Help! Can You Become Addicted To Your Vibrator?

As vibrators have become more popular and a part of regular everyday society, people have started wondering about the potential negative side effects of relying on them. Some have voiced concerns about vibrators desensitizing the clitoris, getting in the way of human intimacy, or creating unrealistic sexual expectations. Some even wonder if these B.O.B.s (Battery Operated Boyfriends) replace real men. And of course, many women ask the question, “Are they addictive?”

MUST READ: Is Masturbation Healthy In A Relationship?

Well, you may not like the answer: Yes AND no. Here’s why:

First, there’s nothing wrong with vibrators as a whole. Some women need more intense stimulation than fingers and/or a tongue can provide. In the Indiana study, compared with women who never used vibrators, those who did reported a greater likelihood of orgasm, greater sexual desire, easier arousal, more self-lubrication (meaning less discomfort during intercourse), and equal or better sexual satisfaction.

MUST READ: 5 Things You Can Become Addicted To (That You Never Knew)

According to a 1999 report in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 25 percent of women have difficulty having orgasms, or can’t have them. And even more women, nearly 60 percent, could not orgasm during vaginal intercourse. So there is a need.

From our partner

Do you still have gout symptoms even though you're taking medication? You’re not alone. The Kadence study is a clinical research study for adults with uncontrolled gout. Learn More

But, one of the problems with vibrators is that they can make orgasm too easy. Remember, vibrators were initially created to ease the aching hands of all those 19th-century doctors masturbating their female clients’ “hysteria” away. A vibrator can deliver an orgasm much quicker than manual stimulation, and oftentimes, the orgasm from a vibrator is way more powerful. There’s a huge payoff for very minimal effort. That imbalance can support lazy masturbation habits. Some women ask why bother exploring and experimenting when you know you can reach orgasm in just a few seconds.

If you use your vibrator to reach orgasm the vast majority of the time, your clitoris can start to become acclimated to that one particular type and intensity of stimulation. Unfortunately, there haven’t been any conclusive studies that have shown whether or not an actual physiological dependence can develop (le sigh), but many women report that frequent vibrator usage makes it harder to reach orgasm in other ways (like through manual masturbation or oral sex).

Additionally, if all you’ve ever known is vibrational stimulation, you’re going to have a tough time teaching a partner how to get you off with his or her fingers, because you won’t know how to do it yourself.

For best results with your B-o-B (battery-operated-boyfriend), here are three tips you should follow:

MUST READ: Relax Your V: Would You Try Orgasmic Meditation?

Don’t Make It Your “Go-To” Orgasm Tool

If you use a vibrator every single time you masturbate, you’re probably going to start to rely on it to

reach orgasm. Are you comfortable incorporating your vibrator into partnered sex? Shift to other forms of masturbation as well. Make sure you learn your body enough that you can reach orgasm in several ways, not just with a vibrator.

From our partner

People 16+ years old struggling with lupus: Find out if the PHOENYCS FLY Study may be for you. Study-related care provided at no cost.

Slow Down

This is probably something you’ve told an old lover or ex (or at least thought about it). Try taking your time instead of just going for a quick orgasm. Use your vibrator differently: Hold it lightly against your clitoris. Move it around to other areas of your vulva. Cover your vibrator with a sheet, or use it over your underwear to minimize the intensity. Use it on the lowest possible setting. Try teasing yourself with your vibrator, instead of going straight for an orgasm.

MUST READ: Use Sexual Energy To Increase Your Success

Go Outside “The Box” (pun intended)

There’s no doubt that vibrators increase your sexual desire, so instead of climaxing, take that desire and go out, and flirt with a newfound love (if you’re single) or with your mate in a new way. You’ll be surprised just how much your sexual energy can be felt if you channel it differently. Think about the bakery concept: walking past a bakery you smell the sweet aroma of pies, cakes, cookies, etc, thus making you hungry. Sexual desire can act in the same way, using the vibrator to get your juices flowing and then allowing your mate to “take you there”.

Happy orgasm!

For more relationship, love, divorce and orgasm talk, click here.