Posted On July 28, 2022.

It’s no secret that sex toys for men are something of a taboo concept. While the past few decades have seen feminism change gears in a big way when it comes to sex, championing female pleasure and seeing the use of sex toys as a means for women to get in touch with their pleasure in an affirming way, the same cannot be said for guys.

Articles have been asking this question for years now — why does there remain a kind of taboo around male sex toys? Ironically, sex toys intended for men and people with penises may sell more than their counterparts for women and those with clitorises.

“Because of the taboo surrounding sex toys, there’s not a clear way to measure sex toy purchases, says Melissa A Vitale, a publicist who’s previously worked with numerous best-selling sex toy brands. “Many people will use cash or go as far as paying with Bitcoin in order to avoid putting intimate sales on their credit card.”

Still, Ashton Egner, marketing and communications manager at Kiiroo, says that they see more sales for toys for penis-owners. So if sex toys for men are so common, why are they still seen as something to hide for so many?

“There’s a massive stigma surrounding male sex toy use that doesn’t exist for females,” says Vitale. “It’s considered erotic and desired to see a woman masturbate, but taboo and predatory for a male to have a masturbator. Sex toy brands are taking this opportunity to create toys that bust the stigma. The cult-classic Fleshlights were once considered taboo and Tenga has turned masturbators into works of art.”

But sex toys can genuinely add to your life. So if you’re a guy who’s always looked down on them, let’s look into some reasons why you should consider changing your mind.

Sex Toy Benefits vs. Traditional Masturbation

“There are so many benefits to owning and using sex toys,” says Egner. “Stress relief, better sleep and burning calories are some common benefits. We’ve found that Kiiroo users have also named improving communication, learning about their body and their partner’s body and learning to explore fantasies in a safe environment as additional benefits.”

“There are many amazing reasons to own and use sex toys — especially when you find the right products for you,” she adds.

The difference between traditional masturbation and using a toy “depends on the type of toy you’re using,” says Egner.

“Generally, masturbating with one’s hands can be tiring and takes away from the experience of getting off,” she says. “In addition to helping you get off quicker, easier and in a less tiresome way, sex toys can stimulate the body in ways that your hands cannot, with automated vibrations, thrusting and sucking sensations.”

“Additionally, some sex toys can be used completely hands-free, which can help those that may not have full use of their hands to enjoy masturbation when they normally would not be able to,” Egner notes. “High-tech sex toys can also add fantasy to masturbation by syncing with adult and VR content, as well as webcam platforms.”

“Similar to how a handjob from a partner feels different than using your own digits, a masturbator offers a unique sensation,” says Vitale, noting that the typical closed-end style can mean you don’t have to deal with as much cleanup hassle. “Many masturbators are styled with bumps and grooves designed for pleasure,” she adds.

Ultimately, though, if you’ve never tried one before, you might wonder what the point of getting a sex toy is — after all, your hand is free, and whether you’re using high-quality lube or just drug-store lotion, lube isn’t especially expensive. (For that matter, saliva is free too, and stroking yourself with no lubricant at all is also a perfectly viable way to orgasm.)

But as Vitale points out, “Sex toys are a fabulous opportunity to elevate and explore your pleasure with or without a partner.”

Sure, there’s no harm in staying the course and trying what you’ve always tried. Your tried-and-true technique might just be your favorite way to masturbate. But what about exploring a little bit? The thing with sexual pleasure is that there are so many different ways to have it, and no matter how experienced you are, new experiences can still be pleasant surprises.

Common Sex Toy Types for Men

“Besides speciality and custom options, the most common types of sex toys marketed to men and penis-owners are masturbators and prostate massagers,” says Vitale. In short, toys to stimulate the penis and the anus. So what are some of the basic types worth noting?

Basic Strokers

“Masturbators like Fleshlight and TENGA products are the sex toy version of a gym sock and lotion: add a little lubricant and instead of your hand, penis-owners can experience a unique sensation while jacking off.”

Strokers are also a great option for “users wanting the look and feel of the human body,” says Egner. “For example, Kiiroo’s FeelStar strokers are personalized strokers molded to some of the industry’s most popular models, stars and influencers.”

Automatic Strokers

Of course, it’s the 21st century, so there’s a high-tech version of this kind of toy, too — one that does the work for you.

“Masturbators are a great option for users looking to upgrade their sex toy use, as there are many advanced options,” says Egner. “For example, the Pulse Solo Interactive stimulates the perineum and can give the user hands-free orgasms without the need for stroking. Or Kiiroo’s Keon, which is not only capable of 230 strokes per minute, but can also sync with compatible toys for partner play and adult content and camming platforms, allowing users to fulfill new fantasies.”

There are also toys that simulate a real-life blowjob, like Autoblow products.

Butt Plugs

Sick of sticking your penis into things? Anal pleasure isn’t for every guy but it’s something that many guys who haven’t yet tried it might get a kick out of.

“Butt plugs are a great option for those that want to experiment with anal play,” says Egner, emphasizing that they can be enjoyed “regardless of sexual identity.”.

Prostate Vibrators

Want to take it up another level? The same way there are low-tech strokers and then automated strokers, there exists a more complex version of the butt plug — the anal vibrator.

“Prostate massagers are like butt plugs, but they are typically designed to target the prostate, or the walnut-feeling bundle of nerves inside the anal canal for penis-owners,” says Vitale. “Not all butt plugs are designed to stimulate the prostate, so make sure you’re looking for those that do.”

Original Post: Should You Buy a Sex Toy for Yourself?