Sex toys are a lot of fun, but they aren't just for fun. They can help people discover aspects of their sexuality they weren't previously aware of, connect with their partners in new ways, and overcome sexual issues. Most good sex toys will give you a good time, but a select few will change your life.
"Sex toys can actually be a unique, and pleasurable, way to learn more about your body via stimulation and experimentation," Alicia Sinclair, CEO of b-Vibe and Le Wand, tells Bustle. "My goal when designing sex toys is to optimize pleasure through the product design and the resulting user experience. That means, before I begin to develop a product, I spend months researching not only the targeted area of stimulation, but also what users (or potential users) might know about those areas of the body."
In addition to teaching you about your body, experimenting with sex toys can provide insight into your preferences, your relationships, and even your personality. And if you're dealing with a medical problem, like urinary incontinence or anorgasmia, they can be godsends. Here are a few sex toys with the potential to change your sex life and your life as a whole.
1We-Vibe Sync
We-Vibe Sync, $147, Amazon
If penis-in-vagina intercourse doesn't do much for you, it's not you. Most vagina-owners need clitoral stimulation to orgasm. But penises aren't exactly built to provide this, which is where the Sync comes in. You put it in during sex and get powerful vibrations on your clitoris and G-spot, which will probably feel good for your partner as well.
2Eva
Eva, $105, Dame Products
Eva was also created with the mission of making PIV sex just as pleasurable for vagina-owners as it is for penis-owners, and it's succeeded: Many users report having their first orgasms during intercourse with it. Unlike most toys made for intercourse, which either fit inside the vagina (which is uncomfortable for some) or require your hands (which can be distracting), Eva fits between your labia and stays there, no effort required on your part.
3Triplet Anal Beads
b-Vibe Triplet Anal Beads, $140, Babeland
For some people, an introduction to anal sex can be transformative. If the thought of putting anything up your butt intimidates you, these anal beads are a great place to start. The first to go in are very small, and you don't have to put them all in at once. The vibrations, which come in six levels and 15 patterns, also help ensure your experience is pleasurable, not painful.
4The Womanizer Deluxe
The Womanizer Deluxe, $129, Amazon
The Womanizer creates air waves that suck your clitoris in, leading some users to orgasm in a minute or less. Many women who normally have trouble orgasming overcome this problem once the Womanizer's in their beds. One study on 22 women with difficulty orgasming found that every single woman had an orgasm using the Womanizer, with 86 percent climaxing in 5-10 minutes.
5Vac-U-Lock Silicone Pegging Set
Vac-U-Lock Silicone Pegging Set, $93, Adult Empire
For many couples, pegging represents a role reversal — not just of roles within the relationship but also of gender roles. Both people may discover whole new sides to their sexualities and personalities.
6The Original Heart Chakrub
The Original Heart, $150, Chakrubs
Chakrubs are designed to meet your emotional and spiritual needs as well as your sexual ones. The Original Heart, made of rose quartz, is geared specifically toward putting you in touch with your emotions. Masturbating with it can help you address fears around intimacy, body insecurities, and other feelings that come up around sex. It's basically therapy in the form of a sex toy.
7The Yarlap
Yarlap Bladder Control Device, $299, Yarlap
If you suffer from urinary incontinence, this device could be a game-changer. Its electrical pulses strengthen your pelvic floor muscles so that you have less trouble holding it in. These same muscles are also involved in sexual arousal and orgasm, which is why many users also find themselves climaxing more easily and powerfully.
If you're going to invest in a sex toy, these ones are bound to give you a big bang for your buck — no pun intended.