Some say that you never forget your first… In that sense it is preferred to have good memories about that “first”, right? You might be eager to buy a brand-new sex toy but to make good memories… Well… first, you might want to take a look at 3 things you should know before buying your first sex toy:
- There are a variety of options out there
Sex toys are defined as sexual enhancement products designed to increase the quality of sexual experiences. With that being said, it is given that they can range from objects that tickle and vibrate to objects that are inserted into one’s vagina, anus, or mouth. Some could be used gently, and some could be used for acts involving sexual dominance and submission (BDSM).
Some examples of sex toys include vibrators, dildos, penis rings, anal beads, butt plugs, harnesses, handcuffs, whips… The list goes on. In short, surfing the Internet to see different stores and reading customer comments about the options out there might be a good start. If you feel a bit overwhelmed, it is never a bad idea to go for the most popular option. Often it is the most cost-effect purchase anyway.
2. You should look for the right material for your sex toy.
As it was stated above, there are many kinds of sex toys and they can be made from different kinds of materials including but not limited to plastic, silicone, glass, steel, rubber, latex, etc. Some are considered as low-tech, while others are considered as high-tech and equipped with an Internet connection, camera, and so on. It is very important to search for a sex toy with a suitable material that is body-safe, non-toxic, and cleanable. There are alternative options out there for those who are allergic to any kind of material.
3. Properly cleaning your sex toy is always a good idea.
It is a good idea to clean your sex toy each time you use it to avoid any bacterial infection especially when you are using toys that are inserted anywhere in the body. Also, if you are sharing a sex toy with a partner, using protection with the sex toy, and cleaning it after sex would help you to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, HPV, etc.) and could prevent unwanted pregnancies.
If it is available, you should read the instructions very carefully about how to clean the sex toy that you intend to purchase. There is a lot of information on how one can clean their sex toy on the internet but manufacturer enclosed cleaning information regarding these products is very variable in quality and detail. So, sticking the user manual in the first place might be the right way to go. Considering that, if you think cleaning that sex toy would be time-consuming or something that you would not do, you should think about finding some other toy.
Whether you want to use them by yourself or with others, sex toys can bring new sensations and intensify the pleasure in your sex life. It might be intimidating to see that there are a lot of options out there, but you can use that to your advantage and start experimenting with some of them. Go ahead, have some fun. And also, don’t forget to the lube…
If you’re seeking out professional help with this issue, you can book an appointment here.
Seray Soyman is a Psychology graduate from Turkey. Currently, she is working as an intern at Willingness and doing her master’s on Clinical Psychosexology at Sapienza University, Rome. Seray’s research interests are sex-positive behavior, sexual habits, LGBTQIA+ studies, and reproductive health.
References
BWell Health Promotion. (n.d.). What’s the best way to clean sex toys?. https://www.brown.edu/campus-life/health/services/promotion/content/whats-best-way-clean-sex-toys
Döring, N. & Pöschl, S. (2018). Sex toys, sex dolls, sex robots: Our under-researched bed-fellows. Sexologies, 27(3), e51-e55.
O’Connor, C., O’Connor, M. B., Clancy, J., & Ryan, A. (2009). Sex toy hygiene. International journal of STD & AIDS, 20(11), 806-807.
Wood, J., Crann, S., Cunningham, S., Money, D., & O’Doherty, K. (2017). A cross-sectional survey of sex toy use, characteristics of sex toy use hygiene behaviours, and vulvovaginal health outcomes in Canada. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 26(3), 196-204.