What are the various types of sex toys available?
There are literally thousands of different sex toys available on the market. Some of the most frequently encountered are as follows:
Vibrators
(also known as vibes or personal massagers) are objects that vibrate (move continuously/buzz) in order to stimulate the genitals. Using vibrators to stimulate their clitoris and other parts of their vulva and vagina is extremely common among women. However, vibrators can also be used to stimulate the penis, scrotum, and testicles, as well as the nipples and anus. Vibrators are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are intended for use inside the vaginal or anus region, while others are intended for use outside the body.
Dildos
are objects that are placed inside the vaginal, anus, or oral cavity. Dildos are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they are most commonly shaped like a penis. Some have the appearance of realistic penises, while others are more abstract. They can also be slightly curved to aid in the stimulation of your g-spot or prostate, if necessary. In addition to silicone and rubber, Dildos can be made from a variety of other materials such as plastic, metal, and break-resistant glass.
Specifically designed to stimulate and/or go inside your anus, anal toys are a type of sexual toy. Plugs (also known as butt plugs), anal beads, prostate massagers, and dildos with a wide base are some of the anal toys available. To use anal toys safely, you must first apply lube to your skin. And it’s critical that any toy you put in your buttocks has a flared base (which means it’s wider at the bottom) or some other mechanism for pulling the toy out so that it doesn’t accidentally slip all the way in by accident. If a sex toy gets all the way inside your buttocks, it may become stuck and you may need to visit the doctor to have it removed.
Strokers
(also known as masturbation sleeves, penis sleeves, or strokers) are a type of soft tube into which you insert your penis. Sleeves are available in a variety of styles and sizes, and many of them feature different textures on the inside for added sensation. Some have even been known to have vibration or suction. There are also strokers that are specifically designed for people who have a larger clitoris or a smaller penis, such as intersex people or trans men who are on hormone therapy, among other things.
Penis rings
(also known as cock rings, erectile dysfunction rings, or constriction rings) are rings that are worn around the scrotum and/or penis to improve erectile function. Because penis rings slow blood flow out of the penis when it’s erect (hard), they can increase sensation or make your erection harder and longer-lasting, depending on your preference. The safest penis rings are made of soft, flexible materials that can be easily removed, such as silicone, rubber, or leather with snaps, and are not attached to the penis. Some penis rings have small vibrators attached to them, which can be used to stimulate you and/or your partner. Because penis rings restrict blood flow, they should not be worn for more than 10-30 minutes at a time, and they should be removed immediately if you experience any pain or discomfort. You should also consult with your nurse or doctor if you have a bleeding disorder or are taking blood-thinning medication prior to using penis rings.
Penis pumps
(also known as vacuum erection pumps, penis pumps, or vacuum erection pumps) — These devices, which are similar to vacuums, create suction around your penis, clitoris, vulva, or nipples with the help of a hand or battery-powered pump. Pumps help to increase blood flow to the area, which helps to increase sensitivity and sensation in the affected area. Some people enjoy the sensation of being suctioned as well. Penis pumps can assist you in obtaining an erection, but they will not permanently increase the size of your penis. Some pumps are designed to assist in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, genital arousal disorder, and orgasm disorder; you can find out more about these pumps from a nurse or doctor, such as those at your local Planned Parenthood health centre, who can provide you with more information. However, the vast majority of the pumps available for purchase in sex shops and adult shops are not medical devices; rather, they are intended to increase pleasure during sex and masturbation. Don’t pump for any longer than recommended on the packaging, and make sure to follow the directions on the packaging carefully! Also, if you have a blood disorder or are taking blood-thinning medication, consult your doctor before using a pump to avoid complications.
Ben Wa balls
(also known as Kegel balls, Kegel trainers, vagina balls, and orgasm balls) are round objects that are placed inside the vaginal opening. Your Kegel muscles can be toned and strengthened with the assistance of a trained professional (aka pelvic floor muscles). In most cases, kegel balls are weighted, which means you must squeeze your vagina in order to keep them inside your body. A few of them are hollow, with smaller balls inside that roll and bounce when you move, giving the sensation of jiggling when you do so. You don’t need these balls to perform Kegel exercises, and not everyone uses them for that purpose — many people simply enjoy the sensation they give them inside their vaginal cavity.
Packagers
(also known as prosthetics) are objects that have the appearance and feel of a realistic penis (typically soft), and which cause a “bulge” in your underwear or clothes. Some packers will also allow you to pee while standing up (called stand-to-pee or STP packers). Many transgender, genderqueer, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming people use packers to help them affirm or express their gender identity or to help them conceal their gender identity. Packers, like any other person’s genitals, are not always sexually explicit or used for sex. However, some packers can be worn bent down or sticking up, giving them the appearance of both a non-erect (soft) penis and an erect (hard) penis, and they can be used for sex in this manner.
A packer, dildo, or other sex toy is held against your body by harnesses (also known as straps or strap-on harnesses) — garments that are worn around your waist. Some are worn underwear-style or as jock straps, while others are worn around other parts of your body, such as your thigh or calf.
Knowing where to begin can be difficult because there are so many different types of sex toys and applications for them to choose from. Going to a sex toy shop and speaking with a member of the staff about different products can be a great way to learn more about sex toys and determine which ones might be the best match for you. You can also start with something that looks interesting and work your way up from there. Alternatively, you may decide that sex toys are not for you, which is perfectly acceptable. The point is that there are numerous options for various body types and various types of sex — so no matter who you are or what kinds of sex you have, sex toys can be a viable option for you.
What is the safest way to use sex toys?
It is possible to spread STDs by sharing sex toys with other people. For example, if someone who has an STD uses a sex toy, the body fluids on that sex toy can infect the next person who comes into contact with that item. If you’re using a sex toy with a partner, it’s important to take precautions to avoid contracting a sexually transmitted disease.
After using your sex toys and before allowing them to come into contact with another person’s genitals, wash them with mild soap and water. Put condoms on your sexual toys to help keep them clean and prevent the spread of STDs and other diseases. Just make sure you change the condoms before the toy comes into contact with someone else’s genitals.
If you’re going to use a sex toy in your anus, make sure to lubricate it thoroughly. In contrast to the vagina, the anus does not lubricate itself (get wet), so putting something in your buttocks without first applying lube can be painful, uncomfortable, and potentially dangerous. And never put a sex toy into a vagina after it has been in an anus without first washing it or changing the condom. Getting vaginitis can occur if germs from your anus get into your vaginal canal and cause inflammation.
If you use a sex toy in your anus, make sure it has a wide base or some other method of preventing it from going all the way in. If a sex toy becomes lodged so deeply in your anus that you are unable to remove it, you may need to see a nurse or doctor to have it removed. (You won’t be able to lose a sex toy in your vagina because your cervix prevents it from reaching the end.)
When it comes to silicone sex toys (unless you put condoms on them), silicone lube should not be used because it can react with the solid silicone in the toy and cause it to break down. The use of water-based lube with any sex toy is considered to be a safe bet (and any condom).
For use inside your body (mouth, vagina, or anus), it’s best to use a sex toy made of a body-safe, non-porous material such as 100 percent silicone (not silicone blends), hard plastic, stainless steel, aluminium, or break-resistant glass (not tempered glass). Toys made of non-porous materials do not collect germs and are therefore easier to clean than other types of toys.
In spite of the fact that you wash your sex toy after every use, sex toys made of porous materials — such as silicone blends or jelly rubber — can absorb germs that can cause infections. In any case, you can use a condom on your toy to help it stay clean and to keep any potentially infectious germs on it out of your body completely.
Read the instructions that came with your sex toy or ask the staff at your local sex toy store for the most effective method of cleaning and caring for your sex toy.
The best option is to use sex toys that are designed exclusively for sex purposes, especially if you’re going to be putting them inside your body for an extended period of time. Homemade sex toys may not be safe, especially if they are brittle or breakable, have rough or sharp edges, or are made of materials that are unsanitary or can cause an allergic reaction.
