User:Likethefig/Vibrator (sex toy)

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I added a "Vibrators in the LGBTQ+ community" section in the article Vibrator (sex toy) because I feel it is important to include this important tool used in same-sex relationships. According to Pub Med, vibrators are "described by men as adding to the quality of their sexual experiences". Sex toys such as vibrators are also important in sexual relations among transgender people, as it enables them to have differing sexual experiences than their born bodies allow. I want to dive deeper into this information, but it will take more specified research.

I also want to add a "Use in Relationships Among Disabled People" section, as sex toys like vibrators are also used to enhance sexual relationships between people who might not be able to use fully use all their body parts, or who have chronic fatigue and wish to increase their performance in bed.

It is important to talk about how vibrators help inclusion within sexual relationships, and open up opportunities for those whose sexual experiences are not cis-het centered or physically typically-abled.

I think I need to do more research and brainstorming before I physically add new sections to the article, but I feel more competent working through it in the sandbox.

I think its important to touch on the potential spread of STIs through sex toys which is not always common knowledge.

Sex Toys for Disabled People
Sex toys such as vibrators, most commonly known as assistive technology, are beneficial for disabled people because it allows pleasure and relief from chronic pain and other symptoms.

20 percent of the population has a disability of some kind, allowing more awareness and accessibility for sex toys (assistive technology) for the disabled. Sex toys can be fundamental pieces that destigmatize pleasure and helps the disabled users access sexual freedom. However, sex toys aren't just for pleasure, they allow empowerment and freedom from pain and access to pleasure. Many organizations have spearheaded the conversation of spreading awareness and allowing more access for sex toys. Companies like Lioness and MysteryVibe, Handi, Hot Octopuss and Becuming.

Coronavirus Effects on Sex Toy Industry
As the coronavirus pandemic hit in early 2020, people found themselves at home with an abundance of extra time. This sparked an interest in discovering and exploring ones sexuality. This caused the sex toy industry to benefit from a spike in sales from customers some of which who were buying toys in bulk for fear that the pandemic would shut down production for an uncertain amount of time. This raising interest resulted in vibrators being more mainstream and have better representation in popular culture opening up the conversation on women's pleasure.

Vibrators in the LGBTQ+ Community
Sex toys such as vibrators are used in sexual activities among transgender and queer relationships.

Recent studies show that a majority of me who personally identified themselves as gay or bisexual indicated that they have used at least one type of sex toy in sexual relationships as well as individually, with 49.6% of them having used a vibrator. In Canada, people who use sex toys are more likely to identify as bisexual, lesbian, or queer. They were also more likely to report participating in alternate sexual activities, like oral sex or anal sex—which are also common situations to use sex toys, such as vibrators. Furthermore, vibrator use was among American women is significantly connected to several facets of sexual function (such as arousal, pain, lubrication), suggesting more enjoyable sexual functions. Men in similar studies are also reported believing they have heightened their sexual experiences.

Vibrators can also be used in the process of artificial insemination for queer or transgender couples attempting to start a biological family. Newly invented vibrators such as the POPDildo cater to queer, transgender, and disabled people, as well as those experiencing erectile dysfunction or serodiscordant couples who may need help conceiving.

Importance of Cleaning Vibrators
Without proper cleaning, bacteria can live and grow on vibrators and other sex toys. This can cause the spread of STIs, most commonly vaginal and anal gonorrhea, bacterial vaginosis, and urinary tract infections. After each use sex toys must be cleaned using unscented soap and warm water. Today there are so many products that help keep vibrators clean like specialty soaps and portable UV sterilizing cases for cleaning on the go. When sharing toys it is especially important to keep them as sanitary as possible. Condoms can be used as a precaution to cover toys when using them on partners to prevent spread of STIs and other infection. Physicians can offer advice on proper vibrator care and use, including sex counselors, OBGYNs, urologists, oncologists, and specialists in conditions leading to sexual disfunction.

In popular culture
Sunday Night Sex Show (link) was a live call-in Canadian television show which ran from 1996 to 2005, in which callers could ask questions to sex educator Sue Johanson. Johanson was also featured on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, giving the audience a tour of her sex toy bag that included bullet vibrators, discreet vibrators disguised as keychains, and even a vibrating rubber ducky.

In season one of Mad Men, Peggy Olson is assigned to work on the marketing campaign for a type of vibrating underwear intended to help the user lose weight called the Electrosizer, which she later renamed the Rejuvinator. The show cites this device as providing “the pleasure of a man, without the man."