Melysa MartinezLike the clitoris and the female orgasm, there remains much to be learned about the pleasure provider that is the vibrator. Sure, we know that during the Victorian era doctors gave “pelvic massages” to women (aka “masturbated”) to the point of “paroxysm” (aka “orgasm”) when treating those with “womb disease” (aka “hysteria”), but that was so long ago!
Considering the mysterious nature of the female orgasm, and that vibrators are used for vaginal stimulation, including, but not limited to, assisting a woman in achieving orgasm, shouldn't there be more research on the subject matter? The answer: Yes. Well, according to us. But know, we are not alone in our estimation.
Dr. Gad Saad, Ph.D., a Professor of Marketing, and holder of the Concordia University Research Chair in Evolutionary Behavioral Sciences and Darwinian Consumption, recently addressed the lack of research in an article for Psychology Today.
“I find it regrettable that a greater number of consumer scholars do not tackle such “sexy” subject matters,” said Dr. Saad. “It would seem that vibrators fall under the rubric of unmentionable products, and hence are largely avoided from scientific inquiry (at least by marketing scholars).”
Largely avoided, maybe, but luckily not totally avoided. Dr. Saad goes on to share some interesting findings published by the Journal of Sexual Medicine, in which a national sample of 2,056 women, age 18 – 60, were surveyed about their use of vibrators.
Below, six things you didn't know about vibrators and women:
Hello Kitty would never hurt you
6. Vibrators are safe: numbness, pain, irritation, inflammation, and abrasions were rarely reported. OK, this one seems pretty obvious, but you'd be surprised.
What Would Jesus Do?
5. Religion and vibrators don't mix: Of the women surveyed, those with a greater religiosity were more likely to have never used a vibrator. Upon hearing of this, Jesus shed a tear.
You mean playing with myself makes me healthier? To the vibrator!
4. Healthy sexual function: Women who used vibrators scored higher on the Female Sexual Function Index scale. In using the multidimensional scale for assessing sexual function in women, it was found that two out of the three age groups — 23-44 and 45-60 — scored higher.
You seem to be looking a little longer than necessary, doctor
3. More pelvic exams: Women who used vibrators were more likely to engage in a gynecological exam in the past year or a genital self-examination within the past month. Because a happy vagina is a healthy vagina.
It's always good to have all your bases covered
2. Clitoral orgasm > Vaginal orgasm: 83.8% of users used vibrators more frequently for clitoral stimulation and less as an insertive device (64% of users). What, no butt lovin'?
As common as … bananas
1. Vibrators are pretty common: 52.5% of women sampled said they used a vibrator while either playing alone, getting warmed up with their partner, and/or during a game of sink the sausage. Good thing most men aren't threatened by your vibrator.
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