What Is Your Sex Toy Really Doing To Your Body?

Sex toys have become an essential in a lot of women’s sex lives. Unlike a man, you can always depend on them to be there— and to make you orgasm. Some women discovered sex toys from an early age and have used them since, but there’s concern amongst women that prolonged use may be ultimately damaging and could cause desensitization. Here, we discuss the effects of your sex toy (the vibrating kind, by the way) on your body. It might seem like it's all pleasurable, but read on to see if that's true.

Sex toys. The invention of vibrating sex toys changed the way women masturbate forever, significantly improving their experience for the better. What do you think it is actually doing to your body - like, besides all that good stuff?

Worrying. But too much of anything is never a good thing, and some women worry that their sex toys may have desensitized them or could make it harder for them to orgasm in any other way.

Myth. But experts are reassure that this is nothing but a myth. Sex expert Vanessa Marin tells Cosmopolitan that contrary to popular belief, there’s nothing to worry about when it comes to using your sex toy on a regular basis.

Arousal. “Applying vibration to the clit, or anywhere else on the body, does not cause desensitization. When the clit is aroused, it swells with blood much like a penis — they're analogous parts — and the increased surface area exposes more nerve endings,” says Marin, as reported by Cosmopolitan.

Blood flow. Experts aren’t certain why the vibration brings so much pleasure to women, but agree that it might have something to do with the blood flow that being increased in the clitoris, says Cosmopolitan.

Stimulation. Because the vibration of a sex toy can be so intense, it can make other forms of stimulation pale in comparison. So when you get used to the sensation of a sex toy, it might feel like yo’ve lost sensitivity when stimulated my someone or something else.

Perception. "It's all about the relative perception of stimulation,” Ligon tells Cosmopolitan. She also compares using sex toys to using a massage chair saying “if you sit in a powerful massage chair for an hour and then immediately get a shoulder rub, the shoulder rub won’t feel as intense as it would have if you hadn’t sat in that massage chair first,” reports Cosmopolitan.

Sex. Other people that use sex toys are concerned that after using them for so long, it’ll affect the way they have sex, especially if they’re used to incorporating it into intercourse on a regular basis.

Replacement. “I think this is an idea that has been perpetuated in part by folks who fear that vibrators are ‘replacements’ for people, which they are absolutely not. an a vibrator cuddle you after it makes you come? Nope! Vibration is truly a blessing in that it makes achieving orgasm much easier with less physical effort than manual stimulation, and I'm all for anything that brings more orgasms into the world,” says Ligon, as reported by Cosmopolitan.

Addiction. At the end of the day, Ligon says that as crazy as it sounds, it’s impossible to get addicted your sex toys, but there are certain instances where you might want to consider taking a break from them.

Relationship. "If you're currently in or are planning on being in a relationship in the future, think about the role you want your [sex toy] to play in your sex life,” says Ligon, as reported by Cosmopolitan.

Intimate. But sex toys can also be a good addition to your sex life, so long as your partner is comfortable with it. Sex toys can make sex with a partner much more exciting and intimate.

Partner. “If you're down with having your partner use a [sex toy] on you, or using a [sex toy] with your partner, by all means, buzz away!” says Ligon, as reported by Cosmopolitan.

Guide. Sex toys can also be good for people who have a hard time orgasming any other way, or as a way to explore what feels good for you and what doesn't, so that when you do have a partner, you’re able to guide them.

Intense. “And if you are only able to come from the most intense vibration known to humankind, then that is also amazing and awesome!” says Ligon, as reported by Cosmopolitan.