Are Vibrators Healthy? The 8 Mental & Physical Benefits of Vibrators

Your vibrator's 8 surprising health benefits 

You may have heard about infrared saunas, cold showers, or Wim Hof breathing as methods of 'biohacking'–a trendy term for living a healthier life. But at Minna, we think one of the best 'hacks' for increased health benefits is a good old-fashioned orgasm. And we've been proven right by science.

For real, vibrator use doesn't just feel amazing at the time, but your orgasm will continue to have a profound effect on your overall sex life and well-being. 

We have an adage at Minna that, 'good sex leads to more sex.' 

So, if you're interested in boosting your sex drive, unleashing more feel-good pheromones, and having better sex overall–keep reading about why sex toys should be your new daily vitamin.

How vibrator use benefits your sexual health

However, one achieves orgasm–self-pleasure, wand vibrators, g-spot vibrators, butt plugs, penetrative sex–is great and will contribute equally to their overall well-being. But we know that over half of women find it hard to orgasm from penetrative, heterosexual sex alone. And we know that clitoral stimulation is a necessary component of activating one's sexual response. So we're big advocates (no surprise) for clitoral vibrators when it comes to creating a healthy routine for your sexual health.

See, the part of the clitoris that you can see is just about 5% of the actual gland. That small button extends upwards throughout the pelvic region. When it's stimulated, the increased blood flow to the clitoris means that the entire area–vaginal walls, g-spot, the ever-elusive A-spot, become stimulated as well. This elevated blood flood ramps up one's sexual response, making it far more likely they will achieve orgasm. 

And achieving orgasms is key to unleashing all the health benefits listed below. So make sure you have a way to get yourself there (hello, vibrator!) if you don't often find yourself able to orgasm from penetrative sex alone.

The 8 surprising health benefits of sexual satisfaction

Now that we're clear on why vibrator use is vital to achieving the 'big O,' let's look at the bright side of better sex. 

Increased satisfaction in your sex life (more orgasms!) will lead you to experience:

1. Better mental health 

You've probably already heard about the 'love hormone,' oxytocin, and how your brain releases them after orgasming. But that's not all. Orgasming also releases neurotransmitters like serotonin, which works with those hormones to make you less stressed and anxious. They also make you feel more content and relaxed. Studies have linked sexual satisfaction to increased self-esteem and empathy–you'll be more satisfied with yourself and more open towards others.

2. You'll sleep more soundly

Skip the melatonin pill and forget about counting sheep. Instead, count your 'O's. All those happy hormones are going to put your mind at ease as you slip off to dreamland. 

3. Increased intimacy with a partner

If you're orgasming from partnered sex, you'll feel increased intimacy with your partner, and this will lead to increased satisfaction with the relationship overall. It'll also lead to increased sexual desire for your partner. (Don't worry, if you're solo and self-pleasuring, you still get the mood boost and the increased self-esteem.)

4. Pain relief

For women suffering from painful periods and cramps, orgasms have long-been a pain relief trick. But did you know it can help with pain anywhere in the body? This is because all those hormones released after orgasm dull the receptors that would otherwise be signaling to you that you're in pain. So be sure to grab your vibe next time you stub your toe.

5. Menopause combatant

Our libido drops after menopause, and we experience less lubrication, which leads to increased tightness. So if there's a woman in your life right now over 60 who doesn't own a vibrator, you should buy her one right now. Co-founder (and former nurse!) of the sex toy company Jo Divine, Samantha Evans has said:

"Sex toys can be helpful in the treatment of menopausal symptoms such as vaginal atrophy; vulval/vaginal pain and tightness (due to vaginismus, vulvodynia, lichen sclerosis, gynae cancer treatments, and surgical interventions; neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis; lack of arousal, and low libido."

6. Bladder control

All those orgasms give your pelvic floor a workout. And keeping your pelvic floor strong is key to preventing leaks when you're older from doing something as simple as jumping jacks. Also, the stronger your pelvic floor–the stronger your orgasms. 

7. A healthy heart

Regular orgasms lead to less stress, and less stress leads to a healthier heart. Research found that women who had two orgasms per week were 30% less likely to have heart disease.

8. Keeps your vagina healthy and young

When you orgasm, your vaginal walls are lubricated, and this moisture boosts their elasticity, which breaks down as you age. It also opens your cervix so fluids can be flushed out, which will prevent those tricky (and painful!) UTIs.

The side effects of vibrator use

Now you might be thinking, 'Yeah, yeah, yeah, but there have to be some downsides, right?' And our answer is a resounding, 'NO!' Vibrators and sex toys are healthy additions to any life. We recommend them as readily as we recommend eating salad greens, trying yoga at least once, and always saying, 'please' and 'thank you.' 

Some people do worry about maladies such as desensitized clitorises or nerve damage to the area. These conditions have scary names like 'dead vagina syndrome.' However, sex therapists agree that these are transient sensations pertaining to the amount of pressure one used in their most recent session than lasting damage. The easiest way to prevent them is with one simple trick: If you're masturbating or using a sex toy in a way that is giving you pain, stop! I think you can do that, right?

Another issue can be that recurring vibrator use might make it hard for one to mimic the intensity during penetrative sex, but this is also something that people can overcome if they discontinue vibrator use for a while and experiment with different ways to orgasm. We also recommend bringing a vibrator into a relationship to avoid these types of issues as well.

So, the overall side effects of vibrator use are resoundingly positive. Orgasming regularly is a significant upgrade for your well-being, as it's a mood booster, pain reliever, and vagina workout all-in-one miracle drug.