How Sex Toys and Tools Can Help With Sexual Dysfunction
September is Sexual Health Month, and every year, the World Association for Sexual Health celebrates the right to have a respectful, safe, and positive approach to sexuality. This year, we?re celebrating by doing our part to make your sex life as incredible as possible while raising awareness on toys, tools, and accessories that can help with sexual dysfunction or other issues that might be interfering with your pleasure in the bedroom.
Fortunately, there are tons of ways to orgasm and have fun, whether that?s through exploring different erogenous zones during sexual activity, trying out products designed to support sexual function or arousal (we?ve got the ultimate hack for better oral), or just adding a little variety to your routine.
Sexual dysfunction aids that can enhance your pleasure
We?ve got your back with sexual health aids for far beyond the basics ? think mints that freshen your breath while boosting circulation, discreet vibes that can be used for all-over pleasure, or prostate toys that unlock a new dimension of pleasure.
And while they?re common to help with symptoms of menopause, erectile dysfunction, performance anxiety or side effects from medications, these tools aren?t just for those experiencing low libido, ED, or vaginal dryness. They?re a game-changer for anyone curious about building intimacy, boosting confidence, or finding out what feels good for you.
ED aids
Experiencing sexual dysfunction for people with penises isn?t always a permanent situation, and it?s not the end of pleasure. There are so many tools on the market; cock rings that can help you stay firmer for longer and increase sensitivity, penis pumps that can help you achieve a desired erection, penis vibrators, and even prostate toys that can help you explore your body?s other pleasure zones, such as the prostate and perineum, which can provide full-body sensation and lead to orgasm.
After all, while there?s pressure on people experiencing ED, there are so many different ways to orgasm beyond ejaculation. De-centring penis pleasure to experience all the other ways your body can enjoy itself can be incredibly liberating.
Here are the most popular tools ? when using them, it?s vital to use lube to avoid discomfort and friction while increasing pleasure and sensitivity.
Cock Rings
Put a ring on it! Erection rings are placed at the base of the penis and can help maintain an erection by constricting blood flow, which also boosts sensitivity and can feel amazing. A penis ring traps blood in the penis for longer, and it works best on those who are able to get a partial erection. If you can?t, pair with a tool like a penis pump, which we?ll go into right after this.
Rings are an affordable entry into sexual dysfunction aids and come in all price points and materials, but silicone is best for beginners. Get a set with different sizes or a lasso style one with a tie if you?re unsure of size, but many will come with a measurement guide.
Penis Pumps
A penis pump, otherwise known as a vacuum erection device, helps you get hard and stay hard. It?s placed over the penis, creating a vacuum and bringing blood in to facilitate an erection.
Not sure how to use one? First, apply lots of lube to the shaft and head of the penis, as this helps the vacuum seal work better and adds pleasure. Insert the penis while flaccid (not the balls) and start to pump until erect. Then remove it once an erection has been maintained.
Rock Solid - Penis Pumping Kit
Prostate Toys
Can?t get an erection and don?t want to try pumps or rings? No biggie! Prostate toys can help with sexual dysfunction and allow you to experience a whole new world of sensation. There?s a reason this spot is called the male G-spot. While you can reach this spot with dildos, it?s best to start with something smaller, like a lubed-up finger.
It?s located an inch or two into the rectum opening, and there are many prostate toys of different sizes that are designed to safely reach this area. Always add a generous amount of lube first to the anal opening and the toy. Consider massaging the anus externally to warm up as a form of foreplay.
Many people with penises find that prostate orgasms can feel even more powerful than stimulating the penis. These are our favourite slim, vibrating massagers that can also be used externally on the penis.
Anal Adventures Platinum - Silicone Vibrating Prostate Massager 03
Penis Vibrators
While you can use a vibrating prostate massager on the penis, there are also toys specifically designed for this purpose. Vibration feels completely different from a mouth, so if you?re looking to spice up some oral, hold a toy like the Manta or a regular bullet vibrator on the frenulum, tip, or shaft.
The frenulum is a little fold of tissue that connects the head and the shaft, and it will blow your mind how good a vibrator feels on this area.
Penis Sleeves
A penis sleeve, aka a penis extender, can help you and your partner experience pleasure. This device is essentially a hollow dildo that you either belt or suction onto yourself and still enjoy penetrative sex. Many of them attach via a stretchy loop, hole, or ring that fits around the scrotum. They come in different sizes, firmness levels, and girths. Some even vibrate and have attachments like anal or prostate plugs.
Performance Plus - Silicone Cock Sheath Penis Extender
Premature ejaculation aids (H2)
Stroker trainers
Have you ever wondered, ?Why am I getting premature ejaculation?? If anything, it?s a compliment to your partner that you?re so aroused by them! But if you are looking to last longer and treat premature ejaculation without medication, there are a few different tools, including cock rings (which we?ve mentioned above as a way to increase durations of orgasms), strokers, so you can train yourself for longer times, edging techniques, and delay sprays for delayed ejaculation.
Practice makes perfect, and masturbation absolutely helps! Beyond products, this is the perfect time to hone skills with your mouth, sex toys, and fingers to put your partner?s pleasure first so that they?ve had their fill of climaxes before it?s your turn.
Main Squeeze? - Endurance Trainer ULTRASKYN? Stroker - Pussy
Delay sprays, gels, and creams
Delay topicals safely and effectively. Reduce sensitivity to prolong the time until ejaculation using ingredients that contain numbing agents. Always communicate that you?re using this product with your partner and let the topical be fully absorbed into the skin before playing with your partner, as you can pass the numbing sensation onto them.
Dynamo Delay Spray
Thicker condoms
Condoms aren?t just a must for safe sex ? they?re a sexual dysfunction hack for people dealing with premature ejaculation, especially for those who find non-condom sex to be overstimulating. Thick condoms still allow for sensation, but give you more control over your climax, blending the best of both worlds.
Mates Protect Extra Safe Condoms
Vaginal dryness aids
Vaginal dryness is more common than you?d think. You?re experiencing hormonal changes, dealing with stress or anxiety, or experiencing side effects from medication you?re on; a low libido and vaginal dryness are very common side effects. But why give up on pleasure when there are so many options that can help you climax (some, even multiple times!)
Here are some of the top solutions to help you feel your most aroused and to regain your sex drive even in the face of sexual dysfunction challenges.
Lube
Vaginal moisturisers and lube are the top recommendations for people experiencing vaginal dryness, and they can make using sex toys or having intercourse much more comfortable and enjoyable.
Rather than natural options like coconut oil, which may disrupt vaginal pH, it?s best to stick with water-based, silicone-based, or hybrid formulas that are designed specifically for use on the genitals. Products like Ah! Yes Vaginal Moisturising Gel provides longer-lasting relief for dryness or sensitivity from vaginal atrophy.
Meanwhile, water-based, pH-balanced lubes have the plush, long-lasting, and luxurious feeling of a silicone lube while still being compatible with silicone sex toys without risk of damage. Formulas like their Hathor Pure lube also contain Horny Goat Weed, which can help with arousal
Internal and external vibrators
If you?re ready for it, vibrators can help arouse people with vulvas who are struggling with dryness. While they can help promote natural lubrication, they should still always be used with lube. External vibrators like powerful, rumbly wands, discreet air suction stimulators, and G-spot vibrators can all help you access different erogenous zones while increasing blood flow.
Clitoral orgasms and G-spot orgasms are different experiences, and if you feel comfortable with penetration, you can experience a blended orgasm with the use of a rabbit toy that has both an internal and external component.
Similarly to men rediscovering their sexuality via prostate toys, remember that your vulva doesn?t have to be the only source of pleasure! Using anal-safe toys with a flared base to explore the perineum and anal play (internally or externally) or using vibrators on your nipples can be a great way to sexually explore in a low-pressure way.
General sexual dysfunction tips for all bodies
Sensation play
Thoughts aren?t always about sexuality. Rediscovering your mojo can sometimes be about embracing sensuality, and that starts with sensation play. You can start by taking a shower in the dark with music on, feeling the warm water on your skin, rubbing the soap over your body, and smelling the delicious aromas of your shampoo or body wash.
You can also bring sensation play into the bedroom if you?re not yet ready to use internal or external toys and are seeking something to help with foreplay or add some variety into your routine. A blindfold is a beginner-friendly accessory that can help heighten other senses by removing sight. A feather tickler is also a popular option if you don?t want to explore pain, but if you do, there are tons of fantastic options, such as floggers and paddles for impact play, and feather ticklers (like this vibrating silicone one), which is a fabulous starting point.
While these can all help with vaginal dryness, sensation play isn?t just for sexual dysfunction in people with vulvas. For people experiencing ED, they can also take the focus away from the genitals and help you shift the narrative to full-body sensuality rather than the narrow definition of what you may consider sex to be.
The Tickler Vibrating Silicone Feather Tickler
Dry mouth aids
Mouth-watering mints and serums
Dry mouth is a very real side effect of many medications or health conditions, and these tools can be a budget-friendly game-changer for helping you naturally salivate. They also have great flavours and can make oral sex more pleasurable for both the giver and the receiver, regardless of whether you have a penis or a vulva.
You?ve probably heard of the viral Flintts Mints, which come in an adorable case and have a tingling, mouth-watering effect, thanks to the Spilanthes flower extract. The tingle is called the ?Flintts Sparkle? and comes in various flavours, such as strawberry, cinnamon ginger, spearmint, lemon, cherry, or watermelon. Flintts Mints also come in different strengths based on the level of dryness you?re experiencing.
If mints aren?t your thing, there are also sprays from trusted brands like GoodHead with their Juicy Head line, available in unique holiday flavours and sour watermelon for fans of sour candy.
Discussing sexual dysfunction with a partner
Remember that sexual dysfunction doesn?t mean anything is wrong with you, and having a safe space to discuss it can make a world of difference. We all experience challenges in the bedroom at one point, and opening up some honest communication with your partner can make the process a lot less daunting.
Outside of the bedroom, communicate on what does or doesn?t give you pleasure, any anxieties and concerns, and potential solutions. Beyond using the toys we?ve mentioned, reading literature on the topics, as well as speaking to a certified therapist or medical professional, can also be helpful.
