Sex Toys and Tools

Types of sex toys

[edit] Glass sex toys

Glass sex toys are commonly made from clear medical grade borosilicate glass (“hard glass”) of which Pyrex is a brand. This material (essentially “lead-free crystal”) is completely non-toxic and will withstand extreme temperatures as well as physical shock without compromising its structural integrity. Glass toys made of borosilicate are completely safe. A properly annealed inch thick piece of borosilicate will withstand up to 3,000 lbs of pressure and extreme heat and cold. Glass dildos are also non porous and can be sterilized to help prevent infection with reuse. These types of sex toys are not only durable, but also very visually appealing often considered by some to be works of art. Glass sex toys are a viable and long lasting alternative to the less expensive and less appealing toys on the market. ^[1]

[edit] Vibrators

Vibrators are vibrating devices intended to stimulate the nerves of the body. Vibrators intended for sexual use are often dildo-shaped, although they also come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, allowing internal as well as external use.

• Penetrative vibrators usually measure twelve to eighteen centimeters (five to seven inches) in length and two to five centimeters (one to two inches) wide to mimic the size of an actual penis. ^[2]
• Anal vibrators are typically shorter than general penetrative vibrators, and have a flared base to prevent the device from becoming lost in the rectum.
• The G-spot vibrator is curved at the end to facilitate stimulation of the female G-spot.
• Bullet vibrators are small, bullet-shaped vibrators that can be used for direct stimulation or inserted into other sex toys to increase stimulation.
• Vibrator wands, such as the Hitachi Magic Wand, are large vibrators that generally plug into a wall (versus operating on battery power) and are marketed as back massagers. They are typically used for clitoral stimulation.
• The rabbit vibrator, of which there are several variations, is a popular female sex toy popularized by the television series Sex and the City^[3]. It comprises an insertable shaft which often has additional functionality, such as rotation and internal beads or a thrusting action. Attached to the shaft is a vibrating clitoral stimulator. For most rabbit vibrators this comes in the form of "bunny ears" which sit either side of the clitoris.

[edit] Penile toys

A penis sleeve

• "Pocket pussies" or "vaginas" or "masturbators" are modeled to accept a penis for simulated intercourse. They can be shaped like vaginas, anuses, or anything with a hole for penetration.
• Cock rings in their most basic form enhance and prolong a man's erection by keeping blood inside the penis. A man may wear a cock ring because he has erectile difficulties, or because he likes the particular sensation of tightness and engorgement that wearing one provides. Some models include a protruding clitoral stimulator, designed to stimulate the clitoris during sex. Others vibrate, either vibrating the ring itself, or in a popular 'Dolphin' variant using two removable bullet vibrators to provide stimulation to the testicles and clitoris. Some cock rings have vibrators attached which can be worn to stimulate a partner during sexual intercourse, especially in the scrotum or perineum.
• A triple crown is a cock ring that has additional rings for restraining the testicles. In orgasm, the testicles usually retract towards the body before ejaculation. A triple crown changes and intensifies the sensation of orgasm by forcing the testicles to stay away from the body.
• A cock harness is a more elaborate harness designed to be worn around the penis and scrotum. Its intention is similar to that of a cock ring. Often associated with BDSM activities such as cock and ball torture.
• A ball lock is an ordinary padlock fastened around the male scrotum, separating the testicles away from the penis and not removable except by key or combination.
• A penis sleeve is a cylindrical device that is placed on the shaft of the penis, with the aim of increasing stimulation for the person being penetrated. They often have soft bumps intended to provide further stimulation.
• A penis extension is a partially hollow device like a very short dildo, with the hollow end placed on the end of the penis, intended to increase the effective length of the penis, again for the benefit of the person being penetrated. These are generally worn with condoms to prevent them from falling off during use.
• A docking sleeve is a cylindrical device similar to a penis sleeve, but is open at both ends, so that two men can dock.

[edit] Nipple Toys

• A nipple clamp is a clamp used to stimulate the nipples by applying varying degrees of pressure.
• Suction devices are generally either rubber or glass, fit around the nipple, and cause nipples to become more sensitive due to engorgement. Glass suction devices may use either heat or a pump to create suction.

Glass Sex Toy

[edit] Anal toys

• Butt Plugs are shorter dildos intended for anal insertion. They tend to have a flared base to prevent the device from becoming lost in the rectum.
• Anal Beads are balls or bumps on a string or a semi-rigid wand. They are inserted into the rectum and then removed with varying speeds.
• Prostate Massage toys are specially curved dildos that aim to stimulate the prostate.

[edit] General Penetrative Toys

• A dildo is a non-vibrating device which is used for sexual stimulation of the vagina and/or anus. Dildos are generally made of silicone rubber, or occasionally more creative materials such as metals or glass. They are often made to resemble a penis.
• A double-ended dildo is a long, usually flexible dildo with both ends designed for penetration. It allows for mutual penetration between two persons (or for double penetration of a single female, both anally and vaginally).
• Ben Wa balls are hollow metal balls inserted vaginally which can be worn inside the vagina for extended periods of time. The internal rolling is said to enhance orgasms, and enable women with vaginal difficulties to reach orgasm^{[citation needed]}.
• Kegel exercisers, also known as vaginal barbells, also known as vagina jugglers are designed to improve muscle tone in the pelvic floor, and can be used for sexual pleasure as well as enhancing vaginal response.

[edit] Medical devices sometimes used as sex toys

• Medical specula can be used to stretch a vagina or anus.
• Medical devices such as Wartenberg wheels and disposable sterile needles are also used in some BDSM practices.
• A prostate massager can be used as a sex toy for pleasure.

[edit] Flesh-like materials used in sex toys

• Silicone is soft and lifelike, warms up quickly to body temperature, non-porous therefore easy to clean (with mild soap and water, or boiled for sterilization). Unlike jelly rubber and other porous materials, silicone can be sterilized. When using lubricants with silicone sex toys it's important that silicone or silicone based lubricants are not used to avoid damage to the toy.

• Cyberskin, also known under other brand names, a thermal plastic elastomer (mixture of PVC and silicone), is currently the closest emulation of real skin. As it is porous, it cannot be sterilized completely but may be cleaned with anti-bacterial soap and water. Bacteria can build up easily in the toy and should never be used if there is a tear or hole in the cyberskin. A water based lubricant is best for Cyberskin toys.

• Latex rubber, also called jelly rubber, is commonly used for sex toys; it is a flexible and inexpensive material allowing the user more options in size and look. While latex is commonly used and less expensive it can be allergenic to some people. Latex is very porous and it must be cleaned thoroughly (with an antibactierial and water or sex toy cleaner). Even with cleaning, it cannot be sterilized. Like Cyberskin, all usage must be discontinued if there is a tear or hole in the rubber. Most rubber toys contain pthalates, a chemical used to soften rubber (also present in household items that contain plastic, such as baby bottles), that has been proven to cause cancer in animal experiments. Due to its porousness and the presence of pthalates, it is recommended by many experts that one use a condom with each use for protection against bacterial infection or adverse effects by pthalates. Water and silicone-based lubricants can be used with Latex toys, oil-based lubricants and petroleum jelly should never be used with latex as these will disintegrate the toy.

[edit] Legal issues in the United States

In many areas, such as some U.S. Southern states, the sale of sex toys is discouraged though enforcement is rare. Nonetheless the laws are on the books and these laws prohibiting or regulating "obscene devices" occasionally take center stage. As recently as 1999, an assistant attorney general in Alabama commenting on a case involving sex toys and discussing to what end the devices are used was quoted as saying there is no "fundamental right for a person to buy a device to produce orgasm". A federal appeals court upheld Alabama's law prohibiting the sale of sex toys on Valentine's Day, 2007.^[4]

It is also common practice for someone to move a motor home near a proposed sex shop^{[citation needed]} as a means of protest to prevent the shop from opening where the law prohibits an "adult" establishment within a certain distance of a dwelling.

There are organizations that assist those who sell sex toys to stay within legal limits and provide them with news, legal updates and assistance. One such organization is the National Association for Sexual Awareness & Empowerment (NASAE)