Women's Vibrator Use in Sexual Partnerships: Results From a Nationally Representative Survey in the United States

Abstract

Little is known about women's use of vibrators within sexual partnerships. Data were collected from a population-based, cross-sectional survey of 2056 women aged 18-60 years in the United States. Partnered vibrator use was common among heterosexual-, lesbian-, and bisexual-identified women. Most vibrator users indicated comfort using them with a partner and vibrator use was related to positive sexual function as measured by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). In addition, partner knowledge and perceived liking of vibrator use was a significant predictor of sexual satisfaction for heterosexual women (p < .01). Clinical and research implications are discussed.

Sexual behaviour and risk reduction strategies among a multinational sample of women who have sex with women

“…However, this limitation is also a strength in that previous studies have demonstrated online data collection has the potential to limit social desirability bias and result in more accurate and honest responses from study participants 33 34. While challenges exist with establishing truly nationally representative samples of WSW, the similarity of the reported behaviour rates (eg, vibrator/dildo use) to other representative samples suggests that the behaviours of the women in this sample may be similar to those of the women in more representative samples of WSW 17. However, future research should continue to explore the diversity of women's behaviours with other women in assorted samples.…”

“…Response options and language (when appropriate) for the toy use questions were adapted from a US national study on vibrator use17 24–26, and the sexual behaviour questions were adopted from the National Survey of Sexual Health and Behaviour (NSSHB) 1 27. Behaviours that were not assessed in these earlier studies were assessed using the same response options as the other sexual behaviours (‘Past Month’, ‘Past 3 Months’, ‘Past Year’, ‘More than a Year Ago’ and ‘Never Done This’).…”

“…Several nationally representative studies have assessed the prevalence of sexual behaviours between women including receptive/active oral intercourse, genital contact and vibrator/dildo use 2 17. While, together, these data are useful in understanding the prevalence of select activities between women, the diversity of sexual behaviours occurring between women remains unknown.…”

Bidentity: Sexual Behavior/Identity Congruence and Women's Sexual, Physical and Mental Well-Being

“…The total score was used as a measure of overall sexual well-being. The scale has been validated for use by women who have sex with women (Herbenick et al, 2010a;Schick, Herbenick, Rosenberger, & Reece, 2011;Tracy & Junginger, 2007).…”

A study of human papillomavirus on vaginally inserted sex toys, before and after cleaning, among women who have sex with women and men: Table 1

“…One potential mode of HPV transmission between women during a sexual encounter is through the sharing of sex toys. Over 50% of women aged 18–60 years report vibrator use, and over 65% of self-identified bisexual women report partnered sex toy use 5. However, the potential for HPV transmission through sex toy use is not well understood, nor are the potential means to prevent transmission through cleaning.…”