Everything you need to know to buy your first (or another) vibrator
By Sara Twogood, MD
If you feel like vibrators are showing up everywhere you’re right
TVs shows, Instagram everywhere, even making it slyly into Architectural Digest. (see Cara Delevingne’s photoshoot a few years back – check out what’s conspicuously “hiding” in the cabinet)
What’s our main point here?
Vibrators are nothing to be embarrassed or shy about! They’re everywhere and have been for a while.
Convince you to try a vibrator – either solo or with partnered sex! There’s lots of benefits.
Don’t know where to start? Want some tips to buying your first, or another, vibrator?
There are SO. MANY. OPTIONS.
When thinking of vibrator use, remember:
Sexual excitatory and inhibitory factors are different for each individual and change over time and in different situations. During the early part of arousal, a gentle indirect vibration may feel the best but right before orgasm a more intense direct stimulation may be needed, for example.
This is why there are a zillion options for vibrators!
This also means there is no one “best vibrator.” If you think there is one universal best then that company’s marketing agency has done a good job in making you think that!
How to find the right vibrator for you:
Think about how you want to use a vibrator:
What area of your body you want to play with or enhance, and what feels best to you. Aren’t sure? The vast majority of females (90%!!!) need clitoral stimulation to orgasm. When in doubt, get a vibrator that can stimulate the clitoris.
Do you want to use the vibrator with partnered sex or solo play? If partnered, what do you imagine? During intercourse or not? The size / shape of the vibrator will need to be considered!
Various sensory components to consider:
Types of stimulation: sucking, flicking, and vibration. What sounds the most appealing to you?
Intensity: consider how intense you like the sensation. The answer is probably different sensations at different points of sexual arousal. A small, narrow vibrator will stimulate a small area intensely versus a vibrator with bigger surface area will spread out the sensation a bit more.
Speeds: most people are happier with a few different speeds or vibration types because at different stages of arousal there are likely different preferences.
Think of vibrators as experimental. If this is your first vibrator, look for one with various settings or sensory components. A vibrator with varied vibrations and sensory components is most likely to enhance sexual wellness for the most number of people. See what you like and don’t like so you know where to focus your attention if/when buying another one in the future. Remember – this is not a one and done situation for most people.
Things to remember:
Sex toys need to be cleaned! How easy is it to rinse /wash the vibrator you’re choosing?
If using lubricant: silicone-based lube does not mix well with silicone vibrators. The silicone components stick to each other and can become sticky over time, even degrading the silicone of the vibrator. This doesn’t happen immediately but it’s a good way to ruin your vibrator. Water or oil based (coconut, jojoba oil) are better options!
If local to LA:
The Pleasure Chest. The people who are work here are knowledgeable, non-judgmental, and just plain helpful. They see it all and will ignore any red cheeks or signs of embarrassment. Highly recommend.
Online:
Good vibes. So many options and tons of information and tips on their blog and scattered throughout.