The global sex toy industry is worth more than $15 billion a year and research suggests that almost half the British ( UK) 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. In the UK ( Britain ) 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
Sex toys can be helpful in the treatment of menopausal symptoms such as vagina atrophy vagina pain and tightness (due to vaginismus, vulvodynia, lichen sclerosus, gynae cancer treatments and surgical interventions; neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis; lack of arousal.
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.
"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 your orgasm
"Using a slim vibrator from DelighToys 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.
For men
There are a number of sexual problems in men that may be helped by using specific sex toys.
Constriction rings can help a man maintain his erection for longer, making it firmer, and also delay ejaculation. Specially-designed male vibrators can help men to gain an erection and stimulate nerve endings. They can also help with delayed ejaculation as they offer a different sexual sensation to manual masturbation."
Penile suction devices to help get erections are available to purchase as well as on prescription, but it would be best to get medical advice before use.
Surprising benefits
"Using sex toys to enhance sexual pleasure and orgasm can help you to sleep, boost immunity, relieve pain, reduce stress and boost your brain power," comments Evans. "And age is not a barrier. One lady told us she enjoyed her first orgasm at 70 using a sex toy. They have few side-effects, unlike medication, and can help many women enjoy clitoral orgasms and G-spot orgasms, something they may not have achieved before. Sex toys can also help people continue to enjoy sexual intimacy and pleasure when penetrative sex is not possible."
For both men and women, one benefit of introducing sex toys into the dynamic is to open up a dialogue about sex and what they enjoy as individuals and a couple.
"It may be something that they haven't tried before due to embarrassment or fear of purchasing items, but expert advice is available," says de Giorgio, "and they may find that their sex lives benefit from this new openness."
Should the UK GPs prescribe sex toys on the NHS?
Sex toys are being recognized as valuable 'tools' to supplement conventional medical treatment. Many healthcare providers (HCPs) are striving to normalize sex for their patients, rather than medicalise it. We've created a health brochure in association with HCPs that many give out to their patients."
However, we still have a long way to go before recommending sex toys becomes the norm for all HCPs and many struggle to talk about sex to their patients.
