Ah, the humble vibrator. The buzzing bundle of joy that can cause orgasm with the same surety that night follows day and often at the speed of a Usain Bolt sprint. Vibrators are an absolute godsend to women who find it hard to tip over the edge in two ways.
- Vibrators can provide 'satisfaction-guaranteed' assurance.
- Vibrators take away the anxiety of 'not getting off'. This anxiety is often at the root of no-gasms, the kind of orgasms that are about to show up but leave the building quietly, and you are left unsatisfied...
For those whose find orgasms easier to come by, vibrators are simply the best labour-saving device ever invented. They are fantastic playthings to explore sexual pleasure and response.
Who would believe then that a simple vibrator, whose sole purpose is to provide sexual pleasure, is the cause of scaremongering myths and fake news?
Vibrator Myth: Using a vibe too much can cause damage, numbness, and make it harder to orgasm through other forms of stimulation
or the even scarier:
Fake News: Vibrators cause Dead Vagina Syndrome (DVS)
These myths are at the base of questions or anxieties that often come up, so let's break it down.
The first concept to question here is just what is ‘too much’? It’s such a vague term because it’s different for everyone. You only have to ask a few friends to discover that desires, libidos, and orgasmic capabilities vary.
How often and for how long you use your vibrator will depend on your sexual response and the amount of time you have to play. Whether it's a quickie before work or a long session on a lazy Sunday morning...
The benefits of orgasms are multi-fold. Orgasms release all sorts of beneficial chemicals in the body, helping you to relax, and making you feel amazing. Don’t worry about indulging in your vibrator "too much."
You most certainly cannot overdose on the feel-good factor that floods the body on orgasm.
How often is it OK to use my vibrator?
This is something we're asked regularly. The worry is nothing to do with how often it's OK to have an orgasm but with the pesky myths that vibrators can somehow cause damage to the clitoris, be a drug or minimise orgasmic capabilities.
So let's address the common questions and worries so you can get back to enjoying worry-free vibrations and exploring the pleasures your bedside buddy can give!
Will my vibrator numb my clitoris?
We’ve all heard the saying ‘having too much of a good thing,' but luckily, that’s not the case with vibrators. Customers often worry that their clitoris will become permanently numbed through the 'excessive use' of vibrating toys. We understand the concern - the clit is the only organ dedicated to sexual pleasure, and we all want to take good care of it!
There is no evidence to suggest that vibrators can cause permanent damage.
One of the few studies is a 2009 American survey published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. They surveyed 2,056 women (18 to 60 years old) about vibrator use (if any).
The study found that women who used vibrators were more gynecologically health-conscious and scored higher in the good stuff in the FSFI. FSFI is a clinical-trial questionnaire to measure sexual functioning in women las sexual arousal, orgasm, satisfaction, pain, and so on. The study also found that:
'"Negative side effects including numbness, pain, irritation, inflammation/swelling, and tears or cuts were rarely reported. The percentage of women who answered "never" to each of the five latter side effects was respectively: 83.5, 97.0, 90.1, 92, and 98.9."
Result: Vibrators are safe.
Vibrators are safe to use
The bottom line is that 70%+ of the women studied never experienced adverse side effects of playing with their vibrators.
According to this data, women who use vibrators were found to be more in tune with their genital health.
In the women who did report adverse side effects, the downsides were usually rare, of short duration and were just mild numbness, irritation, or inflammation.
The clitoral glans (the official name of the external part of the clitoris) is packed with nerve endings. With around 10.000 zingy receptors squeezed into the size of a pea, the clit is one of the most sensitive areas of the body. This is why stimulation here feels so good, but also why your clit can feel over-sensitive or de-sensitized after a particularly long play sesh.
There's been little research on the effects of vibration on the body. Whether on hands (guessing that investigation was for a different type of power tool) or genitals, the numbing is temporary.
Feeling somewhat numb after getting jiggy with your gadget doesn't mean you've frazzled anything permanently - your clitoris just needs a rest...
Can I get addicted to my vibrator?
This is a common question.
Vibrator orgasms bring on a natural high that instantly boosts your mood. You'll definitely find yourself wanting more, but the good news is that you can’t get addicted to your vibrator however often you use it.
We think that also answers the question of the validity of 'Dead Vagina Syndrome.' DVS was a fake news scare which claimed that using a vibrator numbs the nerves in your vagina and stops you from experiencing orgasmic pleasure again.
There has been no medical evidence to back up this claim, and we take it for what it is - a load of viral BS.
Why does it take me so long to have an orgasm without my vibrator?
Vibrators are popular with women because of the quick and powerful orgasms they deliver. We get used to these quick orgasms, so when getting sexy with a partner and the orgasm seems elusive, many assume their vibrator has caused clitoral damage.
This is not the case.
Vibrators oscillate at around 200 oscillations per minute, delivering consistent, reliable stimulation in just the right spot – that’s a tall order for any partner to keep up with.
Orgasming through other types of stimulation can be tricky and take longer. The good news is that as you explore what you like and achieve more orgasms, you’ll often find that time decreasing.
Of course, you always have the option to add a vibrator into the mix when you’re with your partner if you want to speed it up a little.
