Vibrators are generally considered sex toys for erotic use alone or with a partner. That perception could soon change, as regular use of vibrators for masturbation also has health benefits. Vibrators might soon be available as medical devices on prescription.

Health Benefits of Masturbating with a Vibrator

Regular masturbation has numerous positive effects on both physical and mental health. Using a vibrator can enhance these benefits.

According to a team of scientists led by Dr. Alexandra Dubinskaya, a gynecologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, the medical benefits of vibrators are so convincing that they might soon be prescribed as medical devices.

Vibrator strengthens pelvic floor and protects against incontinence

In a meta-study published in The Journal of Urology in May 2022, researchers evaluated 21 out of 558 papers on vibrators and their health impacts. The study showed that regular use of a vibrator:

• Strengthens the pelvic floor
• Relieves genital pain
• Increases libido and sexual satisfaction
• Improves overall sexual health

Strengthening the pelvic floor can lead to improvements in many abdominal complaints, such as urinary and fecal incontinence, uterine, bladder, rectal, and vaginal prolapse, bladder infections, and sexual disorders. Therapy can include vibrator training or traditional pelvic floor exercises.

Easier orgasms and less stress

Women who regularly use a vibrator experience faster and multiple orgasms more easily. Regular orgasms significantly reduce stress, which improves health in many areas. Therefore, vibrators should be used as therapeutic aids for efficient stress management.

The results of the study were presented at the annual meeting of the American Urological Association in 2022 ( 2 ).

Vibrator as a therapy for sexual disorders

A 2018 study by a multidisciplinary team at the Mayo Clinic stated that vibrators are evidence-based therapy for several sexual disorders (1) in both women and men, including:

• Erectile dysfunction
• Ejaculation difficulties, such as premature ejaculation
• Orgasm problems (if you never or rarely experience an orgasm)
• Vulvodynia – pain in the external genital area of the woman

Using Vibrators with a Partner

If you have a partner and have never used a vibrator before, inform them about your planned use and the reasons. You can integrate the vibrator into your partnership for both therapy and sexual pleasure.

Always Use a Vibrator with Lubricant

Always use a lubricant when using a vibrator alone or with a partner, especially if used internally. Vaginal lubrication can decrease with age, loss of libido, or certain diseases. Using a vibrator without suitable lubricant can be uncomfortable or painful.

Risks of Using Vibrators

While vibrators are effective for therapy, they also carry risks since they are inserted into the body and can cause injuries. Do not share vibrators to avoid infection risks. Overuse of a powerful vibrator can lead to desensitization or numbness of the genital nerves, though these effects are temporary. Psychological dependence on the easy stimulation and orgasms from a vibrator can also occur, so monitor your use and take breaks to avoid addiction.

Does a vibrator need to be inserted vaginally?

It is important – especially for beginners – that the vibrator is only used externally and can lead to orgasm and an effect through external vibrations. So if you don’t want to insert your vibrator vaginally or anally for the time being, you can also simply externally, which means that it massages e.g. only the vulva (labia, vaginal entrance, clitoris) but also the inner thighs, mons venus, abdomen, wherever it feels good and pleases, whereby the pelvic floor is of course strengthened in particular, when it comes to orgasm and sooner or later (after the period of getting used to it and getting to know each other) the vibrator can also be used internally.

Proper Use and Selection of Vibrators

Doctors and medical staff often lack concrete recommendations on choosing and using vibrators, which can increase patients’ inhibition. Beginners can use vibrators externally before moving to internal use. The Mayo Clinic advises considering several factors when choosing a vibrator to minimize risks and maximize health benefits:

• Should the vibrator only be used externally or for penetration? Depending on the purpose and application, there are different sizes and shapes.
• Is the vibrator used anally or vaginally? There are specific models for anal and vaginal use. Make sure that vibrators that you want to use anally have a wide base or retrieval strap, otherwise they could disappear in the intestines. Depending on their size, they can then reappear during the next bowel movement. But there is also a risk that this is not the case, which therefore requires going to the hospital as a precaution. Depending on the model, it can also lead to wedging in the intestine.
• If you have had pain during penetration during sexual intercourse so far, choose a particularly slim model that is absolutely smooth and seamless. Or you can choose a vibrator that is only used externally.
• If you are rather insensitive and only feel something when you vibrate intensely, then choose a vibrator with several intensity levels.
• If you don’t want other roommates/family members to notice anything about your vibrator therapy, choose an extra quiet model or a cordless waterproof vibrator that you can also use in the shower.
• Vibrators are made of a wide variety of materials (silicone, hard plastic, glass, stainless steel, wood, rubber, etc.). Plastics, in particular, can contain plasticizers and other chemicals (e.g. phthalates) that can be carcinogenic and have no place in the body and therefore nothing in a vibrator. So choose a vibrator made of non-toxic material, such as stainless steel or medical-grade silicone. If only “silicone” is specified, other materials could be mixed in.
• To strengthen the pelvic floor, vibrators made of hard material, such as glass, are also better suited than soft models. In the meantime, there are very high-quality vibrators made of glass without harmful plasticizers, hardeners or UV protectants. The glass vibrators are completely smooth, lubricating and hygienic.

How often should you use the vibrator?

In order to achieve a strengthening effect on the pelvic floor and other therapeutic effects, you should use the vibrator at least 2 to 3 times a week for half an hour each.

Important rules when using a vibrator

When handling the vibrator, a few rules should be observed:

Do not share your vibrator with others!

The most important rule is the one already mentioned above: do not share your vibrator with your sex partners to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections. For example, it is known that sharing vibrators or other sex toys increases the risk of bacterial vaginosis in women who have sex with women. HPV (human papillomavirus) could also be transmitted with a vibrator.

Clean your vibrator regularly!

Also, don’t use your vibrator anally and then vaginally, as you can introduce bacteria from the intestines into the vagina, which can promote bladder infections.

If you want to use your vibrator vaginally after anal use, clean it beforehand (with warm water and soap or shower gel). You should also always clean it after each use. Perhaps you think this reference is exaggerated because it is self-evident to you. However, in one study, about 20% of men and 14% of women said they had never cleaned a vibrator before or after use.

The HP virus is also so persistent that it survives cleaning and trace amounts were still detectable on the vibrator 24 hours after cleaning. Therefore, use your vibrator only for yourself, do not share it with others.

Only use vibrators anally if they are suitable for this purpose

If you want to use an anal vibrator, only do it if it is also intended for anal use (see above – otherwise it may disappear in the intestines and need to be surgically removed). Also, always use a lubricant.

If you’ve never used a vibrator before…

If you’ve never used a vibrator before and can’t get used to it right away – for example, because of your conservative attitude towards sex toys – then your vibrator should be seen as a therapeutic medical device to improve your health.

You also don’t have to start your therapy on the genitals if you still feel insecure or uncomfortable with it. Get to know the medical device first and feel the vibrations on your arm, leg, stomach or wherever you like. Over time, you will feel your way forward – just as you feel comfortable with it.

Key Takeaways:

1. Health Benefits: Regular use of vibrators for masturbation has significant health benefits, including strengthening the pelvic floor, relieving genital pain, increasing libido, and improving sexual satisfaction.
2. Therapeutic Use: Vibrators might soon be prescribed as medical devices due to their therapeutic benefits, such as helping with urinary and fecal incontinence, sexual disorders, and stress reduction.
3. Proper Use: Always use a vibrator with a lubricant to avoid discomfort, and choose the right type based on your specific needs (external, internal, vaginal, or anal use).
4. Safety Precautions: Avoid sharing vibrators to reduce infection risks, and clean them thoroughly after each use. Overuse can lead to temporary desensitization, so monitor your use and take breaks as needed.
5. Partner Integration: Vibrators can be integrated into partnerships for both therapeutic and sexual pleasure, enhancing overall sexual health and relationship satisfaction.

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