Genital vibration for sexual function and enhancement: best practice recommendations for choosing and safely using a vibrator

What Drives Sex Toy Popularity? A Morphological Examination of Vaginally-Insertable Products Sold by the World's Largest Sexual Wellness Company

There is limited research into the morphology of sex toys, and specifically into (the often phallic-shaped) vibrators and dildos and what they may represent in terms of user preferences for male genital morphology. This study provides insight into consumer preference around vaginally insertable sex toys, their features, and what contributes to their popularity. Using a data set compiling information from the world's largest online sexual wellness retailer Lovehoney, we examined the dimensions, price, and morphological features of 265 sex toys designed for vaginal insertion to determine what contributes to item popularity. Using regression models, we found that realistic features did not predict item popularity, whereas price (p < .001) and circumference (p = .01) significantly predicted the overall popularity of a toy. It appears that consumers show a preference for insertable sex toys that are not direct replicas of the male penis, which suggests they are not seeking a realistic partner substitute. Further, we found that the length of the toy did not significantly predict popularity which is consistent with other work showing that women do not place considerable emphasis on large phallus size. Our results can contribute to future product design and marketing, as well as reveal preferences toward particular characteristics of the phallus (whether real or toy).

Rectal Foreign Bodies: A 10-Year Review of the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System

Introduction Rectal foreign bodies may result in significant morbidity, potentially necessitating surgical intervention and ostomy creation. The sensitive nature of the diagnosis may lead to inaccurate patient history and possible delay in diagnosis. Currently, there is a paucity of large national studies addressing this diagnosis. Therefore, we present national data describing the demographics and incidence of patients presenting with rectal foreign bodies. Methods The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) was utilized to collect data regarding rectal foreign bodies. Ten years of data were collected from 2012 to 2021. Inclusion criteria focused on the diagnosis of "foreign body" coupled with pelvic and lower torso injuries. Exclusion criteria encompassed patients without a rectal foreign body clearly identified in the narrative. Patients were compared based on disposition as low severity (treated/examined and released or left without being seen) or high severity (treated and admitted/hospitalized, held for observation, or transferred to another facility). General descriptive and inferential analyses were performed regarding demographics and dispositions. Results A total of 1,806 emergency department (ED) visits were identified for inclusion. Patients ranged in age from 0 to 93 years, with a mean age of 30 years. The largest age group identified was 11-15 and 21-25 years. Most patients were male (64.6%) and white (47.1%). The most common foreign bodies were massage devices and vibrators (22.7%), jewelry (8.1%), pens and pencils (4.4%), fishing gears (activity, apparel, or equipment) (3.7%), and nonglass bottles or jars (2.6%). Patients requiring admission, observation, or transfer differed from those patients that were discharged from the ED by age, sex, race, and product involved. Discussion Rectal foreign bodies are a rare diagnosis with a growing incidence. Though the most common objects are massage devices and vibrators consistent with sexual stimulation devices, there are limited product guidelines for safe use. Further studies to help identify at-risk persons, safety precautions, and manufacturing guidelines may help prevent potential morbidity associated with rectal foreign bodies.

Clinical use and implications of sexual devices and sexually explicit media

Given that sexual pleasure is a core component of sexual health, devices that are designed to enhance and diversify sexual pleasure are particularly useful in clinical practice. Despite their growing popularity and widespread use in various biopsychosocial circumstances, many taboos still seem to exist, as indicated by the paucity of scientific literature on the prevalence, application and effectiveness of sexual devices for therapeutic use. However, sex toys and sexual devices are commonly used and have a variety of indications to expand individual and partnered sexuality and to treat sexual difficulties. Different devices are associated with specific advantages and potential risks, opportunities, barriers and ethical challenges when used in a clinical context. Increased knowledge about the aim and functional possibilities of sexual devices might help health-care professionals overcome potential embarrassment, preconceptions and other barriers, learn which patients might benefit from which products, consider their use in treatment programmes, educate about correct use and safety issues, and facilitate open communication about sexual pleasure with their patients.

Mind-body-spirit model for the medical management of female sexual well-being

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Although healthcare providers are increasingly interested in addressing their female patient's sexual wellbeing in a holistic fashion, most do not receive training in how to conceptualize the complex interactions between mind, body and spirit that drive health and wellness, let alone how to apply empirical data in any of these dimensions to their individual patients. Here, we present a simple mind-body-spirit model, grounded in an integrative medicine approach, to help translate research on sexual functioning and satisfaction into a shared decision-making plan for the management and enhancement of women's sexual wellness.

RECENT FINDINGS

In considering the dimensions of physical and behavioral health, spirituality and sensuality, physicians can help women orient to the ways in which their sexual healthcare can address their core values and connection to others, which in turn can improve sexual satisfaction. The application of the model is outlined in a case study.

SUMMARY

Too often female sexual wellbeing is not discussed in the medical setting and this mind-body-spirit model is a tool that health care providers could use address this important aspect of well-being.