Sexy toys and chairs to sit on

During the 18th century women were being diagnosed with a condition called hysteria and the treatment was the stimulation of the clitoris until the woman reached “hysterical paroxysm” or orgasm.

The doctors considered this to have nothing to do with sex, but did find it time- consuming work that put a strain on their wrists. Thus the vibrator was invented and considered a time saving device for doctors everywhere.

The treatment of women’s sexuality by the medical practice of the time might be belittling and appalling to the modern person, however it did contribute to the sex lives of many, starting in 1902 with the first commercial sale of the vibrator.

Of course, many cultures had sex aids before the time of the vibrator, and there is such a variety of toys on the market in modern times that there’s no need to limit yourself to it. Many toys are more specially designed for men and all can be used between couples to stimulate each other.

However, there might be some hesitancy to introduce sex toys into the bedroom, as feelings of inadequacy and jealousy might result. If you’re facing such troubles you may point out to your partner that being jealous over a sex toy is like being jealous over a partner’s use of pornography; both are interesting and enjoyable, but not a replacement for sex.

Your partner might be more encouraged if you point out the toy’s possible uses on them, or if they have their own to try out.

Of course, a female or her partner might be concerned that a vibrator will decrease her sensitivity, but this is true only in the short term. After using a vibrator some women may experience desensitivity to varying degrees, for varying periods of time, but this is never permanent.

Men can, and do, use vibrators as well, but there does, unfortunately, seem to be more focus on toys for women.

If you’re male or looking for something to entice your male partner (Christmas gift, perhaps?), a fleshlight or similar silicone vagina or anus might be a good choice. These can come complete with whole fake plastic women or stand alone with a variety of textures and sizes.

You can usually feel the toy with your hand in the store, and there are cheap models that you might want to buy if you’re not sure that’s what you or your partner will like.

Men might also enjoy cock rings or docking sleeves (for two male partners to share.) Both sexes might also enjoy anal penetrators, anal beads, anal plugs, and nipple clamps. Of course, many of these toys are enhanced by lubrication and need to be cleaned before and after each use.  They also can all carry sexually transmitted infections and semen between partners so condoms may be necessary.

If you are going to introduce sex toys to your partner, there are very intriguing options you can use together. A female with a partner of either sex might enjoy straps-ons, some of which do not literally strap-on but can be held by the vagina and look rather realistic like the Realdoe brand. 

Partners of many sorts can use sexual furniture like the Tantra chair or the much cheaper Esse chair as well. These chairs are more like couches, designed with curves that facilitate interesting and unusual sexual positions and are also said to enhance more typical positions. There are also sex swings, fisting swings, bondage apparatuses, and pillows designed for sex like Liberator Shapes, all of which indulge certain positions and fantasies for couples.

Of course, for students on a budget all of this can sound rather expensive. However, phallic or vagina shaped fruit like cucumbers, bananas, and warmed melons or pumpkins with a hole cut into them are cheap options. Cleaned fruit or vegetables that you’ve covered with a condom is always best. You can also freeze fruit, particularly grapes, to add temperature to any sensation.

With all of this variation hopefully you can find something to intrigue yourself and/or your partner.

And if you have a special occasion coming up, a sex toy might be precisely, ahem, what the doctor ordered.