Sex Toys, What Are They? How To Use Them?

What Are Sex Toys?

Sex toys, also known as adult toys or marital aids, are objects people use to get more pleasure during masturbation or sex. Some sex toys also have medical uses if you have sexual dysfunction or a medical condition.

There are many different types of sex toys, and they can purposely be built for men, women, or couples.

It is very normal and human to use sex toys, and it is ok not to, it is a personal decision.

As long as you’re using sex toys safely, and in the manner described by the manufacturer, there is nothing harmful about them being a regular part of your sex life.

Why do people use sex toys?

People can use sex toys for lots of different reasons. Some people use sex toys to achieve wonderful orgasms. This is most common for people with vaginas. Some people use sex toys to help with masturbation.

Some people also use sex toys during intercourse with a partner.

Some transgender, nonbinary, or gender-nonconforming people use sex toys to help affirm their gender identity and help with gender dysphoria. (1)

Some people with disabilities or restricted mobility can use sex toys to make it easier to reach orgasm (via sex or masturbation) or use them to participate in sexual activities or sex positions that would otherwise be too difficult for them.

Sex toys can also be used to help treat the symptoms of some disorders. These include:

• Erectile dysfunction or ED.
• Genital arousal disorder.
• Hypoactive sexual disorder.
• Orgasm disorder.

Some people find sex toys help them cope with some of the sexual side effects of certain medications, health conditions, or menopause (which can lower their sex drive or decrease the sensitivity in their genitals.

What are the different types of sex toys?

There are literally thousands of different sex toys available today. 

Some of the most common ones include:
 

Vibrators

(Other names include: vibes, personal massagers) — They are products that vibrate (via internal motors) to arouse the genitals.

Many women use vibrators for clitoral stimulation and g-spot stimulation. (2)

Vibrators can also be used to stimulate penises, scrotums, testicles, nipples, and anus.

They come in all shapes and sizes. Some are made to go inside a vagina or rectum. Some others are designed to be used outside the body, like magic wands.
 

Dildos

(Other names include: dongs) — They are products designed to go inside a vagina, anus, or mouth.

Dildos come in many shapes and sizes and are sometimes made to look like a real penis. Others are more abstract, and can also be slightly curved, and can be used to help stimulate the g-spot or prostate.

Dildos can be made out of materials like silicone, rubber, plastic, metal, glass, or wood.
 

Anal Toys

These sex toys made specifically to arouse your anus, rectum (and G-Spot in men).

Anal toys include:

• Butt plugs.
• Anal beads.
• Prostate massagers.
• Dildos with a wide base.

Lube is a must for all anal toys because the anus does not produce its own lubricant. One very important point when using anal toys is, only use an anal toy that has a flared base. This means the toy is wider at the bottom or has some way to pull the toy out. Otherwise, it can accidentally slip all the way in, and your anus will naturally close once the toy is in.
 

Sleeves 

Sleeves cover a broad group of adult delight products. These include pocket pussys, penis sleeves, and strokers. They are soft tube-like products that you put your penis into.

Sleeves come in many sizes and different shapes. They often have different textures on the inside for more stimulation.

Some have vibration added on and suction. Strokers are specially designed for male masturbation.

Strokers can be manual devices men can used to masturbate. The latest strokers, also called pocket pussies are automatic. Which allows the male to go hands-free and have all the work done for him.
 

Cock Rings

Also called penis rings, erectile dysfunction rings, and constriction rings, and rings that go around the base of your penis and or scrotum. 

Cock rings are designed to slow blood flow out of the penis when it is erect and hard, which can increase the size of the penis, and make an erection harder and longer-lasting.

The best penis rings are made from soft and flexible silicone or rubber that you can easily remove. Some are made from leather with snap buttons for easy removal.

Some cock rings have vibrators added on to them. These versions are designed to be used with a partner and provide clitoral stimulation to the woman's clitoris during sex.

It is not advised to wear a cock ring for longer than 10-30 minutes, because penis rings do restrict blood flow to the penis. (3)

If you feel any pain or discomfort when wearing a cock ring, take it off straight away. Always consult your doctor before using penis rings if you have a bleeding disorder or are on blood-thinning medicine.
 

Pumps 

Cover a variety of different products including penis pumps, vacuum pumps, and vacuum erection pumps.

Vacuum like devices that use a manual or battery-powered pump to create suction around your penis, clitoris, vulva, or nipples.

Pumps push the blood flow to certain areas, which helps increase sensitivity, sensation, and size. Some of us love the feeling of suction.

Penis pumps can be used to help you get an erection. Some pumps are designed to help aid in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, genital arousal disorder, and orgasm disorder.

Most of the pumps you buy in sex stores or adult shops in Australia are not medical devices, they are meant to enhance pleasure during sex and masturbation.

Always make sure you follow the instructions of the product and don’t pump for longer than the instructions say.

It is a good idea to consult your doctor before using any pump if you have a blood disorder, or are on blood-thinning medication.
 

Kegel Balls

Also known as Ben Wa balls, Kegel trainers, vagina balls, and orgasm balls, are round or egg-shaped products that are put inside your vagina. They are designed to help you do exercises that tone and strengthen your Kegel muscles (vaginal muscles).

Kegel balls are usually weighted, which makes you have to squeeze your vagina to keep them up inside your body.

Some are hollow and have smaller balls inside them, that roll around and bounce when you move, making a jiggling and vibrating sensation.

You don’t need kegel balls to do Kegel exercises, and they aren't used by all women for that purpose. Many people just like the way they feel inside their vagina.

If you would like to know how to use kegel balls click the image below:

Packers

Also known as prosthetics are products that look and feel like a real penis. They are normally soft and designed to create a “bulge” in your underwear or clothes.

Some packers also allow you to urinate standing up. These models are called stand-to-pee or STP packers. Transgender, genderqueer, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming people use packers to help express their gender identity.

Packers aren’t always sexual or used for sex, but some packers can be worn bent down or sticking up, so they resemble an erect hard, and non-erect soft penis. This allows them to be used for sex.
 

Strap On Harnesses

Also known as strap ons or strap-on harnesses are products that hold a packer, dildo or another sex toy against your body.

Once worn they allow penetrative sex with your partner during sex, using the attached dildo. Some can be worn as underwear or jockstraps, and others are designed to fit other parts of your body, like your thigh.

There are so many different kinds of sex toys and ways to use them that figuring out where to start can feel a little overwhelming.

Going to a sex toy shop and asking someone who works there about different products can be a great way to learn more about sex toys and what might work well for you.

You can also just try something that seems interesting and go from there. Or you may decide sex toys aren’t for you and your partner, and that is ok too.

The point is that there are lots of options for different bodies and different kinds of sex — so no matter who you are or what kinds of sex you have, sex toys can be an option for you.

How To Use Sex toys Safely?

1. Sharing sex toys with other people can spread sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), if the person that has an STD uses a sex toy, their body fluids on that toy can spread the infection to anyone else that uses that toy. If you’re using a sex toy for penetrative sex with a partner, it’s important to take steps to ensure you are having safe sex.
2. Always wash your sex toys in mild soapy water before and after use.
3. Putting a condom on a sex toy can help keep them clean and prevent STDs spreading. Make sure that you change condoms before the toy gets used on another person.
4. If you are going to insert a sex toy into your anus, make sure you use lots of lubricant. The anus doesn’t produce natural lubricate (the way a vagina does). Without lubricant, inserting a toy into your backside without adding lube can be painful and uncomfortable.
5. Never put a sex toy that has been in an anus into the vagina without washing it thoroughly, or changing the condom first. If the toy is not washed, germs from your anus can get into your vagina and can lead to vaginitis.
6. Make sure that any sex toy you use in your anus has a wide base (or a way to keep it from sliding all the way in). If a sex toy goes in far enough and your anus closes, you may need to see a nurse or doctor to retrieve it.
7. You can’t lose a sex toy in your vagina because the cervix is located at the end of it and blocks anything travelling deeper.
8. Never use a silicone lubricant with a silicone sex toy. Silicone lubes can react with the silicone in your toy and damage (melt) it. Water-based lube is best used will all sex toys and condoms.
9. If you’re putting a sex toy inside your body, it’s best to use one made of a body-safe, non-porous material like 100% silicone, plastic, stainless steel, aluminium, and break-resistant glass. Toys made from porous materials absorb germs and are harder to keep clean.
10. Sex toys that are made from porous materials (eg: silicone blends, jelly rubber, PVC, vinyl, TPR, TPE) can absorb bacteria that can lead to infections. A way around this problem is to put a condom on your toy.
11. The best way to clean your toys is to read the directions that came with it or ask the staff at your local sex toy store.
12. Always use sex toys that are specifically made to be sex toys. DIY sex toys might not be safe. They can break, be made from unsafe toxic materials, be rough, sharp, or have parts that fall off.

Where can I buy sex toys?

You can buy sex toys at specialty stores, usually called sex shops, sex stores, or adult stores.

A sex shop (also called an adult shop, erotic shop, or an adult store) is a business type or retail shop that sells adult products related to adult sexual or erotic entertainment, such as vibrators, lingerie, clothing, and other related adult products.

Adult stores like The Hot Spot are essentially part of the sex industry and in most jurisdictions in Australia, sex shops are regulated by law, with access not legally permitted to minors. Some countries still prohibit adult stores and the merchandise they sell.

The Hot Spot is an online adult store that sells a variety of adult content such as adult toys, pornographic magazines, pornographic films, fetish and bondage wear, adult costumes, and many other adult toys.

Our adult store is favoured by most of our customers because we have fewer overheads and can be accessed within the comfort of your own home. Our discreetness is also appealing to many of our customers.

Some pharmacies, chemists, and sell a limited variety of common sex toys, like cock rings and vibrators.

It is best to buy from trusted stores or websites that have detailed information about their products, and stock genuine sex toy brands.

Our sex stores specialise in toys for everyone, including men, women, and the LGBTQ community. Our store has a large variety of products for people of all gender identities and sexual orientations. Our staff can provide help and suggestions for men, women, femmes, and LGBTQ people.

 

Author: Erica Cuff

Erica Cuff has been involved in the sex toy industry since 2000. Working behind the motto “Sex Toys should be fun”, Erica provides useful tips & advice from years of hands on experience and research with adult products. 

Happily married since 2005, she knows first-hand how our sex lives can become repetitive if we don't give them the time and effort they deserve. If you're looking to spice things up in the bedroom, then Erica is your gal! She lives to cover topics that empower men, women and couples needing inspiration to keep lovemaking exciting and fun.

Her other focus is teaching women how to properly master the “bald man in the boat” to achieve the best orgasms ever (partner or no partner!) Her informative and unique tips, techniques and advice is up there with certified sex therapists and Sexologists, but with the added advantage of her expereince in the adult toy business.

Erica Cuff's Linkedin profile highlights her professional background, experience and training.