Vibrators Main Stream and Beyond …
By Sara Twogood, MD
Vibrators are becoming commonly discussed and widely available– they’re selling them at the Targets and Walmarts of the world.
The economics of sex toys shows this popularity. In 2022, the sex toy industry in its entirety, worldwide, had an estimated valuation of about $41 billion worldwide. Vibrators themselves are seeing huge growth potential with an estimation of $33.4 billion by the year 2030. So yes, we will be seeing more and more vibrators and I’m here to promote them too!
Why? More people are talking about the importance of sexual health – including us at Female Health Education. And because of this discussion, a formerly “taboo” topic is taboo no longer – leading to more conversations, more empowerment, and more people spending money to help themselves celebrate and enhance their sex function.
This movement did not happen overnight – it has been in the works for decades (centuries?).
Let me demonstrate with my favorite examples:
Early 1960s: Hitachi Wand is brought to market.
It’s the first “sports massager” widely available and was widely embraced as a vibrator in the 1970s, much to the company’s chagrin. They stopped production under the Hitachi name, but “The Original Magic Wand” is still available and is marketed for what it is – an excellent vibrator!
1990s: Sex and The City.
The truly groundbreaking show where all things sex came to the small screen (in addition to Manolo Blahnik becoming a household name). My favorite piece of gossip about this show is the writer’s room rule – any idea brought forth had to be based on a lived experience, known personally to the writer or someone they knew. That’s why the show felt so real – it actually was.
There are 3 specific episodes that I think of when it comes to vibrators; if you’re a fan (like me) or not (I get it too!) please go watch.
Season 1 Episode 9 : After another break up, Charlotte is introduced to “The Rabbit” vibrator and becomes so obsessed with it she stops going out and seeing her friends. Friends stage an intervention to get her out of the house.
Season 5, Episode 6 : Samantha’s vibrator breaks and she goes back to Sharper Image for … you guessed it … the Hitachi Wand. Lots of women are sheepishly shopping for “back massagers” and Samantha, as a pro, helps them pick out the best.
Season 3 Episode 13 : Samantha meets the dildo model of her favorite vibrator. Turns out she doesn’t actually like the emotions and attachment that comes with the real thing.
2000s: GOOP.
Say what you will about the faux-spirituality fake news of this company … they have some real good stuff too. Their vibrator is one of them.
It was impossible to ignore the topic when a billion dollar making, Oscar winning, original nepo baby made and promoted her vibrator with ease and pride. Thanks Gwyneth!
2010/2020s: Vibrators make their move from the “entertainment industry” into the medical literature.
My female urology colleagues at Cedars published an article just recently about “The Role of Vibrators in Women’s Pelvic Health”.
The study? They recruited (mostly via social media) a group of women interested in using vibrators for this study. These women used the vibrator for 5-10 min, 2-3x per week for 3 months. Questionnaires and physical exams were done before and after the vibrator use to look for changes to sexual health and dysfunction, mental health, and other gynecologic concerns (pelvic organ prolapse, vaginal atrophy, vulvar disorders).
Their findings? An improvement of sexual function and a decrease in prolapse symptoms and pain. Rates of depression were also decreased too!
The primary conclusion? “Vibrator use was associated with improved sexual, genitourinary, and mental health”.
And this is not the only study in the medical literature that shows vibrators can be helpful for pelvic floor and vulvar issues. Other studies have shown similar benefits!
What’s the point of all this?
To show you vibrators are nothing to be embarrassed or shy about! They’re everywhere and have been for a while.
Next week I’m giving tips on buying vibrators – what to look for, where to buy them, and more!
Stay tuned.