Waterproof Jack Rabbit

We’re giving a big hat tip to Cory Silverberg at About.com who caught this research in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.  We’ve reported on sex toy use in the past, but finding reliable numbers has been difficult.  Many researchers work with sexual function, STI’s, reproductive health and other sexuality issues.  But few focus on how sexual health and well being can be enhanced with sex toys.

Fortunately, Mr. Silverberg wrote up a great summary about this new research, and we found it to be good information.   Here’s one sample of his summary:

“The researchers compared vibrator users and non-vibrator users on several measures of sexual functioning (asking questions about things like erectile function, intercourse satisfaction, pain, orgasm, lubrication, and sexual desire). Overall men and women who used vibrators reported fewer problems with sexual function. And people who used vibrators more recently (the past month) responded to surveys in a way that indicated fewer problems with sexual function.”

Like we always remind our readers, if you have a problem with sexual dysfunction, don’t spend too much time looking for answers on the internet.  Find a licensed clinical specialist who can help you overcome the problem.  Some sexual dysfunction is also related to more serious medical issues.

But it is interesting to know that vibrator use corresponds directly to sexual health in this study.  As more and more people come to see the value of sex toys as sexual health enhancements, we hope to see more studies supporting their use.  Not to mention, if your sex life is in a rut, you can definitely turn it around with good vibrator usage!

Check out our complete line of vibrators, and get going on a healthier, happier sex life.

Reduce Your Risk

The Guttmacher Institute has produced a new study that is sure to raise some eyebrows.  The study focuses on whether “pulling out” or withdrawal, is almost as effective as condom use to prevent pregnancy.  This is a PDF file of the study.  It is fairly detailed and we’d like some time to compare it to other data.

I’ll do a more detailed post in this Sunday’s Sex Toy Review.

But after a cursory read, I do notice that the study does not make claims about protection against STI’s.  In fact, it makes one reference which I believe will lead to some controversy.  They state:

“Parallel HIV risk reduction approaches have been controversial but successful among some populations of men who have sex with men.”

At first glance, this seems like a tacit endorsement, but in context it is an acknowledgement of other research.  My concern is that such a study taken outside of the confines of a strictly monogamous relationship with an STI free partner can lead people to potentially catastrophic (unless you consider genital herpes a mild irritation) conclusions with regard to their sexual health.

We’ll stick to the tried and mostly true method of recommending condom use.  Use it, or loose sleep is the best way to frame it.  And be certain of this, withdrawal, or “pulling out” has never been endorsed as a protection against STI’s.  If you are with a new partner, please use a condom.

Pregnancy isn’t your only risk.  Next to HIV, pregnancy is a breeze.

The Software Guys Know Hardware Too

As it turns out, Techies are apparently one of your best choices for a sex partner.  No kidding, an anonymous study found that the tech guys are the best in bed, and to their credit in our book, most likely to use sex toys.  We just knew there was something good going on in IT departments around the world, now we know what it is that makes those guys look so happy all the time.  From the SUN:

“While computer nerds are obviously good at IT, what we didn’t realise is that they’re good at “it” too. An anonymous study of 2,000 British men and women concluded that out of all jobs, computer geeks make the best lovers. They were found to be the most selfless in the sack, the most adventurous and more likely to use love gadgets.

Seventy-eight per cent of techies that were questioned also claimed that sex toys were part of their love life. And a further eight out of ten tech workers said that sex toys played an important part in their sexual relationships.”

So there you have it.  If you want a scorchingly good time in the sack, you need to find a programmer, or developer.  Did I mention that those in the fitness industry were least likely to use a sex toy?  It’s your choice.  You can have the muscle-bound narcissist, or the cuddly guy who wants you to be happy.  With a reputation like that, I think I’m going to go back to school to learn programming.

Most likely to be found in a British bedroom

We’re big fans of the British people now.  A recent study reports that over half of the people surveyed in Britain admit to using sextoys during play time, and a quarter of them have a webcam in the bedroom.  Now that’s spreading the wealth!  According to the Cosmopolitan survey:

“In the study conducted by Cosmopolitan magazine more than half of the people admitted using a sex toy in the sack, while a quarter used a webcam.

Almost 20pct of the respondents agreed that they would even hook up with a stranger they met on the Internet for casual sex.”

It also added this:

“The survey involving people from six different countries UK, USA, Germany, Finland, Russia and Sweden showed that those from Finland were most likely to indulge in-group sex, while 54pct of Germans admit to having an affair.”

And, for the fantasy buffs, apparently Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt and Orlando Bloom still have “it.”  They were the celebrities topping the “Who would you most like to have sex with” list.  The British also topped the safe sex list with 72% of them practicing safe sex.  Our swinging Finnish friends, however, severely dissapoint us with only 56% practicing safe sex.

Here’s a tip from Sextoys.com, if you’re going to have group sex, USE CONDOMS.  Please.  You can find them here.  Of course, our British readers already know where to find them.  Jolly good work, that.  Now you can return to your rooms and turn on the webcams!

One of the sexual myths that is frequently believed in our culture is that anal sex is “something gay men do.”  If you consider the raw numbers alone, that’s completely incorrect.  But now, even in terms of percentages, nearly as many heterosexual couples engage in anal sex as homosexual couples.  That may surprise some, but the fact is that sexual activity is fairly fluid in any culture and the numbers will vary as tastes and desires change over time.

According to Wikipedia, at the beginning of the 20th Century, one researcher determined that the number of homosexual men engaging in anal sex was 8% of the population.  Recent studies place the number between 40% and 60%.  On the other hand, heterosexuals engaging in anal sex have fluctuated as well, ranging from 20% to 70% depending on which survey you believe.

Anal Lube

“MYTH #4: All gay men have anal sex.

There is no connection between being gay and having anal sex—many straight men and women enjoy anal sex, while many gay men do not. In fact, studies have shown that a significant proportion of the gay male population does not engage in anal sex, and their partners are absolutely okay with that. There are a wide variety of reasons men choose not to have anal sex, ranging from finding it gross to merely not finding it very pleasurable. Gay men engage in many kinds of sexual behaviors other than anal sex, from mutual masturbation to kissing to oral sex. Whatever is comfortable and pleasurable and fun is what’s right for you!”

Readers of this blog know that we agree with that assessment.  Each person has unique desires and finds different stimulations pleasurable.  If you don’t enjoy anal sex, don’t do it.  If you do, do it safely and use condoms and a healthy supply of lube.  Your sexual tastes are as individual as your tastes for food.  Learn what you like and go with it.  Don’t worry about “normal,” because normal is a very fickle word.

And it can ruin a perfectly good play time, unless you know what you want and do it!