I recently attended a party with all of these products for sex. I have never used any toys although the hostess said everyone does. Still I have no idea where to start. Can you tell me what kinds of toys are good for beginners? What do men like vs women? Thanks. This is a great question and one that many people have when they attend an intimacy party for the first time. Vibrators of all kinds show up at these parties and the one warning I would give is to know that just like, ingredients that make up lubricant, some vibrators are healthier than others. By far the biggest category of adult products, after pornography, is the production and sale of vibrating toys. The majority, over 70 percent are made in China and sold all over the world with a remarkable lack of oversight. A report in 2001 by CBC suggested that the North American market alone is worth $400 to $500 million. It is safe to say though, that adult novelties are products that everyone wants, but no one is really willing to talk about. European studies of adult toys have shown extremely high levels of off- gassing of dangerous chemicals like phthalates in very high concentrations and that even in small levels have been linked to cancer and damage of the reproductive system. Being an intelligent and conscious consumer of adult products is an absolute necessity in this unregulated market- so please consider this a health warning and ask about the ingredients and the coating on the soft jelly and “cyber skin” items which are popular and often made with cheap PVC. As bad as these ingredients may be for the environment, they are even worse for sensitive tissue. Interestingly, recent studies have shown that over 50 percent of the population use vibrators, both male and female and they are widely recommended by physicians and therapists for a wide range of sexual dysfunction. Vibrators are a great toy for beginners to experienced lovers alike and are positively associated with an increase in pleasure for both genders. When it comes to shape, size and function, the sky is literally the limit. Trying vibrators that can be used both internally and externally is a good idea. Most vibrators that a woman enjoy can also be used by male partners as well. Considering a vibrator purchase, know like in most areas you get what you pay for. I have been selling and raving about Lelo pleasure objects for years. They are by far the Cadillac of vibrators and charge like a cell phone. In a wide range of styles and colors, there is sure to be a fit for any woman. I never get complaints and the products are guaranteed for a year. Another new toy that was voted toy of the year is the We-Vibe. Stimulating both interior and exterior simultaneously and allowing enough room for intercourse at the same time, speaks highly of the sophisticated Canadian engineering and imagination behind the toy. We can’t keep them on the shelf. Additionally the book that I recommend and sell the most about the topic would be Violet Blue’s The Adventurous Couple’s Guide to Sex Toys which is without question provides the most comprehensive overview of everything you ever wondered about sex toys and probably more. It’s a remarkably diverse and wacky world in sex toy land…enjoy the journey. Wendy Strgar is a loveologist who writes and lectures on Making Love Sustainable, a green philosophy of relationships which teaches the importance of valuing the renewable resources of love and family. She helps couples tackle the questions and concerns of intimacy and relationships, providing honest answers and innovative advice. Wendy lives in Eugene, Oregon with her husband, a psychiatrist, and their four children ages 11-20
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