Female Masturbation Vibrator
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Female Masturbation Vibrator
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Ashley Mateo has over a decade's worth of experience covering fitness, health, travel, and more for publications including the WSJ, Men's Journal, Women's Health, and more.
More than half of all women use a vibrator, but like the female orgasm itself, a lot of mystery surrounds these buzzy sex toys. Are vibrators only good for masturbation, or can they also make coupled sex more satisfying? Who invented the Rabbit vibe, and why is it shaped like a cute little animal? And is it true that relying on a vibrator too often can make your vagina permanently numb?
We took these and other pressing questions to the experts and compiled this list of the 11 most important and fascinating vibrator facts every woman needs to know.
Physician George Taylor gets credit for the invention; his original circa-1869 device was designed to relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety in women, then known collectively as the medical condition "hysteria," sexologist Carol Queen, PhD, curator of the Good Vibrations Antique Vibrator Museum , tells Health .
“Hysteria was treated by vulval or clitoral massage and later vibration, which would bring women ‘to the point of hysterical paroxysms of relief,'" she says. By the turn of the century, vibrators were made available to consumers. In the early 1900s, you could even find them in the Sears, Roebuck & Co. catalog.
In 1968, the Hitachi Magic Wand, marketed as a "personal massager," hit store shelves. That same year, New York-based artist Betty Dobson used the wand in a sexually explicit exhibition. In 1975, she brought the device to workshops where she taught women how to masturbate. The Hitachi folks wasn’t thrilled about that, so now it’s sold without any company branding.
The sex toy Sex and the City made famous was invented by Vibratex in 1984. The Japan-based company opted for the rabbit shape to get around a rule prohibiting manufacturers from making vibrators. It was first sold stateside in 1993 at Babeland in Seattle.
More than half of the female population uses a vibrator—but why? “They’re reliable and they never tire, as long as you have a charging cord or fresh batteries,” sexologist Megan Stubbs tells Health . The other thing is, only 18% of women orgasm from penetration alone, research shows. A vibrator offers the clitoral stimulation that's necessary for most women to climax.
Vibrators "act as power tools for intense orgasms," Jenni Skyler, PhD, certified sex therapist, sexologist, and licensed marriage and family therapist for sex toy site AdamEve.com , tells Health . "Especially for busy, tired, stressed, or lower-libido women, a vibrator kicks arousal into gear way faster than most any other means.”
It’s not just single ladies treating themselves to battery-powered Os. A survey by Adam & Eve found that 50% of married women use vibrators. Meanwhile, just 29% of single women do , according to a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine .
Those numbers may sound surprising, but remember: “The ranks of unmarried women include those who haven't had sex at all,” says Queen. So vibrators may not even be on the radar of less experienced women. Otherwise, “married women may use a vibrator to shrink the ‘orgasm gap’: the fact that during partner sex, men tend to climax more often than women do,” says Queen.
According to that same Journal of Sexual Medicine study: 80% of women and 91% of men who had used a vibrator at some point copped to enjoying it with a partner. “Vibrators are a fun addition to erotic play,” says Queen. “They can be a creative ‘let's switch it up’ rut-buster, or they can help women come when partner sex doesn't.” And FYI, vibration feels good to men, too.
Vibrator-induced numbness, however, is pretty rare—and it's not permanent . Just 11% of women reported experiencing “occasional numbness” from vibrator use , according to the Journal of Sexual Medicine data, but only 3% felt it frequently.
If you experience it, try adjusting the settings or changing the angle or position of your vibrator and see if that gets rid of the pins and needles. Or just take a break and let your body reset, Sherry Ross, ob-gyn and author of She-Ology , previous told Health .
There's really no danger in "overusing" a vibrator, and in fact women who regularly enjoy time with a buzzy device are way more likely to have had an ob-gyn checkup during the past year and to have self-examined their lady parts during the previous month, the study data found. Regular gynecological exams and self-checks are important aspects of maintaining optimum sexual health.
Let's say you're shopping for a new vibrator in a store and you come across one you think you like. How are you going to know if it offers the right kind of stimulation for your pleasure? Here's a workaround that won't get you arrested. “The best way to test a vibrator in public is to touch it to the tip of your nose,” suggests Stubbs. “The high concentration of nerve endings will give you a good idea of how it will feel on your sensitive areas.”
When you’re shopping for a vibe, opt for silicone over any other material. “It’s easy to clean and not a permeable material,” advises Queen. Permeable or porous materials (like jelly vibes) can collect dirt and bacteria, “which can then be transferred to the vagina and create an imbalance or even an infection,” warns Skyler.
Whatever material yours is made from, make sure you clean it regularly to cut down on the potential for infection. After each use, “use soap and water or anti-bacterial sprays,” recommends Skyler. And here's something amazing: a silicone vibrator can even go in the dishwasher.
Is your vibe broken or past its prime? No matter what it’s made of, just trash it. While most vibrator materials are recyclable, says Queen, “most municipalities in North America will not recycle vibrators because they are considered a biohazard,” explains Skyler. “And for most sex stores, it tends to cost more to recycle old toys than just dump it and make a new one.” Kudos for wanting to be sustainable, but you’re better off channeling those eco-friendly aspirations into another area of your life.
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There’s a lot of vibrator fear-mongering out there, mostly from idiots who are threatened by female sexual empowerment. Worried that you might get addicted to a vibrator? Or that your male partners would be intimidated by your vibrator usage? Let’s bust through the BS and talk about how to make your vibrator a healthy part of your masturbatory life.
If you’ve never used a vibrator before, you’re in for a treat. Vibrators create much more intense stimulation than fingers, tongues, or penises can. If you’ve never had an orgasm before, you may find it easier to have your first one with a vibrator. If you’re regularly able to orgasm in other ways, you may find your orgasms to be much more intense when they’re coming from a vibrator. There are women out there that just aren’t big vibrator fans (nothing wrong with that), but most women enjoy the sensation.
In purchasing your first vibrator, my first recommendation is that you make an investment. You may be tempted to buy something cheap if you’ve never used a sex toy before, but I really think you’re better served saving up your pennies to buy a high-quality product. More money typically buys more thoughtful design, a more powerful and durable motor, and body-safe materials. You won’t regret it.
My favorite vibrator for orgasm newbies is the Minna Life Limon . I like it because it’s simple and intuitive to use, fits in the hand nicely, and packs a punch despite looking cutesy. I’m also a big fan of the two-pronged design of the CRAVE Duet . It might look a little intimidating for a first-time toy, but many women will love the clitoris-cradling sensation it creates. Both the LELO Lily and JeJoue Mimi are pretty straightforward and uncomplicated, while still being high-quality. I suggest reading reviews online to get more perspectives about your potential purchase. (BTW, A Roll In The Hay and Oh Joy Sex Toy are two of my favorite reviewers).
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If it’s your very first time using a vibrator, spend some time getting yourself warmed up and excited for this experience . This is going to be fun! Gently stroke all over your body, and spend some time caressing your labia and clitoris with your fingers. In short: get your own motor running before you turn on the battery-powered one.
I suggest using your vibrator in conjunction with lube , which will help your toy glide gently across your clitoris instead of tugging at it. If you have a silicone toy, you want to avoid silicone lubes, which can break down your new purchase. I recommend Toy Love by Wicked . It’s a water-based lube (safe for silicone toys!) that has the same wonderful texture as a silicone lube.
Now, it’s time to grab your vibrator! Turn it on to the lowest power setting, and gently touch it to the surface of your clitoris. For some women, this will feel like hardly anything. For others, it might feel so intense that you leap off the bed. Clits vary wildly in their sensitivity, so it’s best to start super soft. If even the lowest setting is too much for you, try holding the vibrator against your labia, so that it’s not touching your clitoris directly. Or put a towel or blanket between you and your toy, or keep your underwear on. If you need more intensity, gradually increase the speed settings. (This is why I like the Limon so much; you simply squeeze harder for more speed, instead of having to fiddle with any buttons.) You’re looking for a setting that feels nice and moderate, not like it’s power-waxing your clitoris.
Play with where you like the vibration, too. Some women like having the vibe front and center on their clitorises. Others like more indirect contact, like you’re sneaking up on your clitoris instead of pouncing on it. Imagine that your clitoris is like a delicious pie cut into four slices, and try touching the vibrator against the edge of each slice. Compare that to what it feels like when the vibrator is on your clitoris.
Once you’ve found a good speed, try messing with the vibrational pattern settings on your vibrator (if it has them). Cycle through all of your options, and try to find the ones that you like best. It’s not likely that one particular pattern will blow your mind more than the others, but some women may find that they have decently strong preferences. If you feel a little baffled about all the options, just stick with the constant vibration pattern.
It’s good to give yourself time to play around with different speeds and settings, but once you’re ready to orgasm, you’ll want to stick with your favorite settings. When you’ve got your vibrator dialed in, hold it against your clitoris, and let it do its job. You may find yourself squirming around a bit underneath the toy; that’s natural. Let your body respond how it wants to respond, and hold on for the ride!
Let’s get one thing straight: there’s no conclusive evidence that shows that you can get “addicted” to your vibrator. That being said, it’s still a good idea to put some thought into how you would like vibrators to function in your sex life. Namely, do you want your orgasms to be the result of a vibrator, your own hands, your partner’s efforts, or a combination of the above?
There are some women out there who would be perfectly content having every single one of their orgasms originate from a mechanical motor. That’s totally cool; do your thing girl. But if you ever experience vaginal numbness or tingling, if you feel like you have to keep using higher intensity settings on your vibrator, if you notice less clitoral sensitivity, or if you feel like it’s becoming harder to orgasm without a vibrator, try taking a 1-2 week vibrator hiatus (these are all extremely unlikely possibilities, but they’re still possibilities). Your body may have become acclimated to vibration, but those effects will go away after a short break. No fear-mongering here!
There are going to be other women out there who would like to orgasm from a variety of stimulation. If that’s the case for you, just be moderate in your vibrator usage. If you’ve never had a non-vibrator orgasm, try tucking your vibrator into your bedside table for a while and learning how to orgasm in other ways . If you can orgasm without a vibrator, try masturbating about half of the time with your vibrator and half the time with your hands. A little moderation is all you need!
Have any other questions about masturbation? We’re doing a series of articles about it , so feel free to reach out if there’s a masturbation topic you’d like to see covered!
Vanessa Marin is a licensed psychotherapist (#78931) specializing in sex therapy. It’s her mission to take the intimidation out of sex therapy and bring the fun back into the bedroom. Have questions about sex? You can reach her at vanessa.marin@lifehacker.com , or at VMTherapy.com.
Lifehacker: After Hours is a new blog aiming to improve your sex life. Follow us on Twitter here .
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“The clit, the clit, the clit, the clit!"
Seriously, why is there no female version of the masturbation scene in American Pie ? That minute of cinematic magic normalized the bizarre masturbation habits of guys everywhere. Now, it's time for ladies to embrace that same desire to get freaky however they please.
There are so many ways to explore the inner (and outer) workings of your bod—from trying new masturbation moves , to exploring different vibrator settings, or experimenting with sex toys.
Need some inspo for where to explore next—and how? These 10 women are sharing their favorite techniques:
“The clit, the clit, the clit, the clit! If you don’t know where it is, you better find it! Just get in touch with that thing and BOOM. Your life will be changed forever.” —Jessica, 26
“I like to put a blanket or t-shirt between my vagina and my vibrator. It deadens the feelings a little bit in a way that feels like another person is touching me. I do this while watching some seriously raunchy porn. I won’t get into the kind of porn because…awkward! But it works!” —Malia*, 24
“I'm in a long-distance relationship, and we see each other about once a month for a long weekend. Since we can't be together as often as we'd like, phone sex and masturbation obviously happen a lot. A couple of things that help both of us:
“One: We have a shared, private Dropbox folder where we upload sexy pics and videos. Watching him get himself off is very arousing, and it gives me clues about what he likes, for the next time we're together.
“Two: We intentionally leave clothing (pajamas, underwear...) at each other's homes. Smelling him on one of his t-shirts definitely gets me in the mood, if I'm not already.” —Frankie*, 36
“Find a vibrator that works for you and marry it. I went through a bunch of sex toys before I found a vibrator that does it for me every time. The thought of not having it or it breaking gives me serious anxiety. No thanks!” —Hannah, 29
“I really enjoy my favorite clit-vibe. It’s a small toy, but it is powerful! I just stick it right on my clit. I can have an orgasm in a few minutes flat. It’s the best way to relax ever. It’s better than sex.” —Britney, 29
“I need penetration to orgasm. I always have. So, sometimes masturbating is hard. Or, I guess it WAS hard for many years. All my friends thought I was weird for not just ‘rubbing one out.’
“I’ve finally got it down and I’m hoping other women will appreciate this info. I use a suction dildo, one of those dildos that can stick to a wall or floor or wherever—but I put it on a chair. That way I can lower myself onto it, cowgirl-style. I then use my hand to get my clitoris in on it, too. It works great for me!” —Michelle, 32
“I like to come down from the top of the clitoris. If I put anything right on it (even during sex), it’s kind of a bit too much, you know? If I approach the clitoris sort of from a downward angle with a vibrator, it gives me all the pressure I need to come, but without making it so over the top that I can’t get there. I also like experimenting with different kinds of vibrators and really take my time with it." —Angie, 36
“I don’t know if this is cheesy, but I set a whole mood for myself. I light candles, have a special playlist, and take a long hot bath. I guess I’d say it’s seducing myself. If I want to enjoy masturbation, it needs to be a complete experience or I don’t like it as much. It’s especially great when I’m in a bad mood or have had a really stressful day. I remind myself that I’m sexy and it feels really good.” —Julia, 28
“My girlfriend and I usually masturbate together, which is hot. It’s sexy to see her touch herself and it definitely turns her on to watch me. We sometimes watch porn, but mostly it’s just the two of us. I even think about the times we’ve gotten off solo-but-together when we’re having partner sex sometimes. It’s just so hot and weirdly voyeuristic.” —Janis*, 30
“To be honest, my best technique for masturbation is just doing it a lot. The more you masturbate, the better it gets. At least, for me. I try to keep it consistent as much as possible. I’ll be lying in bed and think, ‘Oh, I haven’t masturbated in a few days!’ So, I grab my vibe and go for it. If I go more than a week or so without using my vibrator, I find it harder to get off next time I get around to it.” —Lily*, 29
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