How To Use A Vibrator: Boosting Wellness & Satisfaction

Dr. Lisa Lawless, CEO of Holistic Wisdom
Clinical Psychotherapist: Relationship & Sexual Health Expert

Vibrators, flowers, book, How To Use A Vibrator

What Do Vibrators Accomplish?

Beyond their buzz, did you know vibrators can be good for your health?

Vibrators can increase blood flow to the genitals, improve sexual health, efficiently provide sexual stimulation, and provide creative options for individuals and couples while being invaluable for those with disabilities and sexual health issues.

Sex Toy Material Myths

Now, we all know how the internet is rampant with misinformation, and sex toys are no exception. Unfortunately, there is so much concerning body-safe sex toy materials that it is difficult to find an article that actually has 100% accurate information about them.

We have found that most websites and many so-called sex toy experts are spreading so much misinformation that these myths have become considered accurate and common knowledge in the sex toy industry.

It is disturbing that so much misinformation has become commonplace and is often repeated by prominent media sources, causing many consumers to be misled. After all, you deserve to be educated, not be inundated with hype or fear-based myths.

One of the most common myths is pushing consumers to only purchase medical-grade silicone. But here's the scoop: most sex toys aren't made with the same silicone used in medical procedures and are not medical-grade silicone. That doesn't mean they're risky or harmful, though.

The truth is that 'medical-grade' is not a type of silicone; rather, it is a matter of whether it has been tested for medical procedures, like long-term implants inside your body. Because most sex toys are not used for medical use, they are not tested to be implanted in the body. But that does not mean the silicone is less safe.

What consumers should look for is how silicone is cured because that is the most critical aspect of what determines how safe they are concerning impurities in the silicone.

Want the best? Hunt for platinum-grade or post-baked peroxide-cured silicones.

But here's the tea: the problem is that most sex toy manufacturers do not share that information. But don't fret; we have provided some guides below for you to learn more about this so that you can become educated and empowered.

Helpful Vibrator Guides

Learn the facts about silicone through our guide: Silicone Sex Toys: Is Yours Real & Safe?
Please see our Body Safe Sex Toy Guide for more helpful science-based information regarding sex toy materials and how you can find something that is nontoxic and body-safe.
There are a lot of myths about vibrators on the internet, so to learn the truth about them, please explore our Vibrator Myths Guide.
We provide a great deal of helpful information on choosing a vibrator with details about the types of vibrators, their functions, and considerations when purchasing one. To review, please see our guide: How To Choose A Vibrator.

Vibrators & Erogenous Zones

The following vibrator categories are where most people use vibrators. Learning about erogenous zones will help you learn how to stimulate them better using a vibrator.

It is important to note that unless a vibrator is designed for anal use with a flared base and is made of a nonporous, body-safe material, it should not be used anally.

For more information about using vibrators in those areas, please see their corresponding guide:

Familiarize Yourself With Your Vibrator

Most vibrator manufacturers will provide instructions on using your new sex toy. While most people don't enjoy reading instructions, we highly recommend that you do.

For example, vibrator instructions typically offer directions on how to disengage travel locks. It is one of the most common mistakes vibrator users make to think that their vibrator is defective when in reality, they just need to hold the power button down to turn off the travel lock to get their vibrator running.

In addition to travel lock instructions, understanding how to increase and decrease power, as well as changing vibration patterns, are beneficial aspects to explore before you begin using a vibrator.

Also, strategically thinking through how you want to hold and position your vibrator for the most comfortable way to use it can ease strain. Keeping lubricant and a towel next to you to wipe away lubricant or body fluids can also make your sexual experience more effortless.

Using A Vibrator With A Partner

If you are going to use your vibrator with a partner, you will want to discuss it with them before you begin having sex to alleviate any concerns, as well as discuss creative ways to maximize the pleasure it provides.

For more information about addressing concerns, please see our Sex Toy Fears Guide.
For suggestions on types of sex toys that couples can use to enhance sexual experiences, please see our guide: Couples Sex Toys For Intercourse and The Best Sex Toys For Couples.

Vibrators & Desentization

Vibrators can be quite healthy to use, but when you use them for an extended period, you can become temporarily desensitized to them. You may benefit from taking the vibrator off the genitals and stimulating other parts of your body, and then returning to the genitals to avoid getting overstimulated or desensitized.

You can also use a vibrator with a pattern setting that will cycle through vibration patterns which may also help keep you from becoming overstimulated or desensitized.

To learn more about this, please see our guide on Numb Vulva & Vaginal Twitching.

Alternative To Vibrators

If you are experiencing desensitization and are unable to orgasm using a vibrator, you may wish to explore air pulse sex toys (clitoral suction vibrators) as they offer stimulation without that effect.

Please see our Air Pulse Sex Toys Guide for more information about these sex toys.

Ensuring Maximum Power

Battery Operated

If you are using a battery-operated vibrator, you may notice that the power begins to diminish after you use it for a while. This is because the batteries may be wearing down and need to be replaced.

Using rechargeable batteries can help avoid constantly replacing them to have maximum power.
Make sure to take batteries out in between use to extend the life of your vibrator.
If your vibrator does not have a travel lock, you will want to remove the batteries while traveling with sex toys to avoid a buzzing suitcase.

Learn more about batteries and sex toys through our helpful guide: Sex Toys & Batteries.

Rechargeable

Rechargeable vibrators are extremely popular because they maintain their power much longer than battery-operated vibrators. They often have features such as travel locks that keep them from going off, and they are quick and easy to keep charged.

Please see our Rechargeable Sex Toys Guide for more information.

Plug-In Electric

Electric sex toys are often some of the most powerful vibrators and offer a deep vibration. You do not have to worry about costly batteries, the effect of batteries on the environment, or planning to make sure your toy is charged. However, these can limit how far you can move around unless you use an extension cord.

The downside to electric plug-in sex toys is that the cord may get tangled or get in the way during sexual adventures. These vibrators cannot get wet as they may create the risk of electrical shock. We recommend wiping it down with a moist washcloth when it is unplugged and has been sprayed with sex toy cleaner.

See our Sex Toy Voltage Requirements Guide for more helpful information.

Using Lubricant With Your Vibrator

Adding a small amount of lubricant to your vibrator can enhance the sensation and decrease the chance of irritation. When in doubt about a compatible lubricant to use with a sex toy, we recommend using a water-based lubricant. This will avoid causing an unwanted chemical reaction with the vibrator material.

Please see our Ultimate Personal Lubricant Guide for more information on choosing the right lubricant for you.

Adjusting Power Levels

Experiment with your vibrator's power levels. If you find the vibrations too intense, reduce the speed of the vibrator. You can also decrease the intensity by using over underwear or placing a washcloth over the surface area of the vibrator. In addition, try using light pressure when holding the vibrator on a low setting.

If the vibrations are not intense enough, turn up the speed or increase the pressure of the vibrator against your body.

Clitoral Stimulation

When using a clitoral vibrator, keep in mind that there are different ways to use them to stimulate the clitoris:

Pull the clitoral hood back to expose the clitoris for direct contact, which will make the stimulation more intense.
Put the vibrator over the clitoral hood for less intense stimulation.
Use the vibrator to one side of the clitoris if too intense or is preferred.
Alternate stimulation by inserting or moving around your vibrator over the vaginal opening and going back and forth between stimulating the clitoris and inner labia (vaginal lips) as you tease and stimulate.
Decrease intensity by using the vibrator over underwear or placing a washcloth under the vibrator.
Try varying pressure when holding the vibrator on different settings to determine your preferred setting and pressure.
Use other vibrators such as G-spot vibrator, vibrating rings, and dual vibrators (rabbit vibrators) to hold over your clitoris and use them to stimulate yourself or your lover.

Using Sex Toy Combinations

You can get pretty creative when using a vibrator and combine sex toys to provide simultaneous stimulation to different erogenous zones.

Please see our How To Use Sex Toys Together Guide for more information.

Dual Or Triple Stimulation

There are various ways to get simultaneous dual or triple erogenous zone stimulation. Below are some examples of how to achieve this:

You can use dual motor vibrators (rabbit vibrators) to stimulate both the clitoris and G-spot or prostate and perineum simultaneously.

Dual And Triple Stimulating Vibrators

Add an attachment to a wand vibrator (body massager) for dual or triple stimulation to the clitoris, G-spot, anus, or rectum.

You can get vibrating rings to put on a penis or dildo to provide dual stimulation to stimulate both the clitoris and G-spot or prostate and perineum simultaneously. There are various ways to use a vibrating ring on a penis, fingers, or dildo.

Learn more about how to use them through our Penis Rings Guide, as well as how to correctly measure them in our Penis Ring Measuring Guide.

Vibrating Rings

You can use c-shape couples' sex toys and strapless strap ons to simultaneously stimulate the clitoris and G-spot or rectum (or prostate) and perineum.

Waterproof Vs. Water-Resistant

Only use waterproof or water-resistant (splashproof) vibrators with water, and be careful to note when something is waterproof vs. water-resistant. A basic rule of thumb regarding vibrators and water is that you can submerge them only when they are considered waterproof.

In contrast, water-resistant (splashproof) means you can get them wet, but you should not immerse them in water. Keep rechargeable sex toys clear of being exposed to water or moisture through the area where you plug in the charger (jack ports or jack socket) to avoid damage or even electrical shock.

See our Waterproof Sex Toys Guide for more helpful information on the way waterproof or water-resistant (splashproof) vibrators are rated.

Multiple Orgasms & Female Ejaculation

Using vibrators can make achieving multiple orgasms more easily. This typically applies to women as they are more capable of having multiple orgasms due to their quick refractory times and brain activity after an orgasm.

To learn more about multiple orgasms and how to achieve them, please see our guide How To Have Multiple Orgasms.

Vibrators can make experiencing female ejaculation easier as well. To learn what it is and how to achieve it, please see our guide, How To Female Ejaculate.

Male Vibrators

Vibrators can be quite pleasurable on nerve-rich areas such as the head of the penis, testicles, nipples, anus, and prostate. There are various types of vibrators designed for males, including vibrating rings, male vibrators designed for penis stimulation, and prostate massagers.

See our Male Masturbator Guide for more helpful information.

Trans Women & Non-Binary People

Vibrators are often marketed for cisgender men and women and overlook trans men and women, as well as nonbinary people.

For more information, please see our helpful guide on choosing vibrators for Sex Toys For Trans Women & Non-Binary People.

Vibrators For Disabilities

Vibrators can be quite helpful for those with disabilities and mobility issues. They can assist with comfort and increased blood circulation and provide a way to orgasm when other conventional methods are not possible or are uncomfortable.

For more information, please see our helpful guide regarding Sex Toys For Disabilities.

If you or your partner have a spinal injury, make sure to learn more about using sex toys through our helpful guide, Sex Toys For Spinal Cord Injuries, as you should use caution and discuss them with your doctor before using them.

Cancer & Vibrators

Vibrators can be beneficial to those who are going through or recovering from cancer treatments. They may increase blood flow, help produce lubrication, and provide increased stimulation to areas with nerve damage.

For more information about this, please see our Sex With Cancer Guide.

Vibrators & Other Health Conditions

Vibrators can be helpful for other health conditions. Please see our related guides for more information:

Using Vibrators When Plus-Sized

Using sex toys as a plus-sized person may require creative approaches to using them to work around possible physical challenges.

To learn more about such factors, product suggestions, positions, and sex toy modifications, please see our helpful related guides:

Vibrators For Seniors

Sex toys can be essential for pleasurable and healthy sexual experiences when you are older. As we age, we can often experience health conditions that can cause erectile dysfunction (ED) or female sexual dysfunction. Vibrators can help with a variety of sexual challenges. See our related guides for more helpful education.

Electrostimulation Vibrators

Electrostimulation devices (estim) can also have vibrators in them so that they are all-in-one electrostimulating vibrators. These can help strengthen pelvic floor muscles and offer intense stimulation.

Read more about them through our Erotic Electrostimulation Guide.

Cleaning Your Vibrator

Ensure cleaning your sex toys after use to prevent the transmission of STDs or bacteria build-up that can cause urinary tract infections (UTIs).

The best way to clean sex toys is dependent on the type of material it is made out of, so please see our How To Clean Sex Toys Guide for more cleaning information.

Get Creative

There are many ways to use vibrators, both solo and with a partner(s). The best way to enjoy a vibrator is to get educated before using them and then relax and enjoy. Let your creative and sensually playful side explore all the pleasure vibrators can provide.

For more helpful information on vibrators, explore our guide Best Vibrators & Vibrator Reviews.