If – like me – you’re interest in sex toys is slightly above average, then you start to acquire certain knowledge. Knowledge that can also be of great help to you.

In the past 15 years I have learned the following about sex toys:

The end of a butt plug must extend

A butt plug – the name says it all – goes into the anus. And the anus is closed by the sphincter. If you put something in the anus, this sphincter will tighten around it. As a result, what you put into it will be pushed inside. Compare it with applying a suppository. To prevent a sex toy from disappearing all the way into you, leaving you no choice but to go to the emergency room to have it removed surgically, it is important that you only put toys in the anus that have a flared wide end. So that end will always remain on the outside and you can easily remove the toy again.

Cheap is expensive

There are very good sex toys that are very reasonably priced. And there are also very expensive sex toys that are actually not that good at all. It’s a bit like with cars; No one will dispute that a Dacia is of lesser quality than – say – a Mercedes. However, not everyone will drive a Mercedes. Yet the maxim is ‘you get what you pay for’. This is a maxim and it is not always true, but do not expect miracles from a toy that costs less than € 15.

Avoid jelly and phthalates

Not all sex toys are safe. Sex toys that contain so-called “plasticizers” are still being sold. These are the so-called “jelly” sextoys. Plasticizers (or phthalates) are synthetic chemicals that cause hard plastic (PVC) to turn into soft plastic. These phthalates are endocrine disrupting and can lead to decreasing sperm quality, infertility in women, diabetes, breast and prostate cancer, kidney problems and so on. You can also get allergic reactions, such as itching, bumps, discharge, etc.

One of the reasons that jelly toys are still popular is because of the price. The hazard is also contradicted by some manufacturers. Do not take any risks and ignore jelly toys.

Lube makes every sex toy more fun

Whether you use a vibrator, a dildo, a masturbator, or a butt plug; it is always more fun if you put a little lubricant on it. Or a lot. Because that lubricant will make it feel less rough. Certainly when you want to penetrate yourself or your partner with the toy, it is advisable to add some lubricant. But even if you only use the toy externally, a few drops of lubricant often works wonders.

But what about silicone lubricant and silicone toys?

Silicone-based lubricant is an interesting substance. It feels thick and stays active for a long time. In contrast to water-based lubricant, you need to reapply it much less often. You can also use silicone-based lubricant in the shower or bath because it does not dissolve in water. Furthermore, silicone based lubricant is often very suitable if you have allergies. The fewer ingredients a silicone lubricant has, the friendlier it is for your body.

Yet many sites warn that you should never use silicone lubricant in combination with silicone sex toys. Because, it is said, that can affect your sex toy. That is possible, but that is not always the case. You will be amazed how many silicone-based lubricants can be combined with silicone sex toys. And vice versa. The tricky thing is, how do you know which lubricant can be used with which toy? If you use a very good silicone-based lubricant (read: an expensive one) in combination with a sex toy made from high-quality grade silicone (read: an expensive one), you would in principle be less at risk. But unfortunately you don’t have a guarantee. Therefore always consult the manufacturer’s instructions.

Also read:

• The advantages of silicone sex toys
• Water or silicone based lube? Choose your personal lube in just 3 easy steps

Glas and metal are highly underappreciated

Metal and glass are the last materials that you may associate with intimacy, warmth and pleasure. Yet these materials have a number of advantages that other materials do not have. For example, these materials are not porous. The smooth surface ensures that metal and glass toys are fairly easy to insert and it gives a sensational feeling. In addition, metal and glass dildos and butt plugs are nice and heavy. Furthermore, these sex toys have something industrial and chic. Dildos and butt plugs made of steel or glass can be cleaned in the dishwasher and even cooked! Moreover, these types of toys are extremely suitable for temperature play!

The misunderstanding about kegel balls or Ben Wa balls

Kegel balls, or Ben Wa balls, are meant to train the pelvic floor muscles. Well-trained pelvic floor muscles can help prevent incontinence and they can also cause you to experience a more intense orgasm.

And the latter sometimes leads to misunderstandings. You see, you might get a little excited about wearing kegel balls, but you probably won’t get on orgasm. By wearing the Ben Wa balls you train your pelvic floor muscles. Just like with all other muscles in our body, you can make them stronger by doing exercises with it. With strong muscles you have more control and feeling and therefore you get a more intense orgasm.

Also read:

• What are Ben Wa balls and how to use them?
• Train your pelvic floor muscles for a tighter vagina, a better sex life (and more)

Remote controlled vibration eggs that do not work

It seems so nice: you go out together and she inserts a vibrating egg while he has the remote control. A common complaint, however, is that the remote control is not working properly.

This has two different causes. First of all, many of these ‘eggs’ go into a so-called ‘sleep mode’ if you don’t use them for a while. So, if you already insert the egg at home and only use the remote control – after an hour driving – at the destination, it may be that the egg has already gone into hibernation. This is easily prevented by either putting the egg in only when you are going to use it, or by also occasionally activating the egg on the go with the remote control.

However, the second cause is more annoying. The remote control communicates via radio signals. And radio signals are weakened by moisture and blocked by metal. If you know that your body consists largely of fluid, you may understand that the radio signals do not penetrate deep enough. Therefore, make sure that your toy and the remote control have new batteries or are properly charged. Also test in advance the distance from which the toy responds.

Watch out for apps and cyber crime

More and more sex toys can be operated via an app. An app can greatly simplify the operation of often complex toys. Some apps even offer the option to program patterns, or they provide extra functionality.

Unfortunately, it has happened a number of times that such toys were hacked, via the unsafe Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection. A manufacturer is also discredited because the app collected data from the user. Before using an app, you must ask yourself if it is safe and how bad it would be for you if it could be hacked. Are you shrugging for that, or could that be the end of your career (to name a few)?