National Masturbation Month: The history of the vibrator
Sam, the founder of a spicy audio membership club called Best Kept Secret, recommends the TENGA GEO Coral for men (or folks with penises) who want to be discreet and still have a good time. It has an oversized, flat tip that sits snugly against your G-spot, and unlike other internal vibrators, this one isn’t so big that you’ll have a hard time getting it in or out. If using lube, I do suggest a water-based lubricant to ensure everything slips in smoothly.
Fast-forward to the 1950s, when one company began marketing the Vibra Finger “Gum Massager” (uh-huh). Featuring a “full-size” finger attached to an electric base, the massager was dentist approved. The money-back guarantee is nice, but we have a feeling no one ever took advantage of it.
In 200 AD, doctors prescribed female genital massage as a form of treatment for hysteria (ugh vibrator, don’t get me started). But in what was one of the least surprising moves of all time, they complained that the method was “too labor intensive” and “messy” and put an end to it. The hand crank—the earliest constructed sex toy—came along in 1890, and it was followed by a number of similar inventions, like 1904’s gas-powered “Pneumatic Detwiller” and 1920’s porn-inspired “Polar Cub Electric.”
We spoke to sex experts and sex educators to answer the biggest questions about these sex toys and break down the very best panty vibes for your (uniquely private) pleasure. For far too long, sex toys missed the mark, especially when it came to people with vulvas. Studies have repeatedly shown that people with vulvas need clitoral stimulation to orgasm, but it wasn’t until 2014 that the first clitoral suction toy hit the market. These days many suction toys (also called clit suckers) have been designed by the people using them.
The classic design combines flexible ears that tickle the clit with a curved vibrating arm that pulses against the G-spot. As a bonus, each arm has its own motor, so you can control them separately. Plus, it has a travel lock, which is “great if you’re a traveler and don’t want to run into any surprises at TSA,” Dr. O’Reilly says.
Even if you don’t struggle to have an orgasm, but just want more data on the ones you have, this is your best bet. Of course, you’ll have to be OK with using a vibrator that collects anonymous data about you. With five speed settings and seven vibration pattern options, it’ll work for most people’s stimulation preferences. The soft-touch silicone and jewel-toned color makes it look far more sophisticated than many inexpensive plastic vibrators out there. For obvious reasons, finding an appropriate and enjoyable toy for that period just after you’ve had a baby can be challenging.
But for the purposes of this article, let’s assume you just want to incorporate some basic balls-based pleasure into sex or masturbation and don’t know where to start. “With the balls being so intimidating, I find that simpler is better,” Zizelman points out. There’s a surprising number of toys that work well for precisely that purpose. While we love this surprisingly rumbly bullet all on its own, in this nifty set it’s packaged with two attachments that can turn it into either a vibrating cock ring or an ergonomic finger vibe. The kit gives you a lot of options for the price, especially since you can use this toy in so many varying ways.
The study mentioned above from Indiana University does bolster this fact and notes that side effects are rare, and those that do occur don’t tend to last. Over 70 percent of respondents said they experienced no negative side effects from vibrator use, with 3 percent reporting pain. We can’t say for sure if this was from incorrect use or underlying medical conditions, of course, but both those factors definitely can contribute to negative side effects from vibrator use. Womanizer’s Vibe is completely noiseless making it perfect for travel or busy parents who don’t want their activities to be known to the rest of the house.
Some are meant for external use while others are intended for penetration or G-spot stimulation. “This hands-free thrusting dildo comes in a realistic shape. It has a tapered shaft for a more comfortable glide, and it’s very quiet,” Zane says. Along with thrusting, the toy also has a pulsation feature that massages the internal clitoris for deep, satisfying orgasms. It includes the labia majora, labia minora, the urethra , and the clitoris. As the center of the erogenous nerves of the vulva, the clitoris has somewhere between 9,852 to 11,086 never endings, according to new research.
Or put a towel or blanket between you and your toy, or keep your underwear on. (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. I like it because it’s simple and intuitive to use, fits in the hand nicely, and packs a punch despite looking cutesy. 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.