What if I told you that the cure for better health buzzes, buzzes and delights?
But don’t take our word for it.
Published in Opinion on sexual medicineA January 2023 article shakes up pelvic floor health research by digging deeper into the medical literature and examining the benefits of vibrators.
The results of this systematic review suggest that these pleasure devices may help improve sexual intercourse, relieve tension, relieve vulvar pain, and improve pelvic muscle function. Such compelling results suggest that vibrators act as a sexual wellness tool and become an easily accessible option for treating several sexual health issues in people with vulvas.
Are vibrators common?
Vibrators are very common. They can be easily purchased online, in sex shops or in everyday places like pharmacies and beauty salons. However, there is very little scientific research on these sexual aids.
Dr. Alexandra Dubinskaya, a urogynecologist at the Los Angeles Institute for Pelvic and Sexual Health and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center who recommends vibrators to her patients, took on the challenge of analyzing this limited literature — 17 original studies in all.
“During a woman’s life, her body, particularly the genitourinary system, undergoes numerous changes: puberty, childbirth with its traumatic effects on the pelvic floor, aging, menopause,” she explains.
“Vibrators came to mind as a potentially ideal tool that could improve blood flow to target organs and serve as a rehabilitation device.”
In studies, her team found that more than half of women had tried personal massagers at least once in their lives (53% of 3,800), with most having tried clitoral stimulation (83.8%) and two-thirds having used the devices vaginally (64%).
Another survey of 202 women found that most women (77%) prefer to use vibrators while lying down. Once again, clitoral stimulation was the most popular among those surveyed (58%). Nearly a quarter prefer circular movements (23%) and around a third mix them with forward/forward or up/down movements (36%).
The benefits of vibrators
Vibrators work by exciting the nerves in your genital skin, creating meaningful sexual sensations that increase desire and arousal. These devices can help increase blood flow to the clitoral and vaginal areas, thereby increasing blood flow, tissue swelling, and lubrication.
All the important steps to get in the mood.
In fact, research shows that thanks to vibrators, people experience more pleasurable genital sensations during sex and that these sensations can increase their desire and interest in sexual exploration. Vibe users also reported higher satisfaction and lower sexual stress.
Additionally, a nationally representative U.S. survey found that women with positive attitudes toward vibrator use were more likely to report higher rates of arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and satisfaction, as well as less pain.
And for all of you gentlemen: One study also found that a partner’s openness to vibrators is linked to increased sexual satisfaction, especially among heterosexual women.
Dr. Lyndsey Harper, an obstetrician and gynecologist and CEO and founder of sexual health app Rosy, also touts the benefits for couples, saying they can help achieve simultaneous orgasm during sex with your partner and bring novelty to a relationship.
Reaching the big O
Vibrators can help users achieve orgasm.
This can be a relief, especially for those who have low sensitivity, difficulty having an orgasm, or who suffer from anorgasmia, a delayed, infrequent, or absent orgasm after sufficient sexual arousal and stimulation.
A promising study showed its potential as part of a holistic treatment. Out of 500 women who went without an orgasm for an average of 12 years, 93% eventually managed to reach the big O.
Vibrators also save time: not only do they shorten the time to orgasm, but they also make it easier to achieve multiple orgasms.
In this regard, keeping the setting constant rather than varying the speed or starting and stopping seems to be the best way to reach the grand finale.
For some women, contracting the pelvic floor muscles on command can be a real challenge. When these muscles are weak or damaged, discomfort and loss of bladder control can occur.
Research shows that adding vibration to areas such as the clitoris or perineum results in significant improvements in stress urinary incontinence.
When combined with pelvic floor therapy, vibrators are powerful tools that can enhance positive outcomes and reduce unexpected leaks. Studies show that they improve results when combined with other treatments such as manual therapy, exercises, heat and light therapy.
These results suggest that vibration stimulation can improve pelvic floor muscle contractions, particularly when combined with exercise – that is, regular exercise appears to be a key factor in achieving positive results.
Let the pain vibrate
Commercially available vibrators have been proven to help women suffering from vulvodynia, chronic pain in the vulvar area. Because the vibrations can desensitize the genital area and relieve pain.
A study of 49 women showed that vulvar vibration therapy was positively received. They were asked to use the device 5-10 minutes per day for 4-6 weeks with the following results:
- 73% reported a reduction in pain.
- 74% saw an increase in sexual pleasure.
- 83% say they are satisfied with the treatment.
- 90% felt comfortable when their doctor recommended vibrator treatment.
Cancer patients suffering from vaginal scarring and pelvic pain from radiation may also find relief with vibrating devices, Dr. Dubinskaya suggested in her review of the literature. As already mentioned, they can improve blood circulation, relieve discomfort and work well in combination with vaginal dilators.
Published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine A clinical trial sponsored by MysteryVibe was conducted in April 2022 and also shows promise for people with genital pain and penetration disorders. The 11 patients who used the MysteryVibe Crescendo vibrator for 12 weeks showed significant improvement in pain scores as measured by the Female Sexual Function Index.
Notably, the Crescendo is an FDA-registered medical vibration device. “It can be reimbursed by health insurance when billed by health clinics as part of pelvic floor therapy,” says Soumyadip Rakshit, Ph.D., CEO and co-founder of MysteryVibe.
Vibrators and aging
“As we age, it takes us longer to reach orgasm, and orgasms tend to become more boring — they’re shorter and weaker,” Dr. Dubinskaya said.
“Using a vibrator can help achieve orgasm while improving vaginal lubrication and creating a positive sexual experience.”
Intensity is crucial, especially for aging women who suffer from conditions such as urinary incontinence, multiple sclerosis and sexual dysfunction and who may need stronger vibrations for arousal and orgasm.
In fact, vibrators can be used to maintain health in cases of mild incontinence or as a preventive measure after pregnancy, in the post-reproductive years and during menopause.
By promoting blood flow to the pelvic region and strengthening the pelvic muscles, the function of the bladder and urethral sphincter can be significantly improved.
Introduction of Vibrators in Healthcare
When it comes to vibrator research, the scientific community is only scratching the surface of what’s possible. However, the proven benefits provide compelling reasons for continued health research. Care.
Conditions such as pelvic floor dysfunction, vulvodynia, incontinence, anorgasmia and other sexual dysfunctions, problems commonly treated by urologists and gynecologists, could benefit from vibrator therapy.
Unfortunately, most doctors are not trained in their use or are completely unaware of their medical benefits.
Another challenge lies in the word “vibrator” itself, says Dr. Lyndsey Harper.
“There are many negative conclusions about vibrators, including that you don’t need them if you have a good partner or that they are only for a promiscuous ‘type’ of people. These myths are harmful and prevent people from fully experiencing sexual pleasure. Many people in the field of sexual medicine have called for vibrators to be renamed “pelvic floor stimulators” to overcome this stigma.”
However, women are willing to use affordable and readily available sexual aids for their treatment.
The future of healthcare is full of potential.
Featured Image Source: Pexels/IFONNX Toys
This article was originally published on The Shaw.