Owning a sex toy is like having a well stocked fridge, it is basically something that everyone should have. When it comes to talking about sex, we do so openly with our friends. We talk about who we are doing it with, how we are doing it, and how often we are doing it.
But there is a key aspect of our sex lives that we don’t always pay enough attention to, and I’m not just talking about casually skipping that sexual health check up – I am talking about sex toys. Sex toys are fantastic. Sex toys are great. Sex toys are magnificent. In fact, every single consenting adult should be the proud owner of a sex toy.
HEALTH BENEFITS YOU’LL GET FROM USING A VIBRATOR 1. A vibrator can help you sleep soundly
While your trusty vibrator isn’t something you’d want to cuddle up to for comfort at night, an orgasm before bed can do wonders for shuteye. “Having an orgasm can lead to sounder, better-quality sleep, thanks to the fact that when you climax you produce the sleep-inducing hormone, prolactin,” says Annabelle Knight, sex and relationship expert with Lovehoney. “So, theoretically, you should enjoy better and more restful sleep after an orgasm. And, with a good night’s sleep under your belt, you’ll be better equipped to face the day.”
2. It can help you beat stress
An orgasm can improve your mental health and happiness. “When you climax, you produce hormones called oxytocin and serotonin,” explains Annabelle. “These hormones are known as the ‘feel-good’ hormones because they are linked to happiness. Regular boosts of these hormones through orgasms with a vibrator can contribute towards feeling less stressed and more positive.”
3. A vibrator is good for your heart
Those endorphins do more than just make you feel good – they also help to prevent heart problems by naturally neutralising your stress hormones. Research in Israel found that women who had two orgasms per week were 30% less likely to have heart disease. 4. It can keep your vagina healthy
Regularly using a vibrator can help maintain the walls of the vagina. This is because, when aroused, the lining of the vagina produces secretions, which helps to provide moisture to this area. “This helps to increase vaginal elasticity, which is one of the ways our vaginas stay healthy,” says Annabelle. It can also help prevent infections in the cervix and urinary tract through the process of opening the cervix, which occurs during arousal. This stretches the cervix and allows unwanted cervical fluids to be flushed out.
5. It can help you beat pain
“Lots of women report that regular orgasms aid in the relief of period pains and cramps,” says Annabelle. And forget putting off using your vibrator because you have a headache – it can help with that, too. This is because the area of the brain involved in pain reduction is highly activated during arousal and endorphins are released, which can soothe nerve impulses that cause migraines or joint pain.
6. You’ll expand your pleasure horizons
Just want to have some fun? Using a vibrator will definitely help!“A vibrator is a great way to expand your pleasure horizons, especially if you choose one with different settings and modes,” says Annabelle. Not sure which one to try? Go for a rabbit vibrator. “They’re one of the only surefire ways to enjoy stimulation, both internally and externally. This will increase your chances of hitting all your hot spots, resulting in mind-blowing pleasure and intense orgasms aplenty,” says Annabelle. “All research from Lovehoney shows that couples with good sex lives enjoy better overall happiness. So, investing in a vibrator won’t just improve your sex life, but life in general.”
The global sex toy industry is worth more than $15 billion a year and research suggests that almost half the British population admit to owning at least one product. We go beyond the pleasure principle to examine the health benefits of sex toys.
The sex toy industry is abuzz with 'good vibrations' and the purchase and use of sex toys is becoming ever more mainstream. Studies conducted at Indiana University in the USA found that 53% of women and 45% of men aged between 18-65 years had used a vibrator, and that vibrator use is associated with improved sexual function and being more proactive about sexual health. As well as offering pleasure and fun, sex toys can be a useful adjunct to medical treatment.
For women
Former nurse Samantha Evans is co-founder and managing director of sex toy company Jo Divine. She says an increasing number of customers are looking for products to help with specific health conditions:
"Sex toys can be helpful in the treatment of menopausal symptoms such as vaginal atrophy; vulval/vaginal pain and tightness (due to vaginismus, vulvodynia, lichen sclerosus, gynae cancer treatments and surgical interventions; neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis; lack of arousal, and low libido."
Some medications can also impact upon sexual function and pleasure in both men and women, including cancer treatments, antidepressants, antihistamines, and blood pressure and heart medicines.
Dr Stephanie de Giorgio, a GP with a special interest in women's health, recommends the use of sex toys for certain health issues.
"One unexpected benefit of sex toy use, seen in a study of menopausal women, was an improvement in sleep and overnight menopausal sweating", she says. "There is also some evidence that the use of slim internal vibrators with plenty of good-quality vaginal lubricant can help to increase blood flow to the vaginal area, improving the symptoms of some vaginal conditions. Some research suggests that women prefer to use slim vaginal vibrators rather than the more clinical dilators that are often prescribed. This can complement other treatments that may be recommended, such as local anaesthetic gels, medication and psychological therapies."
Vibrators can create different types of sexual stimulation, which can be beneficial when there is decreased sexual sensation, low libido or an inability to enjoy orgasm.
"Using a slim vibrator can help to stretch the tissues of the vagina to enable penetration without pain and the vibrations increase blood flow to the walls of the vagina, promoting healing, stimulating nerves and improving lubrication," adds Evans.
