There’s a whole lot of mystery around sex toys and personal lubes. Because of societal conditioning, most people don’t feel comfortable asking questions except in the privacy of the internet.
So, why not use the internet to get answers to all your questions? We have curated a list of the most asked questions regarding sex toys and lubes. After today, you will know what they are and exactly why you should be buying one right now.
Types of Sex Toys You Should Know
It’s impossible to give you a rundown of all kinds of sex toys. So, let’s take a look at the most popular ones:
1. The Vibrator
The vibrator is easily the most popular toy. Part of it is because a whole lot of different toys come inside the category. Basically, any toy with a motor attached to it is a vibrator.
Dr. Martha Lee, the author of Love, Sex and Everything in Between: Fact and Fiction from a Sexologist, lists some of the most popular vibrator types:
- Bullet Vibrator: For stimulating the clitoris and the vagina. Some people wear it in public and enjoy the thrill of the vibrator working while no one else knows.
- Clitoris Suction Vibrator: Provides air pressure, suction, and vibrations to the clitoris.
- G-Spot Vibrator: You can insert one end into the vagina and use the other end externally. It’s designed to hit your G-spot.
- Panty Vibrator: This is a type of external vibrator. The main body goes inside the panty while a magnet keeps it from falling out. It’s the most non-intrusive type of vibrator you can get.
- Rabbit Vibrator: Rabbit vibrators have two motors as well as two ends. Usually, you would use one end for the clitoris and one end for the vagina. It’s the opposite of a panty vibrator, where it can get super intense.
- Cock Ring: This is a couple’s vibrator. Your penis will go inside the ring. Once you turn it on, it will stimulate your partner and you, since you can go inside them while wearing the cock ring.
Vibrators can be something like the dildo as well, which you insert into your body. Or it can be something like the stroker, where you insert your penis into a toy.
The obvious draw of the vibrator is the vibration it sends to your sensitive zones. It doesn’t require much work on your end. It’s a matter of learning how to turn it on and off, and getting a hang of the different buttons.
So, vibrators are the most beginner-friendly and, thereby, the most popular option.
2. Dildos
Dildos could possibly be the oldest adult toy in human history. There is a record of a 28,000-year-old dildo found in the Hohle Fels Cave in Germany.
Dildos are also one of the most convenient sex toys after the vibrator. A lot of vibrators are dildos.
The toy is meant to represent the male penis. So often, it is phallic shaped, with a slight curve at the tip to hit the G-spot. Sometimes, it’s shaped like a microphone.
But the function remains the same. You are supposed to insert it into your vagina, anus, or the mouth.
Overall, there are 4 types of dildos you can use:
- Realistic Dildos: These are often silicone products. Realistic dildos tend to have a shaft and might even have the color of a real penis. It is for those who want a realistic experience even if they are using a sex toy.
- Double-Ended Dildos: Double-ended dildos are curved on both ends. You can use it to stimulate the vagina and the anus at the same time. Some double-ended ones are also designed for lesbian couples. So, both parties can insert one end and enjoy the penetration together.
- Vibrating Dildos: Vibrating dildos are any dildo with a motor attached. It could be a realistic dildo or a double-ended dildo but with a motor for even more stimulation.
- Strap-Ons: These are dildos you wear with a strap-on or harness. This is popular among sapphic couples. But even in heterosexual relationships, the women might penetrate the man with it.
Another kind of sex toy is the Cock sheaths and extenders. While it’s not necessarily a dildo, it almost serves the same function. You slip into the cock sheath so you can add more girth or length to your penis.
3. Anal Toys
Anal toys, as you can guess, are intimate toys you can use on your butt.
The most common example is the butt plug. People use it to stimulate their prostate. Some people also wear the butt plug all day long because they like the full feeling.
The anal beads are also a similar item. However, unlike the butt plug, there are beads present at regular intervals throughout the body of the toy. It creates this interesting sensation where it swells in some areas as you insert it and then it goes down again.
In fact, with anal beads, you should be regularly moving it in and out of the butt to get the full experience.
Then, there are the prostate massagers. It almost has the same effect as a vibrating dildo, but it is made specifically to hit the male G-spot.
How to Choose the Right Sex Toy for Beginners
According to sexologist Suzanne Larsdotter, this should be your basic checklist:
- Choose an aesthetically pleasant sex toy. This could mean something natural, stripped back, or the fairy glass effect.
- Select the material you want to feel. Do you want something hard to the touch or something soft and squishy?
- What kind of stimulation are you looking for? If it’s clitoris stimulation, you want something like a bullet vibe. If you want to stimulate the vagina, it should be a dildo. If you have a penis, do you want a toy to stimulate the prostate or use one to stimulate the glands?
Other than this, here are some tips which could help you make the perfect decision for your first toy.
1. The Material
Silicone, glass, ABS plastic, metal, and wood are all body-safe. Except for ABS plastic, all the other materials are nonporous, which makes them easy to clean. Fluids don’t seep into these products.
Since ABS plastic is porous, you should buy plastic toys for external stimulation only. Otherwise, the plastic would soak the fluid and no matter how much you clean it, you won’t succeed.
You want to stay away from anything jelly-based, rubber, or latex. These are all materials likely to cause chemical burns, along with giving you STIs. Their porous nature makes it impossible to clean them thoroughly.
Also, make it a point to check the ingredient list and see if there is any mention of phthalates.
While Health Canada never put a ban on it for adult toys, harmful effects have been noted from phthalates over the years. They did ban it for children’s toys. Some phthalates are also already banned in the European Union.
Prominent figures like Russ Hauser have also called for a ban on the chemicals over the years, stating it has serious health dangers. But until the government is willing to do something, it is up to you to be smart enough to stay away from phthalates.
Don’t buy the PVC adult toy made with chemicals because it’s cheap. If it’s cheap, there’s a reason.
2. The Features
Dr. Robin R. Milhausen, a sexuality educator and a former talk show host, recommends going for toys with a quiet motor. If you live with roommates or your family members, it’s one way to keep them out of your business.
Plus, what’s a bigger mood spoiler than a loud whirring toy?
Experienced sex toy users also suggest buying a USB rechargeable toy over a battery-powered one. Rechargeable toys cost more, but they also last longer.
Meanwhile, it’s not unusual to forget to replace the batteries from time to time. So, you could end up in awkward situations where the battery dies midplay. Battery-powered toys are also cheaper and damage easier.
But, if you tend to keep a set of AA batteries around at all times, it’s easier to pop it in whenever you want. With rechargeable batteries, if the power dies, you will have to wait for a minimum of 30 minutes before you can use it again.
You want waterproof toys, even if you are not going to be using them in the shower. Waterproof substances are easier to clean and also less likely to get damaged if you accidentally splash water on them.
3. Cost
Veronica Kazoleas, the owner of The Nookie cautions against buying anything too cheap. As she puts it, if the toy is $20 on Amazon, it’s $20 for a reason.
But this does not mean you have to pay $300 for a bullet vibe. If the price ranges from $100 to $150, you can be assured of the quality.
Even anything upward of $60 is good quality, if it’s from an online shop. Since online stores provide bigger discounts.
Do some research about the general price before you buy anything. Hop on to Reddit if you need to. It makes sense for a silicone dildo to cost $40 but a glass dildo should cost $60.
4. Experience Level
It does not make sense for a beginner to start with something hardcore like the anal bead.
When it comes to sex toys, your natural inclination would be to go for something penetrative. Not a good idea.
Instead, take the time to think about what you like. If you have a vagina, you might enjoy toys for clitoris stimulation more than ones for vaginal stimulation.
You might also not want to mess around with something you have to insert for the first time.
A massager intimate toy makes more sense. You get a taste of what it feels like to use a sex toy without putting in too much work. You can take the time to learn different vibration settings and modes.
If you have a penis, you might want to try out a masturbator like the Tenga eggs.
Whichever toy you go with, make it a point to wash your products with soap and warm water before and after use. If you want to be even more careful, you can also put on a condom on the toy in between sex acts.
Final Thoughts
It’s possible you might not end up enjoying sex toys at all after trying them. It‘s also possible they might become an integral part of your bedroom activities. But if you don’t take the time to explore your sexuality, you will never know.
And when you are exploring your sexuality, it’s a big mistake to do it without a dollop of lube. So, go and buy the sex toys and personal lubes from XOXTOYS like you have always wanted to.
