beads?
Is
anal play with toys safe?
How are anal lubricants different from
regular lubricants?
Partner Issues
I want to try a sex toy, but how do I
bring it up with my partner?
Is it safe to “share” toys with a partner
or friends?
How can a vibrator be used during
penetration sex?
Men’s
Issues
What kind of vibrator should I buy for my
girlfriend?
What if I buy her a toy and she gets
“addicted” to it instead of me?
What kind of toys can a man use?
I’m a straight guy that wants to
experiment with anal play but, I’m embarrassed.
Lubricants
and Condoms
Why use a
lubricant?
What are the different kinds of
lubricants?
I had an allergic reaction to a latex
condom. Should I try a polyurethane one?
What’s the percentage of women who
use sex toys?
Based on a
world-wide Durex study, between 60% and 80% percent of all women
use sex toys.
There are vibrators, personal
massagers, dildos: What’s the difference?
A
dildo or a
“dong”
is a phallus-shaped item designed to provide sexual pleasure
through vaginal or anal penetration, not clitoral stimulation.
A dildo can look perfectly realistic with true to life texture
or it may be perfectly smooth. Put a vibrating motor in a dildo
and it becomes, you guessed it, a vibrator. These items offer
more targeted stimulation and are often used to arouse the
clitoris. A “personal massager” is a polite euphemism for a
vibrator.
What kind of vibrator is better:
Hard or Soft?
This is a very
personal preference. Soft vibrators tend to warm with body heat
and offer a more realistic feel. However, some people prefer the
smooth, heavy feel of a hard vibe. Plastic, metal and acrylic
vibes also tend to transmit stronger vibrations. Click here to
see our most popular
hard or
soft
vibrators.
What is a PPA?
A PPA is a
“prosthetic penis attachment” that essentially is a hollow dildo
that simulates erection. It can be worn over the hips by way of
thigh-straps or it can be rolled on like a condom. PPA’s are
often used by men with erectile dysfunction to assist
penetration but they are also used to increase length and girth.
Click here to see a PPA.
Does size matter?
If you are
looking for a product primarily for clitoral stimulation size
won’t matter at all because it will be used externally. If you
want to use it as an insertable toy for the first time, it might
be better to start out small-to-average and work your way up to
your perfect size. (5 to 6 inches would be a good starting
point.)
Click here for an example.
Again, preferences for length and girth are
very personal. While many women tend to choose a 7 to 8 inch
product, others require a far larger size for sexual enjoyment.
Who makes the
highest-quality vibrators?
Though sex toy
manufacturers have made great improvements in toy quality in the
last few years, many are still produced in China, Taiwan and
even America from cheap components that tend to break after 6
months to one year. Japanese vibrators are by far the highest
quality, featuring higher RPMs and quiet operation.
With proper
care, these superior massagers can last decades.
Click here to see our most popular
Japanese Vibrator.
What is a Venus Butterfly?
The Venus
Butterfly was one of the first products specifically designed
for clitoral stimulation. Its unique feature is leg straps that
allow it to be worn like a pair of panties, allowing the wearer
to achieve extra stimulation during solo masturbation sessions
or even during intercourse.
Click here to see a Venus Butterfly.
How does a cockring work?
A ring worn at
the base of the penis or behind the scrotum can enhance erection
size and girth, control ejaculation and create more powerful
orgasms. It accomplishes this by restricting blood flow and
trapping the blood in the shaft of the penis. Furthermore,
cockrings can be an aid to safer sex because they secure the
condom at the base of the penis, reducing slippage.
Click here to see our most popular
cockring.
What can I do about a loud
vibrator?
The sound of a
loud vibrator is often generated by the vibration of the
batteries against the internal plastic
tubing. You can reduce this
noise by lining the casing with a rolled piece of paper.
Click here to see an example of our
most popular quiet vibrator.
Can I get “numb” from using a
vibrator?
Applying strong,
direct pressure on any part of the body can cause the
surrounding tissue to feel “numb” but
this is only a temporary
condition. To remedy this, try limiting direct contact by
placing a towel, sheet or
blanket between you and the
vibrator. Or, you can try varying the pressure. Many women find
that “pausing”
the vibration in varying
2-second increments can lead to more explosive orgasms.
Can you have an orgasm from anal
stimulation?
The anus, richly
endowed with nerve endings and interconnected with the main
pelvic muscles, is the
closest erogenous neighbor of
the genitals and contracts rhythmically during orgasm. Some
women report
that they can achieve orgasms
from anal stimulation alone. In men, anal penetration stimulates
the prostate
as well as the penile bulb
which can result in powerful orgasms.
Click here for more information about
anal sex techniques.
What’s the difference between a
probe, plug or beads?
Butt Plugs are
designed to be worn to create a sensation of fullness in the
rectum which can heighten
sexual intensity-They are
generally inserted and left in place during other erotic
activities.
Click here to see our most popular anal
plug.
Anal probes or
Anal Vibrators
are generally used to
manually stimulate the anus alone or during sex. They can
also vibrate
for added pleasure.
Click here to see our most popular anal
vibrator.
Butt/Anal Beads
are inserted one by one into the
rectum and then slowly pulled out during orgasm for stronger
climaxes.
Click here to see our most popular anal
beads.
Is anal play with toys safe?
By following a
few simple rules, anal play can be fun and safe.
1. The Golden Rule: lubricant and lots of
it! The rectum is not a self-lubricating organ like the vagina
and is more prone to bruising and tearing.
2. Relax and take it slow. Breathe into
each stroke.
3. When engaging
in anal play, ALWAYS use a toy with a flared base or a product
designed specifically for this type of sex. Regular probes and
vibrators can be lost inside the rectum.
4. Don’t share
anal toys. If you do, cover them with a condom. Disinfect toys
with an anti-bacterial toy cleaner after each and every use.
5. Never use a
toy from anus to vagina unless you change condoms in between.
6. If it hurts,
STOP.
How are anal lubricants different
from regular lubricants?
Anal lubricants
tend to be thicker and richer than traditional lubricants and
act as a “cushion” to the sensitive tissues
of the rectum.
Click here to see the best in
anal lubricants.
I want to try a sex toy, but how do
I bring it up with my partner?
Naturally,
communication is the key. Rather than surprising your partner
with a toy, try approaching the subject
of sex toys in a sensitive but
light-hearted way. Bring up an article about a fun toy you read
about in a
magazine or on a website.
Instructional books and videos are also great learning tools for
nervous beginners
and can help couples find out
what they like.
Click here to find out more information
about sex toys.
Is it safe to “share” toys with a
partner or friends?
With regards to
safe sex, sex toy usage should be treated with the same care as
regular penetration sex.
Any object that comes in
contact with the genitals can transfer bacteria or viruses so it
should be completely
disinfected before use, or
covered with a condom. It’s always better to use your own toys
during sex with a
partner, but if you must
share, it is preferable to use silicone, Pyrex glass, or hard
plastic toys. Their non-porous surfaces are easier to clean and
will not trap bacteria.
Click here to see the best selection of
silicone toys.
How can a vibrator be used during
penetration sex?
Many couples
find that the addition of a vibrator is fun and useful during
all kinds of sexual activity. Many
women overcome orgasm
difficulties by applying a vibrator to the clitoris during
sexual intercourse. Men can also benefit their partners (and
achieve stronger erections) by wearing a vibrating cockring. Click
here to see our most popular vibrating cockring.
What kind of vibrator should I buy
for my girlfriend?
Keep in mind
that every woman is different, though 80% of the female
population requires at least some kind
of clitoral stimulation. Some
women prefer external vibration only. Some prefer internal
stimulation and some
prefer both. If you don’t
know, ASK. If she is unsure about her sexual likes and dislikes,
I would usually
advise trying a Vibrating
Bullet.
These inexpensive and
versatile toys offer excellent vibration and can be
applied to the clitoris,
vagina or anus. Because they are generally small (and don’t
resemble a penis) they
are less likely to intimidate
a nervous beginner.
Click here to see our most popular
Vibrating Bullet.
What if I buy her a toy and
she gets “addicted” to it instead of me?
She probably
masturbates but does she prefer her finger to you? Adult toys
are a complement to sex, not a replacement for human
contact. Vibrators can help a woman achieve orgasm during
intercourse when it
might have been difficult or
impossible before. They are great for foreplay and can also help
her get in the
mood for sex. Keep in mind
that women need to stimulate 35,000 more nerve receptors to
reach orgasm
than men. To put it in simple
terms, Guys are naturally closer to the finish line.Vibrators
just help women get
there faster.
Click here to see great toys that
couples can use together.
What kind of toys can a man
use?
Until recently
there wasn’t much variety in the sex toy industry available to
men. Masturbators, sleeves and
love dolls were made out of
uncomfortable, hard plastics and were far from “realistic”
feeling. Now adult
novelty companies have made
tremendous leaps in production quality with new polymers that
mimic the soft
feel of real skin like Jelly,
silicone and Cyberskin. Now men can purchase life-like replicas
that truly mimic
the feel of intercourse, oral
and anal sex. Men can use cock rings which help give them
stronger and more
long-lasting erections.
Vibrating cock rings can turn a man into a “human vibrator”. For
anal stimulation,
there are thousands of
products from beads to plugs that will allow men to stimulate
their prostate (g-spot)
gland.
Click here to see the best selection of
toys for men.
I’m a straight guy that
wants to experiment with anal play but I’m embarrassed.
The good news is
men have a G-spot just like women, and it’s called the prostate
gland. When stimulated
(by way of the anus), this
pressure sensitive organ can help produce some of the most mind
blowing
orgasms you’ve ever had.
Here’s the dilemma: It can only be reached through the anus, and
many heterosexual men consider this area
off-limits because it’s
stereotyped a gay sex practice. Keep in mind; EVERYONE has the
ability to enjoy anal
stimulation: male, female, gay
or straight. It’s true that gay men are often more familiar with
prostate
stimulation, but they have
fewer social taboos regarding anal sex. Gay men derive sexual
pleasure from anal sex yet they possess the same equipment as
straight men. Why should outdated cultural conditioning dictate
how you can enjoy your own body? As long as what you do is safe
and consensual, you have nothing to worry about. To quote
Hustler Magazine, “Relax. It’s just sex!”
Click here to see our most popular
prostate stimulators.
Why use a lubricant?
Because sex toys
and even condoms absorb moisture it’s always wise to use a good
lubricant. It will last longer than natural body fluids and
reduce friction. Best of all, it will increase pleasure by
adding a sensual glide to any sexual activity. The two most
popular lubes are the water-based and silicone-based varieties.
What are
the different kinds of lubricants?
Water-based
lubricants like
Astroglide
usually contain
glycerin. This substance has a light consistency and a sweet
aftertaste. When its water content evaporates it can become a
little sticky but quick sprits of water will “reactivate” it.
There are also excellent new organic lubricants like
Wet Naturals
that forgo all
artificial ingredients but are still long-lasting and
latex-safe.
Silicone-based lubricants
like
Eros
Bodyglide seem to last forever
because they sit on top of the skin instead of absorbing into
it. A few drops of this lube and you’ll be slipping and sliding
all night. It even stays “wet” under water! Its long-lasting
qualities also make it one of the best massage products around.
So why doesn’t everyone use it? Because some customers prefer a
more natural lube and don’t like Eros’s thicker consistency.
Also, silicone-based lubes are not compatible with many silicone
toys. (Eros has addressed this by introducing its own
water-based formulas,
Eros Woman.)
Anal
lubricants can be silicone or water-based but tend to have a
thicker consistency and stay where you put them.
Never use
“home” products for lubrication!
(This includes Crisco, hair conditioner, mineral oil, Vaseline,
cold cream and moisturizers.) These products will upset the
natural Ph of a woman’s vagina. And because these products are
oil-based they will also weaken latex condoms
Click here to see our entire selection
of personal lubricants.
I had an allergic reaction
to a latex condom. Should I try a polyurethane one?
Are you sure you
had an allergic reaction? It is estimated that only 6% of
Americans are allergic to latex. Many of our customers who
complain of latex irritation find that they are actually
reacting to Nonoxynol-9. This detergent like substance is a
frequent component of many lubricated condoms because of its
ability to kill sperm and HIV. However, new research has shown
that it causes so much tissue irritation that it can actually
INCREASE disease transmission. As a safety precaution, we do not
recommend condoms or lubricants that contain this substance.
If you
experience discomfort and irritation with condoms, check your
brand thoroughly for Nonoxynol-9. You could also try using a non
lubricated latex condom because you might be manifesting an
allergy to glycerin containing products.
If you still
have irritation, it would be wise to switch to a polyurethane
condom. (In my opinion, this should be a last resort.
Polyurethane is not as elastic as latex so it has a higher
tear-rate. It also feels like Saran wrap.)
Click here for an example of a
non-latex condom.