Why You Need a Vibrator

Using a Vibrator For Sexual Health in Midlife

Let’s talk about the health aspect of using vibrators. Last month I talked about how to use a vibrator and shared some basic tips to make vibrator use more pleasurable.  Today I want to give you several reasons to use a vibrator.

The main reason we use a vibrator is to add fun and pleasure to our sexual routine. We might supplement sex with a partner or give ourselves sexual pleasure as a single woman. Clitoral stimulation is the key to an orgasm for most women. But did you know that a vibrator, particularly when you don’t have a sex partner, is important to your sexual health and a way to maintain your libido over 50?

Vibrators and Sexual Health

Sexual health for older women should have a strong focus on keeping vaginas active to avoid vaginal atrophy or other painful conditions that affect desire and the ability to have penetrative sex. Sexual activity does a number of things for the body that can impact emotional well-being, bladder control, and vaginal health.

During orgasm the body releases oxytocin, known as the ‘feel good’ hormone. That surge of energy is also associated with a reduction in pain as well as an overall sense of well-being.

Let’s Get Fit: Sexercise!

Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Yale University School of Medicine talks about sexual ‘exercise’:

“Like any muscle, the vagina stays healthy with regular exercise — it’s the “use it, or lose it” mentality. Deterioration becomes common as more middle-age or older women find themselves in situations where they aren’t sexually active (single, divorced, widowed or don’t have regular sex with partners)

Therapeutically, frequent vibrator use can prevent and ward off conditions such as painful vaginal dryness and atrophy. Within a month, women should notice a difference (even past menopause).” Source

When you use a vibrator it externally stimulates the clitoris and surrounding erotic zones (vulva, labia). The clitoris engorges with blood as the body becomes aroused. Whether self-pleasuring or engaging in penetrative sex, vaginal tissue needs blood flow to stay lubricated and elastic.

Using a vibrator designed for insertion in the vagina mimics penetrative sex. Internal use of a vibrator gives the vaginal walls a workout. For example, when we move, raise hips, and tighten muscles gripping the vibrator (or penis) pelvic floor muscles become engaged.

That workout engages the muscles vital to bladder control, among other things. Toning pelvic floor muscles, through vibration use, sexual intercourse, and by doing kegels, helps to keep vaginal walls from thinning and drying out.

You Deserve an Orgasm

And let’s not overlook the fact that masturbation feels good. Women have a right to experience pleasure, regardless of our relationship status. Because of this, vibrators provide women with another tool to create sexual pleasure.

Also, the pleasure we derive from a vibrator comes from the capacity of our body to respond to touch and to experience pleasure whenever and however we want. It brings a smile to the face, a lovely tingling, and a feeling of release. We’re taking care of our own needs, paying attention to our sexual health, and making a little relaxation time for ourselves. Who wouldn’t want to make this kind of pleasure a part of their health routine?

More on vibrators:

My Doctor Recommends a Vibrator, What Should I Use?