Editing Sex toy (section)

==Research==
Sex toys have been the subject of scientific research in different disciplines (e.g., [[medicine]], [[clinical psychology]], [[sexology]], [[queer studies]]) for decades.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Lieberman|first=Hallie|url=|title=Buzz: The Stimulating History of the Sex Toy|publisher=Pegasus Books|year=2017|isbn=978-1-68177-543-2|edition=1|location=New York|oclc=975366290|author-link=Hallie Lieberman}}</ref>

Some questionnaire and interview studies on the prevalence of sex toy have shown that people of all genders and all sexual identities use sex toys during solo sex (masturbation) and - somewhat less frequently - during partner sex. In some countries (e.g., Australia, China, Germany, USA) sex toys are normalized, i.e. they are already used by large sections of the population, sometimes by the majority of the population.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Döring|first1=Nicola|last2=Poeschl|first2=Sandra|date=2020|title=Experiences with diverse sex toys among German heterosexual adults: Findings from a national online survey|url=https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2019.1578329|journal=[[The Journal of Sex Research]]|volume=57|issue=7|pages=885–896|doi=10.1080/00224499.2019.1578329|issn=0022-4499|pmid=30806076|s2cid=73471746}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Herbenick|first1=Debra|last2=Reece|first2=Michael|last3=Sanders|first3=Stephanie A.|last4=Dodge|first4=Brian|last5=Ghassemi|first5=Annahita|last6=Fortenberry|first6=J. Dennis|date=2010|title=Women's vibrator use in sexual partnerships: Results from a nationally representative survey in the United States|url=https://doi.org/10.1080/00926230903375677|journal=[[Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy]]|volume=36|issue=1|pages=49–65|doi=10.1080/00926230903375677|issn=0092-623X|pmid=20063237|s2cid=40761684}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Jing|first1=Shen|last2=Lay|first2=Alixe|last3=Weis|first3=Laura|last4=Furnham|first4=Adrian|date=2018|title=Attitudes toward, and use of, vibrators in China|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0092623X.2017.1321600|journal=[[Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy]]|volume=44|issue=1|pages=102–109|doi=10.1080/0092623X.2017.1321600|pmid=28430028|s2cid=38421982|issn=0092-623X}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last1=Rosenberger|first1=Joshua G.|last2=Schick|first2=Vanessa|last3=Herbenick|first3=Debby|last4=Novak|first4=David S.|last5=Reece|first5=Michael|date=2012|title=Sex toy use by gay and bisexual men in the United States|url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-010-9716-y|journal=[[Archives of Sexual Behavior]]|volume=41|issue=2|pages=449–458|doi=10.1007/s10508-010-9716-y|pmid=21203811|s2cid=24991850|issn=1573-2800}}</ref> These studies also that members of the LGBTQ+ community are more likely to have used a vibrator before, with around half of gay or bisexual men and over 75% of lesbian or bisexual women having used one before.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Schick |first1=Vanessa |last2=Herbenick |first2=Debby |last3=Rosenberger |first3=Joshua G. |last4=Reece |first4=Michael |date=2011-12-01 |title=Prevalence and Characteristics of Vibrator Use Among Women Who Have Sex with Women |url=https://academic.oup.com/jsm/article/8/12/3306/6844414 |journal=The Journal of Sexual Medicine |language=en |volume=8 |issue=12 |pages=3306–3315 |doi=10.1111/j.1743-6109.2011.02503.x |pmid=21981632 |issn=1743-6109}}</ref>

The Internet has contributed to the popularization of sex toys, since information searches about and the purchase of sex toys can now be carried out discreetly online.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Daneback|first1=Kristian|last2=Mansson|first2=Sven-Axel|last3=Ross|first3=Michael W.|date=2011|title=Online sex shops: purchasing sexual merchandise on the Internet|url=https://doi.org/10.1080/19317611.2011.565112|journal=[[International Journal of Sexual Health]]|volume=23|issue=2|pages=102–110|doi=10.1080/19317611.2011.565112|s2cid=143720140|issn=1931-7611}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Fisher|first1=William A.|last2=Barak|first2=Azy|date=2000|title=Online sex shops: Phenomenological, psychological, and ideological perspectives on Internet sexuality|url=https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/109493100420188|journal=CyberPsychology & Behavior|volume=3|issue=4|pages=575–589|doi=10.1089/109493100420188|issn=1094-9313}}</ref>

Many women do not insert vibrators, but use them externally for direct clitoral stimulation, either during masturbation or during intercourse.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|last1=Fahs|first1=Breanne|last2=Swank|first2=Eric|date=2013|title=Adventures with the "Plastic Man": Sex toys, compulsory heterosexuality, and the politics of women's sexual pleasure|url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-013-9167-4|journal=[[Sexuality & Culture]]|volume=17|issue=4|pages=666–685|doi=10.1007/s12119-013-9167-4|s2cid=144190614|issn=1936-4822}}</ref> Homosexual identified men, on the other hand, report much more frequently that they use vibrators for anal insertion.<ref name=":1" />

According to a 2016 study in ''Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society'', in Mexico City, women sometimes buy sex toys to punish their male partners, typically for infidelity.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Tyburczy |first=Jennifer |date=September 2016 |title=Sex Toys after NAFTA: Transnational Class Politics, Erotic Consumerism, and the Economy of Female Pleasure in Mexico City |url=https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/686755 |journal=Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society |volume=42 |issue=1 |pages=123–152 |doi=10.1086/686755 |issn=0097-9740}}</ref>

===Positive and negative effects of sex toy use===
The meanings and implications of sex toys are controversially discussed in academia. Many authors endorse them for fostering sexual empowerment, while some criticize sex toys for pushing the commercialization of sex.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Döring|first=Nicola|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1109843175|title=Encyclopedia of Sexuality and Gender|publisher=Springer|year=2021|isbn=978-3-319-59531-3|editor-last=Lykins|editor-first=Amy|edition=Living|location=New York|chapter=Sex Toys|pages=1–10|doi=10.1007/978-3-319-59531-3_62-1|s2cid=243724996|oclc=1109843175}}</ref>

Most empirical studies show that people of all genders and sexual identities experience the use of sex toys predominantly positively. In questionnaires and interviews, they report an increase in sexual arousal and satisfaction, the facilitation of orgasms (especially for women), the exploration of new preferences, a playful approach to sex and the fun of something new during sex.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Waskul |first1=Dennis |last2=Anklan |first2=Michelle |date=2019 |title='Best invention, second to the dishwasher': Vibrators and sexual pleasure |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1363460719861836 |journal=[[Sexualities]] |volume=23 |issue=5–6 |pages=849–875 |doi=10.1177/1363460719861836 |s2cid=197696589}}</ref> There are decidedly feminist or women-oriented sex toy stores and sex toy party organizations that link the sale of sex toys with sexual education and aim to support women's sexual empowerment.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Comella |first=Lynn |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/963793523 |title=Vibrator nation: how feminist sex-toy stores changed the business of pleasure |publisher=[[Duke University Press]] |year=2017 |isbn=978-0-8223-6854-0 |location=Durham |oclc=963793523}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Herbenick |first1=Debra |last2=Reece |first2=Michael |last3=Hollub |first3=Ariane |date=2009 |title=Inside the ordering room: characteristics of women's in-home sex toy parties, facilitators and sexual communication |url=https://www.publish.csiro.au/sh/SH08086 |journal=Sexual Health |volume=6 |issue=4 |pages=318–327 |doi=10.1071/SH08086 |issn=1449-8987 |pmid=19917201}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Huff |first=April |date=2018 |title=Liberation and pleasure: Feminist sex shops and the politics of consumption |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/00497878.2018.1454923 |journal=Women's Studies |volume=47 |issue=4 |pages=427–446 |doi=10.1080/00497878.2018.1454923 |issn=0049-7878 |s2cid=149662437}}</ref> Further positive effects are reported from clinical settings: Sex toys are used therapeutically, for example, in the context of therapy for orgasm disorders.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Laan |first1=Ellen |last2=Rellini |first2=Alessandra H. |last3=Barnes |first3=Tricia |date=2013 |title=Standard operating procedures for female orgasmic disorder: Consensus of the International society for sexual medicine |url=https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02880.x |journal=[[The Journal of Sexual Medicine]] |volume=10 |issue=1 |pages=74–82 |doi=10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02880.x |issn=1743-6095 |pmid=22970851}}</ref> They can also enable people with disabilities to have more sexual self-determination.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Morales |first1=Ernesto |last2=Gauthier |first2=Véronique |last3=Edwards |first3=Geoffrey |last4=Courtois |first4=Frédérique |last5=Lamontagne |first5=Alicia |last6=Guérette |first6=Antoine |date=2018 |title=Co-designing sex toys for adults with motor disabilities |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-017-9506-8 |journal=Sexuality and Disability |volume=36 |issue=1 |pages=47–68 |doi=10.1007/s11195-017-9506-8 |issn=1573-6717 |s2cid=149352882}}</ref>

It may also help couples feel more satisfied with sex. One surveying 50 couples found that both men and women in heterosexual couples often appreciate the addition of a toy, possibly because it reduced performance pressure for men and increased the excitement women had for sex.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Watson |first1=Erin D. |last2=Séguin |first2=Léa J. |last3=Milhausen |first3=Robin R. |last4=Murray |first4=Sarah H. |date=October 2016 |title=The Impact of a Couple's Vibrator on Men's Perceptions of Their Own and Their Partner's Sexual Pleasure and Satisfaction |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1097184X15595082 |journal=Men and Masculinities |language=en |volume=19 |issue=4 |pages=370–383 |doi=10.1177/1097184X15595082 |issn=1097-184X}}</ref> There are conflicting opinions in the literature about whether sex toys contribute to performance pressure.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Frith |first=Hannah |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/911265756 |title=Orgasmic bodies: the orgasm in contemporary Western culture |publisher=[[Palgrave Macmillan]] |year=2015 |isbn=978-1-137-30437-7 |edition=1 |location=Hampshire |oclc=911265756}}</ref>

Some empirical research has demonstrated negative effects of sex toy use such as sexually transmitted infections (when sex toys are shared without proper cleaning or without barrier methods such as condoms), injuries (e.g., from anal insertion of toys unsuitable for anal use), or allergies.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Dahlberg|first1=Martin|last2=Nordberg|first2=Martin|last3=Pieniowski|first3=Emil|last4=Boström|first4=Lennart|last5=Sandblom|first5=Gabriel|last6=Hallqvist-Everhov|first6=Åsa|date=2019|title=Retained sex toys: an increasing and possibly preventable medical condition|url= |journal=International Journal of Colorectal Disease|language=en|volume=34|issue=1|pages=181–183|doi=10.1007/s00384-018-3125-4|issn=1432-1262|pmc=6318238|pmid=30030606}}</ref> Some women also report that they are urged by their partners to use sex toys even though they do not want to.