So many women love vibrators, whether they are using them solo or with a partner. But did you know they may affect your sexual satisfaction in both positive and negative ways? There are many types to choose from, and women prefer different ones, depending on their own bodies and what feels good to them. Vibrators are made for external (clitoral), internal (G-spot), and dual stimulation. They range from a small buzz to a high level of intense horsepower. With so much potential stimulation, a common concern around vibrators is whether they can desensitize you over time. Read on to help determine how a vibrator might be affecting you and, if it is, what you can do about it.
Let’s think for a moment about when you got your first vibrator and why you or your partner purchased it. Did you want to self-explore and discover where and what feels good and what doesn’t? Are you uncomfortable communicating your needs with your partner? Are you looking to try something new with your partner? For many women, a vibrator is introduced under the hopes that the orgasms will either start coming or happen with more frequency or more easily. There are many women who have never had an orgasm, and some who have trouble orgasming with a partner and can only do so alone. Internal orgasms happen for even fewer women, especially without some clitoral stimulation.
Now that you understand why you started using one (or want to), let’s go over the risk of desensitization. First-timers often start with a small bullet type vibrator with a subtle vibration. Orgasms from a vibrator are different from other methods—although many women can orgasm from a vibrator within minutes, it usually takes longer with a partner. However, women may notice that with time and repeated use, they are not orgasming as easily with their vibrators and want to upgrade to something more powerful. Another issue is that their body gets so used to orgasming from such strong power and intensity, it can become more difficult and sometimes impossible to orgasm from their partner’s touch or oral sex when they once could.
So what is a girl to do? Luckily no studies have shown this issue to be permanent. So if you notice this and don’t want to part ways with your vibrator, but also don’t want to become desensitized, take a short vibrator vacation. With just a little time, usually a few weeks, your body will become more sensitive to other stimulation again. Plus after using a vibrator, you may have learned what it takes to get you that orgasm that you’ve been wanting if you struggled before. Now is a good time to try different things solo or with your partner and see if you can achieve an orgasm without the vibrator. If you find you can’t, there is nothing wrong with relying on it to orgasm. Sex without climaxing feels amazing too, so try to remain present and notice how incredible all of it feels, whether you orgasm or not.
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Courtney Virden is a pelvic floor expert, fitness trainer, and founder of iCORE Method. Her iCORE Method app with core and pelvic floor programs is used by women worldwide to restore pelvic floor health and wellness. This highly sought after programming from iCORE Method helps women heal from pelvic floor dysfunction and also greatly improves sexual satisfaction. She offers monthly subscriptions, challenges, and has new content monthly on the app.
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