Four Tips for Successful Sex Toy Shopping, Part III

Tip #3: Know where you’re going.

When shopping for sex toys, it helps to know what exactly you want to do with it. Buying a Rabbit just because it was on Sex and the City is – as thousands of women have found out – perhaps not the best way to choose a toy. Instead, spend some time thinking about what you know about your body and, if you’re in one, your relationship as a means of figuring out what toy might work for you. For example:

• Do you prefer clitoral stimulation only, without much need for vaginal penetration? Consider a silver bullet or Laya.
• Are you a g spot girl? Open yourself to any number of options of g spot curved dildos and vibrators.
• Like both clitoral and vaginal stimulation? Then a Rabbit-like dual action toy may, indeed, be for you.
• Looking for a couples’ vibrator to use during intercourse? How about the We-Vibe?
• Interested in a condom-compatible vibrator to use with a partner? How about a vibrating condom ring, available in many local drug stores (yes, in the condom section)?

Over time, you may want to branch out to experiment with different toy types but when you’re first beginning, it helps to start with the types of stimulation that work best for you and your body. If you feel like you need a crash course in the workings of your body, check out For Yourself: The Fulfillment of Female Sexuality.

Debby Herbenick, PhD, MPH is a sex researcher and educator at Indiana University and the sex columnist at TimeOut Chicago. Her personal blog can be found at MySexProfessor.com.