Sex Toys for Women: An Introduction
If you've never owned a sex toy (or even if you have a small collection), the variety of types available and the various names by which they're called can be confusing. Here's a brief primer on the main types of toys and their various uses.
Jelly/Jellies
This generally applies to a material that encases or covers a sex toy. It's flexible and
feels not unlike a certain gelled dessert you may have enjoyed as a child. Jellies can be
formed into all sorts of shapes and are often used to give old-fashioned vibrators a more
"realistic" outer finish. Not a sex toy in and of itself, but it's a term you should
know.
Dildos and Dongs
Basically, dildos and dongs are sex toys that mimic the penis. They come in many sizes and
various levels of realism and in many different materials, some so realistic they strongly
mimic the actual...um, thing. (Some products on the market were actually modeled after famous
porn stars.) Generally speaking, dildos and dongs don't move or vibrate. The upside to this
is you don't need to worry about batteries running out. The downside is, well, you could get
essentially the same results with a well-formed cucumber. (Of course, dongs and dildos don't
spoil if left out of the 'fridge.)
A huge advance has been made in dildo technology with the introduction of Pyrex® glass dildos. These are not only beautiful to look at, they're easy to clean and can be heated or chilled for extra pleasure, according to your preferences.
Vibrators
Vibrators vibrate. Depending on the brand and model, they provide various levels of
stimulation, from "Gee, I could have just used my pager," to "I'm never
leaving the house again." They also come in many different forms.
Handheld vibrators are generally, vaguely phallic shaped. They can be used for direct clitoral stimulation, or inserted into the vagina. When it comes to vibrators, size really isn't everything. Some are tiny little things that can fit in your handbag or slip over the tip of your finger. Others attempt to mimic very large penises, and may include sleeves in various materials (such as jellies) that simulate the feeling of flesh. The combination of a large, realistic vibrator inserted in the vagina with a smaller vibrator applied to the clitoris can create mind-blowing orgasms. If you have a lover in your life, there's no end to the combinations of human and mechanical stimulation — use your imagination.
Clitoral stimulators
Whoever came up with the idea for clitoral stimulators deserves a Nobel prize. These little
beauties are designed solely to stimulate your most sensitive bits, and most of them do it
quite well. Many clitoral stimulators include elastic straps that allow you to use them
"hands-free" — the point being that your hands are free to operate the
controls. (If you have even the slightest bondage fetish, the straps have the added benefit
of providing a deliciously slutty sensation.) For some reason, clitoral stimulators tend to
be shaped like cute little animals (dolphins, beavers, jack rabbits and what-have-you).
Make of it what you will, but make sure there's room in your toy box for at least one of
these modern miracles.
Eggs
A lot of sex toys feature "eggs." Very simply, these are smallish (about
1 ½" in length), egg-shaped vibrators. They may be naked in their egg-shaped
glory, or packaged safely inside some other jellified shape (see clitoral stimulators, above).
Perhaps the most famous egg is the remote-controlled variety, which allows you or your lover
to provide sudden, discreet pleasure in even the most public environment.
Unlike phallic vibrators, eggs vibrate over their entire surface area. Eggs can be applied to the clitoris for gentle vibrations or inserted in the vagina for a truly unique sensation.
Anal toys
Not for the beginner, anal toys range from the "simple" butt plug, to anal beads,
to dildos, vibrators and sleeves in every size, material and style you can imagine. Anal play
is not to be taken lightly, and requires an article unto itself.
Novelty vibrators
Some sex toys defy categorization. The Eroscillator,
for instance, features unique, interchangeable attachments that move in a way unlike any other
vibrator. It's not battery powered, but relies on a low-wattage power supply fed through a
conveniently long cord (just the thing for those of us who tend to run out of batteries
— oh, and the manufacturer says it's waterproof, though I don't personally have the
nerve to test that claim).
There are a number of products on the market that were never intended (or so they say) for sexual pleasure, but are nonetheless enjoying great popularity — the portable shower head comes immediately to mind. Some women have reported successful intimate relations with various electric toothbrushes, as well. One of the best selling "sex toys" is marketed as a back and muscle massager.
When it comes to sexual pleasure, women are more than willing and able to innovate. Fortunately, so are sex toy manufacturers.
Combination vibrators
More and more sex toys on the market these days comprise various combinations of the above
styles. You might find a clitoral stimulator sharing controls with a vibrating egg, or a
dildo-shaped vibrator with a conveniently-located clit stimulator — and maybe a nice
row of rotating beads for gentle attention to the sensitive vaginal entry. There is absolutely
no reason your first sex toy shouldn't be one of these modern marvels — there's not a
huge learning curve when it comes to sexual pleasure.
Of course, if you've never delved into the world of sex toys, you might feel more comfortable starting simple — there's nothing wrong with that. A small vibrator with a single speed can be the perfect introduction to the wonderful world of sex toys. What's important is to decide what you are comfortable with and take it from there. After all, this truly is all about you.