Vibrators, Sexual Health and Well-Being, and Sexual Pleasure: Findings from a Nationally Representative Sample of U.S. Adults

Background: Despite the rapid expansion of the accessibility of sexual enhancement products such as vibrators and vibrating toys, little empirical work has documented the prevalence of vibrator use among women and men and the extent to which their use is related to sexual health. Methods: A nationally representative survey of 2,056 women and 1,047 men (ages 18-60) in the United States was conducted to establish the prevalence rates of vibrator use for solo and partnered sexual activities and to examine relations between vibrator use and other sexual health indicators. Results: Approximately half of women (53.6%) and men (45.6%) reported having ever used a vibrator during solo or partnered sexual activities. Most women and men (>50%) cited reasons related to sexual pleasure and relationship enhancement as among those most important for incorporating vibrators into sexual activities. Additionally, those reporting the use of vibrators, compared to those who had never used, were more likely to report more positive sexual function and sexual health promoting behaviors, such as genital self examination among women (28.6 % vs. 19.9%, p < .001), testicular self-examination among men (49.5% vs. 37.7%, p < .001), and gynecological exams among women in past 12 months (70.6% vs. 62.0%, p < .001). Conclusions: That significant proportions of US adults have incorporated vibrators into their sexual lives, and have done so to increase pleasure and enhance relationships, offers valuable insights for public health professionals who continue to develop innovative and effective programs to advance the sexual health of society.