Two recent Indiana University studies show that approximately 53 percent of women and 45 percent of men (yes, men) ages 18 to 60 use vibrators either alone or with a partner! Not only is vibrator use common, but the two studies also show that vibrator use is associated with more positive sexual function and being more proactive in caring for one’s sexual health.
The studies, led by researchers at the Center for Sexual Health Promotion in IU’s School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, are the first to publish data about vibrator use from nationally representative samples of the U.S. population. We’ve come a long way baby.
One study surveyed women. The other surveyed men. Both were published last week by the “Journal of Sexual Medicine,” a leading peer-reviewed journal in the area of urology and sexual health.
“The study about women’s vibrator use affirms what many doctors and therapists have known for decades — that vibrator use is common, it’s linked to positive sexual function such as desire and ease of orgasm, and it’s rarely associated with any side effects,” said Debby Herbenick, associate director of the Center for Sexual Health Promotion.
The studies are the first to document insights into how and why people use vibrators, examine side effects and to explore associations with sexual health behaviors, sexual enjoyment and quality of life measures.
Findings – For women
- More than half of the women (52.5 percent) had used a vibrator with nearly one in four having done so in the past month. (I think we are still dealing with some women that are not comfortable with their sexual selves, 50% – come on, we can do better than that)
- Vibrator users were significantly more likely to have had a gynecological exam during the past year and to have performed genital self-examination during the previous month.
- Vibrator use was positively related to several aspects of sexual function (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, pain and overall function) with recent vibrator users scoring themselves higher on most sexual function domains, suggesting more positive sexual function.
- Most women (71.5 percent) reported having never experienced any side effects associated with vibrator use. Those side effects that were reported were typically rare and of a short duration. (Example: holding a powerful clitoral stimulator against your clitoris for prolonged period of time can cause temporary loss of sensation. Like when your foot falls asleep)
Findings – For men
- The prevalence of men who had incorporated a vibrator into sexual activities during their lives was 44.8 percent, with no statistical differences between the rates of vibrator use between men who identified as heterosexual and those who identified as gay or bisexual.
- Heterosexual men most commonly reported having used vibrators during foreplay or intercourse with a female partner, with 91 percent of those who had used a vibrator reporting that they had done so during such activities with women.
- Of men who have used vibrators, 10 percent had done so in the past month, 14.2 percent in the past year and 20.5 percent more than one year ago.
- Men who reported having used vibrators, particularly those with more recent use, were more likely to report participation in sexual health promoting behaviors, such as testicular self-exam.
- Men who had used vibrators recently also scored themselves higher on four of the five domains of sexual function, as measured by the International Index of Erectile Function (erectile function, intercourse satisfaction, orgasmic function and sexual desire).
So, this study is about more than vibrators. Yes it’s great the the use of battery operated bedroom playthings is up. The more important part, however, is that more women (and men) are expressing themselves sexually, figuring out what works for them and going for it.