Can excessive vibrator use desensitise your vagina?

We’re all guilty of engaging in a little (or a lot of) female pleasure whenever the urge strikes, and unashamedly so! There’s nothing wrong with a little solo exploration of the female nether regions to reach orgasm. Like all good explorations, it’s important to take the right equipment. And in this case, we’re talking about every girls favourite sex toy; the vibrator.

When it comes to shaking things up in the bedroom, you have to admit the vibrator is an absolute game-changer. Whether it’s solo or partnered play, no other form of sexual activity can deliver the mind-blowing sexual stimulation on par with those satisfyingly good vibrations – they really know how to keep a vagina alive!

But, can excessive vibrator use desensitise your vagina in what’s commonly known as dead vagina syndrome?

If you’re one to dabble in a marathon session with your trusty vibrator every now and then, you may be familiar with the feeling of numbness in the vagina area. Turns out, numbness of the female nether regions is known as dead vagina syndrome (DVS), and it’s caused by overuse of your vibrator (no judgement here).

The theory behind dead vagina syndrome claims that prolonged vibrator use has the potential to damage sensitive nerves around the clitoris and in the vagina, leading to a loss of sensitivity (kind of like an overstimulation injury). Over time, excessive use of a vibrator can supposedly prevent you from reaching orgasm.

So, is dead vagina syndrome a real scientific syndrome? Or is the DVS claim absolutely false?

We have it on good authority that if you’re a woman who loves their fair share of vibrational pleasure, you have no reason to worry about a medical diagnosis of dead vagina syndrome.

Dead vagina syndrome is not a real thing! It’s likely one of those nonsense medical conditions created on the Internet (aka fake news).

This paper published in 2005, suggests that post-vibrator desensitisation lasts for less than an hour. While this 2009 study found that over 70% of women using vibrators did not experience any genital side effects, with vibrator use showing positive signs of improving sexual function (though further research is required).

At the end of the day, if you’re experiencing vaginal numbness after a lengthy session with your favourite wand, simply press pause on the sexual fun and give yourself time to recover. If vaginal numbness persists for longer than what you consider to be normal or is accompanied by any form of pain, it’s a good idea to consult with your doctor or ob-gyn for an assessment.

Overall, vibrator use delivers more good than harm for women who are open to embracing it.

What are the health benefits of using a vibrator?

Sex toys and vibrators play a vital role in normal sexual function for many women, enabling the benefits of:

Stress relief

Whether you live with chronic stress or the occasional bout of anxiety, using a vibrator to the point of orgasm is a great way to get the feel-good hormones flowing. So, don’t hesitate to give vibrator time a permanent slot in your daily wind-down routine. We are totally here for it.

Not only will endorphins reduce stress, but they’ll also relieve pain and make you feel more comfortable. That’s why it’s a good idea to masturbate when you have your period (if you haven’t tried masturbation to relieve period pain and cramps, what are you waiting for?).

Better sex and improved sensitivity

Many women notice that regular vibrator use helps them to work out what turns them on, thus improving their overall sex life, whether solo or with a partner.

And by whipping out those vibrational weapons of sexual destruction, you’re also increasing the sensitivity of your lady parts for longer-lasting intercourse.

More orgasms

Most women can’t reach orgasm through penetration alone, no matter how hard they (and their sexual partners) try. According to a study published in the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy in 2008, more than half of the women surveyed reported more frequent orgasms with vibrator use compared to other sexual activities. Another study published in the Journal of Sex Research in 2009 found that women who used vibrators reported higher levels of sexual function, including arousal, lubrication, and the ability to achieve orgasm. These studies suggest that vibrator use can be a helpful tool for increasing sexual pleasure and reducing penetrative pain.

Reduced depression and anxiety symptoms

Women living with depression and anxiety often experience a low libido which can contribute to a decline in sexual satisfaction and overall quality of life. By using sex toys, women can help to boost their libido and increase energy, leading to more orgasms, which can, in turn, help to reduce anxiety and improve overall mood.  This creates a positive feedback loop, what we’re coining the “circle of your sex life”, where the use of sex toys leads to increased sexual satisfaction and reduced depression and anxiety symptoms.

Treatment for vaginismus

Vaginismus is the condition that causes women to feel pain when the vagina is penetrated, whether that’s through sexual intercourse, tampon use, or an ob-gyn appointment. Yet, research shows vibrator use can help to ease penetrative pain by providing a relaxing effect on the pelvic muscles.

One study published in the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy found that women who used a vibrator experienced significant reductions in pain during vaginal penetration compared to those who did not use a vibrator. Additionally, a review of the literature on the use of vibrators for pelvic pain found that vibrator use can be an effective form of self-care for women with vulvodynia, a chronic condition characterised by pain in the vulvar area. However, more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms by which vibrator use may alleviate penetrative pain and determine the best approaches for using vibrators to address this issue.

 

Improved sex life for women post menopause

As women age, they may need extra sexual stimulation to increase the sensations experienced during sex and to reach orgasm. Often, vibrators can be the sexual tool of choice to deliver that extra stimulation.

That’s because the clitoris is designed with receptors that specifically respond to vibration.

Vibrating stimulation can also increase blood flow and natural lubrication and maintain the elasticity of vaginal tissues. Forget Botox – it seems a sex toy is the best way to keep your lady parts young.

Stay on top of your sexual health and have your monthly birth control pills delivered to your door with Youly’s hassle-free health care.

Sources

  1. Herbenick, Debra et al. “Prevalence and characteristics of vibrator use by women in the United States: results from a nationally representative study.” The journal of sexual medicine vol. 6,7 (2009): 1857-66. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01318.x
  2. Rullo, Jordan E et al. “Genital vibration for sexual function and enhancement: best practice recommendations for choosing and safely using a vibrator.” Sexual and relationship therapy : journal of the British Association for Sexual and Relationship Therapy vol. 33,3 (2018): 275-285. doi:10.1080/14681994.2017.1419558
  3. Tommerdahl, M et al. “Human vibrotactile frequency discriminative capacity after adaptation to 25 Hz or 200 Hz stimulation.” Brain research vol. 1057,1-2 (2005): 1-9. doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2005.04.031
  4. Pacik, Peter T. “Vaginismus: review of current concepts and treatment using botox injections, bupivacaine injections, and progressive dilation with the patient under anesthesia.” Aesthetic plastic surgery vol. 35,6 (2011): 1160-4. doi:10.1007/s00266-011-9737-5