Expert: Maddix - 8/11/2009

Question
I was wondering if toys that vibrate can cause problems with sex, as in a normal sexual incounter? If you are use to feeling a constant vibration compared to a real physical penetration, will it cause issues having an orgasm?

Answer
You shouldn't worry much about the long term effects of using a vibrator. Most vibrators do not have enough power to do much if any damage long term.  If you are using, say, a Hitachi Magic Wand for 4 or more hours each day then technically you can temporarily desensitize your clitoris from prolonged use of said vibrator. Numbness is a sign to cut back on vigorous use, listen to what your body is trying to tell you but unless you use a very powerful vibrator, for a long period of time, all the time and really vigorously then I honestly wouldn't worry about it.

Here are some statistics about vibe use.

Sex Statistics

   * 44% of women between the ages of 18 and 60 have used a sex toy.
   * 20% of men report using a vibrator.
   * 9 in 10 women report being comfortable talking to their partners about their sex toys.
   * 1 in 5 women report masturbating at least once a week. Of those women, almost 60% use a sex toy in their solo play.
   * Women who are in relationships are most likely to own and use sex toys. 78% of women who use or have used a sex toy reported being in a relationship.
   * Women who use sex toys report experiencing more frequent orgasms and greater satisfaction with their partners than women who don’t use sex toys.
   * Of women surveyed, 15-17% were under 20 years old when they first tried a vibrator, 50% were in their 20s, 22-27% were in their 30s, and 8-10% were forty and older.
   * Women who report masturbating score higher on a self-esteem index than women who do not report masturbating. Women who masturbate have a more positive body image and less sexual anxiety (Hurlbert & Whittaker, 1991).
   * Masturbation is correlated with greater relational and sexual satisfaction — a 1991 study of young married women found that those who reported masturbating also reported greater marital satisfaction (Hurlbert & Whittaker, 1991.
   * People worldwide are having sex for the first time at an average age of 17.34.
   * Globally, people have had an average number of nine sexual partners4.
   * Almost a quarter (23%) of adults around the world have incorporated sex toys in partner sex.
   * 20% of adults report indulging in kinky play, including using masks, blindfolds, or bondage.
   * 46% of Australian adults have used vibrators during partner sex—the highest percentage in the world!  The U.S. is a close second.
   * The most common place for adults to have sex outside their bedroom is in the car (50%), followed by the bathroom (39%), parents’ bedroom (36%), and the park (31%)!
   * 15% of people have had sex at work, and 2% have joined the mile high club.
   * Globally, people have sex an average of 103 times a year.

Hope this helps!