They just have a little time, you know? I'm not talking about the clear pink bunny vibrator made of jelly latex, which many of us still think of when you read the word "vibrator."
No - I'm not talking about that. All kinds of vibrators: bullet vibrators, pendant vibrators, wand vibrators, penis vibrators, dual stimulation vibrators, g-spot vibrators, vibrating plugs, vibrators of any definition other than "non-internal vibrators".
The sex toy industry is growing faster than most of us can make room on our nightstands, but it's not just because we talk about orgasm equality and sexual pleasure like never before. That's because sex toys (and vibrators, first of all) are touted as a cure for everything from low self-esteem to insomnia and menstrual cramps to chronic dryness.
Vibrators are officially a health commodity.
This is (necessarily) not a bad thing. Orgasm is associated with a variety of positive health outcomes, including a more restful night's sleep (thanks to prolactin) and pain relief (thanks to you, endorphins, too). The benefits of orgasm are more than we currently know, and if most people with clitoris only orgasm when their clitoris is stimulated, it makes sense that we would turn to tools (like vibrators) to help of.
Lnsomnia
Some nights you're happy to stay up until dawn, and some nights you ask yourself "how the hell did I get here?" If you find yourself in the second group often, you may experience insomnia, a sleep disorder whose Characterized by an inability to fall asleep (or stay asleep).
Orgasm lowers levels of cortisol, a stress-related hormone, and also releases prolactin. The combination of the two hormonal changes can help you feel more relaxed, which in turn can actually help you fall asleep and actually stay asleep.
Verdict: Yes, as long as you orgasm with a vibrator, it can help you fall asleep.
Warning: If you use an app on your phone to control your vibrator, blue light's wakeful effects on your brain may counteract the sleepiness from your lovely hormones.
Chronic dryness
Which came first, the chicken or the egg? (The answer is always "no one cares", by the way). Chronic vaginal dryness is an uncomfortable form of atrial fibrillation, and it doesn't just affect menopausal people.
If you are taking antidepressants or allergy medication, due to a chronic yeast infection or using harsh soaps on the vulva, if you are taking hormonal birth control pills or are receiving testosterone treatment, you may experience chronic vaginal dryness, if you are simply dehydrated , or... for many other reasons. In short, your vagina will likely continue to be dry at some point -- even when you're thirsty.
A 2016 study of 70 (cisgender) women found that two-thirds of the participants experienced increased vaginal lubrication after three months of vibrator use.
Conclusion: Using a vibrator can help your vagina produce more lubrication on its own.
Warning: You should always use lube when you use a vibrator, otherwise you may create tiny tears in your skin, which may actually lead to more long-term irritation. Therefore, the first thing to do is to buy high-quality lubricants.
Anorgasmia
If you feel like an orgasm is always running away, then you may be experiencing an orgasm—or simply, a lack of it. Anorgasmia can result from a history of stress and trauma, to diminished neural responses, and the fact that you or your partner simply don't know how to help you orgasm.
Vibrators provide intense stimulation, so if you've been struggling to orgasm (and you want to have one), adding a vibrator to your sex kit can help.
Verdict: A vibrator might help with this, but it's not as simple as it seems.
Warning: Depending on the underlying cause, a vibrator may not help you orgasm. It's worth a try, but if it doesn't help you, that's okay.
Recovery from sexual trauma
Sexual violence is not uncommon, and while we have come a long way in talking about it, we still rarely talk about its aftermath. After experiencing sexual trauma, many people experience a range of sexual difficulties, including - but certainly not only - sexual avoidance.
As a sex educator and victim advocate, sex toys are a frequent question to me, so let's jump right to the answer here.
Conclusion: If you are recovering from sexual trauma, vibrators and other sex toys can be useful tools to help you regain a sense of control and autonomy over your body.
Warning: this is only part of sexual trauma healing, and I wouldn't consider it a starting point (although maybe you will). You should address all parts of your recovery journey. .
Menstrual cramps
what. Ibuprofen, heating pads, and Epsom salt baths can only take us so far, so it would be great if a vibrator could help ease menstrual cramps. And, thanks to the combination of pelvic floor contractions and endorphins released during orgasm, they can!
Conclusion: Yes, if you use a vibrator to orgasm, it may help relieve menstrual cramps.
A word of caution: If you typically experience cramps or mild pain during or after orgasm, using a vibrator during your period may make you feel more uncomfortable.
Headache
Whether your headaches are caused by your kids, a stressful job, or a combination of both, you're probably in the market for something that can help relieve that annoying pain. You may be familiar with the "no tonight honey, I have a headache" analogy, but is it actually a step backwards? Can sex help headaches? Maybe. But it's really only possible.
Conclusion: maybe. Some people say orgasms relieve their headaches, and you may be one of them.
A word of caution: Some people say that orgasms make their headaches worse, and some people often get headaches after orgasms. So err on the side of caution - if you're part of the second group, it's worth talking to your doctor.
Vaginal atrophy
Nope, not giving your vagina a trophy (though it deserves one, tbh). According to the Mayo Clinic's definition, vaginal atrophy is "thinning, dryness, and inflammation of the vaginal wall that can occur when estrogen in your body decreases." It usually happens when you start menopause, but it can also happen to vaginal patients receiving testosterone regimens.
Vaginal atrophy can make penetration painful (or even impossible), but does vibration really help?
Conclusion: Sex and orgasm stimulate blood flow to the pelvis, increase lubrication, and help relieve symptoms of atrophy. but…
WARNING: You should never use the vibrator without lube, and I don't recommend using the internal vibrator directly if you're already experiencing severe atrophy symptoms. Talk to your doctor about complementary therapies you can also try.
Self-confidence
Sure, you can do a powerful pose, but why not bring some confidence to your life? Many sex toy companies have updated their websites, packaging and advertisements to include messages of self-love and confidence. But when you unbox a toy, can you really unbox it with confidence? kinda.
Masturbation was positively associated with higher rates of self-esteem and sexual satisfaction, two components of self-confidence. So, you can jump up and say that using a vibrator can improve your self-confidence.
Conclusion: Taking control of your sexual satisfaction can inspire confidence, at least in the bedroom.
A word of caution: Your new vibrator may help you orgasm in 90 seconds or less, but confidence won't come as quickly. It's a mindset and environment shift that takes time - so don't expect immediate results.
Leave a bad relationship
Some happy positive influencers will say that the key to not maintaining a bad relationship is to have a good, fully charged vibrator on your nightstand. But, uh... much more complicated than that. People are in unhealthy relationships for many reasons, and your vibrator probably won't help you get out of one.
Conclusion: A vibrator probably won't help you get out of a bad relationship.
A word of caution: A vibrator may help you make a more balanced decision about who you want to have sex with, which in turn may make you feel more physically and emotionally satisfied.
Frustrated
Whether seasonal or year-round, depression is a nasty dark cloud that interrupts your sex life and just about everything else. So if you're experiencing depression, can vibrators and other sex toys really help clear the cloud?
An orgasm releases a bunch of hormones that trigger positive emotions—oxytocin, dopamine, and endorphins. This means that they can cause high emotions. But, as we know, depression isn't a mood—it's a more common mental health disorder than grumpiness.
Conclusion: A vibrator can help you to orgasm, which boosts your mood.
A word of caution: Orgasms and vibrators are not a panacea for depression, but a mood boost can help make your day easier (combined with therapy and potentially medication).
So, no, your vibrator won't cure every ailment you might have. However, it doesn't matter. A vibrator can help you have an orgasm, and an orgasm can make you feel good. Invest in one for its health benefits, or just because you want to give your hands a break - it's your life, so you be you.