Let’s Talk Sex Toys: Do You Need Them?

Brinda sat on the edge of her bed and stared at the package that was delivered earlier. She could not bring herself to open it. Straight A student. College, internships, a great job. She has done well for herself.

Even now, her room had books strewn over the floor; clothes hanging precariously from every elevated surface. She lives alone, but she prefers it that way. Lately, however, there have been other needs that have unknowingly crept up. She eyes the box again, almost unable to face it.

Brinda has never talked with anyone about sexual needs. She definitely could not have imagined herself using a vibrator. But there was a little voice that crept up unexpectedly and asked her what the harm would be. For that, she had no answer.

Now, she clutched the box with both hands, feeling a tiny bit of thrill and a whole lot of terror. All she had to do was simply follow the instructions from the manual. Much like her trusty books that have taught her everything. She sat up straight and squared her shoulders. She got this.

Sex toys or pleasure toys are used to increase sexual stimulation and provide sexual pleasure. Their sole purpose is to increase sexual pleasure. It is wholly safe to use sex toys, but it is also a personal decision.

1. Helps in Your Sexual Awakening

Let’s address the number one benefit, if I may say so myself. A lot of us do not completely understand our bodies or the entirety of our desires. This is especially true of women.

Up to 50% of women report difficulty reaching orgasm. While there may be other underlying factors, more often than not, the ability to reach an orgasm is psychological.

Sex can be complex to navigate, and there are feelings of vulnerability and emotional distress that could factor in during the act, making orgasm feel elusive.

Sex toys are designed with the sole purpose of providing sexual stimulation. It gets. The job. Done.

2. Opens up the Path to Communication With Your Partner

Our relationship with our partner dictates our health - mental, physical, and sexual. Talking about sex can be difficult. Sex toys can actually open up a path to communication between people.

To understand what you like, what you don’t, new fantasies and how to make your overall experience better and more pleasurable. Sex toys can be fun, and especially for people who are in long-term relationships, they can benefit from using them together.

There is a taboo about using sex toys when in a relationship, as some people view it as a sort of replacement. But sex toys are much more than that. It is there to maximise your pleasure. It can spice up your relationship and bring you closer together.

3. Helps in Case of Low Libido or Sexual Performance Problems

Low libido is an extremely prevalent problem that affects up to one in five men and even more women at some point in their lives. Anxiety, stress, depression, hormonal problems, medication, old age - there could be a number of reasons why you may have low libido.

Sex toys like vibrators can provide various types of sexual stimulation. This can especially be helpful for individuals experiencing reduced sexual sensation, low libido, or difficulty reaching orgasm.

Not just low libido, but a lot of people also suffer from sexual problems like erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation. Sex toys could be very helpful in such situations.

Using constriction rings could help a man keep his erection for longer and delay ejaculation. There are also specially designed male vibrators that can help to stimulate nerve endings and help men get an erection.

4. Helps Treat Menopausal Symptoms

Sex toys help you orgasm. It creates intense stimulation of the nerves and helps to increase blood flow to the vaginal area, which could help with some of the vaginal conditions like vaginal atrophy, vaginal pain or loss of arousal.

In a study comprising of menopausal women, sex toys also seemed to improve sleep and menopausal sweating.

Using a slim internal vibrator with a good lubricant might just be the answer to all your problems!

5. Helps You Sleep

Masturbation sex - all help you drift off to a sound sleep. This is because orgasm releases oxytocin, prolactin, serotonin and endorphins, to name a few.

These have a soothing effect on your body and can lull you into a comatose state of bliss. It relaxes us to the point where it's almost impossible not to fall asleep.

However, most women have difficulty experiencing an orgasm, and this is where sex toys come in handy. Have a long day ahead of you and having difficulty sleeping? It’s time to dim out the lights and fish out your favourite vibrator!

Why need a partner if you can get all of the perks on your own? Seems like the ideal setup, right? What are the benefits of having a partner without dealing with the ridiculous stress of being in a relationship? You can ‘come’ and go at any time, am I right?

But before you completely throw out the concept of a relationship out of the window, let’s take a beat.

There is much more to a relationship than just sex. You can still get a boost of those lovely hormones like oxytocin and endorphins through other forms of intimacy with your partner, like hugging, kissing, or simply holding hands. You can feel loved, supported, and validated in a loving relationship.

If you consider sex toys to be a replacement for a partner, it’s probably time to rethink the relationship.

When selecting a sex toy, it's best to choose "skin-safe" options made from materials like silicone, toughened glass, metal, or ABS plastic, as some toys are made from substances that could harm sexual health. You should avoid jelly-like material, rubber or cheap plastic.

The safest material that you could go for is silicone, so make sure that you are using water-based lubricant along with it.

Apart from that, it’s important to do your research on the kind of toy(there are quite a few options out there!) you want to use and make sure you read the instructions carefully.

Sex toys can be a powerful tool for exploring and accepting your own body. They help you understand more about your body and what brings you pleasure. They can be used with or without a partner. They can help you tap into the pool of feel-good hormones and reduce anxiety and stress.

Using them does not mean you have an inadequate sex life. It is not something immoral or taboo but rather a healthy addition to your sexual well-being.

Q. Does using a vibrator often make sex less fulfilling?

No. You can use a vibrator and still be able to enjoy sex with a partner.

Q. How to care for sex toys?

It's important to always wash your sex toys after each use. It is always best to use non-porous materials, such as warm water and soap, to clean your goods.

Q. Can I use sex toys with a partner?

You can use sex toys alone or with a partner. There is an assortment of options available, and it's best to do your own research to understand what best suits your needs.

Q. How can I use sex toys safely?

You should always use a condom on sex toys if you are sharing it with another person so it can help prevent STIs. Washing your toys after each use with mild soap and warm water is also a good practice.

You can use lube with your toys, but make sure that you do not use silicone lube with silicone sex toys. It is best to use water-based lube with all sex toys!

Q. What are some of my options?

Vibrators, suction and vibration, dildos, anal toys, sleeves, penis rings and pumps are some of many.