Can sex toys actually improve your health?
Yes, sex toys have been proven to improve several aspects of your overall health – great news! But how exactly do sex toys contribute to a healthy lifestyle?
The answer lies in what you use your toys for and the way that you use them. Doctors, sex therapists, and relationship counsellors have all attested to the ways in which sex toys can bring life changing benefits to an individual or to a couple’s life.
There are numerous studies highlighting how bringing sex toys into the bedroom can have positive benefits on sexual and relationship satisfaction levels.
There has never been a more apt opportunity than right now to spend time exploring your body, as well as your likes and dislikes. If you’re just starting out on your sex toy journey, check out our guides here.
Unfortunately, there can still be a bit of a stigma or taboo associated with sex toys. For lots of people, even today, the words conjure up an image of a man in an oversized trench coat furtively ducking into a dingy adult shop.
Thankfully, there are many sex toy companies and body positive activists working hard to change this and to bring sex toys into the common discourse. They argue that it should be as commonplace to speak to friends about your sex toys as it is about your plants.
Sex toy companies have realised the importance of being inclusive and making toys for a wide range of people. Whether it’s people of different sizes, gender expression, ability, or experience level, the benefits of designing toys for a wide section of the population is obvious.
We are loving the shift towards designing sex toys that are accessible for everyone. We firmly believe that everyone should have the opportunity to explore their body using external stimulation.
The real reason that sex toys should become more mainstream is so that more people can take advantage of their many health benefits. From improved body confidence, to increased sexual satisfaction, and the surprising statistics on couples who use sex toys – there is something for everyone!
Four positive effects of using sex toys
There are numerous benefits of incorporating sex toys into your lifestyle, but we want to look at the top four benefits.
1. Sleep
“Sleep is important! Are you sleeping enough? Sleep more for better health!”
All these sleep experts really do is make you more anxious and even less likely to sleep well – of course deep down, we know that we should prioritise our sleep.
But with recent world events causing record levels of sleeplessness (ahem, global pandemic), it’s not as easy as just going to bed a bit earlier. Enter sex toys!
For people who are uncomfortable with manual masturbation, using sex toys before bedtime can be a great way to flood your body with happy chemicals (specifically serotonin, oxytocin, and norepinephrine) and set it up for a great night’s sleep.
Many people have undergone serious disruptions to their routines since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, meaning their normal sleep schedules have become a stressful and unhappy time.
It’s important to practice self-care, particularly during tough times, and one way to do that is to incorporate the use of a sex toy into your night-time routine. Even if it’s just playing around with it briefly, you’ll soon start to look forward to bedtime and register more Zs than ever before!
2. Mood
Your mood can be one of the biggest indicators of your overall health. When you are stressed, you can be irritable, snappy, and get into conflict with others more easily.
We’re not suggesting that every time you get annoyed with your work colleagues or your partner that you should whip out a vibrator to cheer yourself up. But if you are a regular user of sex toys, you should notice a positive difference in your mood.
Even if you’re not feeling particularly sexy, using toys that are automatic can get you feeling happy and refreshed without much physical exertion on your part.
Sure, you can go for a run and get a similar rush of endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine – but a run won’t make you feel sexier or let you express your sexuality. Or perhaps that’s precisely what running does for you, in which case, carry on!
3. Sexual function
The process of improving our mental, physical, sexual health definitely isn’t easy. It can be hard to know the best approach for your individual circumstances, and therapy and gym equipment can be prohibitively expensive.
Fortunately, sex toys can be one of the best tools for a person with sexual function challenges, and they won’t break the bank.
A GP with a gynaecological background recommends that women who experience menopausal symptoms could benefit from using sex toys. Some of the ways that they can improve health is by improving blood circulation in the vaginal area and by complementing medical treatments for gynaecological issues.
It’s not just women who can improve their sexual health by using sex toys – men have also been found to benefit from certain toys.
Research has shown that men who suffer from erectile dysfunction, low libido, or premature ejaculation can use sex toys such as sleeves or rings to stimulate nerve endings and improve sexual function. It’s best to chat with your GP or health professional for personalised advice on how sex toys can help you.
4. Happier relationships
The happier you are in your relationship, the more likely you will enjoy good mental health, have positive views of the world, and be able to live the best version of yourself.
One of the most cited reasons for relationship breakdowns is lack of sexual intimacy or compatibility. Relationships with mismatched sex drives can quickly fall apart unless there is exceptionally strong communication between partners.
If couples are willing to express their sexual desires and needs with their partners, there is a greater chance of longevity in the relationship. While women are more likely to benefit from using sex toys, they are also less likely to speak to tell their partner that they want to bring them into the bedroom.
So, there you have it – doctors are practically insisting that you use sex toys for your health! Perfect excuse for spending on that new toy you’ve got your eye on.
Also, if you’re a fan of data, you’ll love our porn stats landing page with more data than you can shake a stick (or other phallic object) at!