This episode of Sexplanations is sponsored by adamandeve.com, a toy store for your sex life.

I'm Dr. Lindsey Doe, clinical sexologist and host of this sex-curious show, Sexplanations. Sex, sex, sex, sex! 

[Sexplanations intro]

A few months back, someone commented on a video, something like, "When is she going to address how bad vibrators are for you?" Hmm. (nods)
This is such a good question! For years now, Sexplanations has been sponsored by adamandeve.com, which sells hundreds of vibrators!
I show them off, how they thrust and rattle and buzz! Let's talk about how they can be harmful. 

One: first of all, the material, which applies to all sex toys, not vibrators.
They can say "body safe", "phthalate free", "100% silicone", but there isn't a universal governing system for sex toys. Manufacturers can slap a "for novelty use only" sticker on them and not be held accountable if you put that dick-shaped thing in or near your delicate mucous membrane. You could say this is bad. Toxic leeching chemical burns are not words I want to introduce to my vulva.

But it doesn't mean that vibrators are bad. What they're made of and the effects of those substances are easy to mitigate. Do your research. If the material is not guaranteed to be body-friendly, verified by trusted consumers like Dangerous Lilly, Hey Epiphora and Lorax of Sex, cover it in a condom or use it on the outside of your clothing or bedding. 

The second vibrator danger is the actual vibrations. I made a whole episode of 50 ways to hold a vibrator without using your hands because my tiny hands don't like the buzzing and pulsing and electrifying repetitive shaking. Most of the time, my clit doesn't either. It's like electrocution, my clit being fried off, and then I can't feel anything!

The vibrator's intensity, that stimulation, is more than some people desire. So, another simple solution: don't turn the vibrator on! Many vibrators are shaped like dildos so that you can buy them, try out the vibrations, and then if it's not splendid, use it differently. This has multiple vibrators. I can turn one on, or both on, or just put it in and fuck things without micro machines stirring me up inside. 

(holding vibrator up, smiling, getting progressively higher in pitch) Hmm, hmm, hmm! 

Maybe I'll want the vibrations later, when my wrist is tired, or I'm arthritic, or your wrist is tired. Some people with spinal cord injuries actually need hefty vibrators to get off so that their boners don't last for hours. Do what works for you. 

What else is bad about vibrators? I think the big one people worry about is dependence on them: conditioning their bodies to only get off with a high-powered device.

This happens. Lots of people have talked to me about needing vibrators before, during, after partnered sex in order to come. They feel frustrated and use language like, "I'm addicted to it!" Then when they try to reprogram themselves by just using their hands or going without, they can't! Where's my vibrator?!

It's like food: if you eat mostly processed, preservative-heavy things, that's what your palate knows and what it wants. It may actually seem annoying to make a fresh salad and follow a recipe for homemade dressing, or eat organic vegetables that your partner cooks for you.