Do you need a vibrator to orgasm?

It may be a relief to know that you are not alone when it comes to having trouble accessing the big 'O' - in fact, it is much more common than you may think! But did you also know that even if you have felt the spine-tingling sensation of an orgasm previously, that doesn't mean that the floodgates have opened and you can experience them all the time.

A 6 inch classic ceramic dildo in a rainbow gradient pattern is propped up on a teal coloured large bullet vibrator. Both toys lie on a white sheet with dark green dots.

So why is that? You've cracked the code once, so what's stopping you from doing it again? And again, and again? For some people that may mean purchasing a vibrator to increase the level of stimulation being experienced - which I whole-hearted recommend! But what about when even your most powerful vibrator isn't doing the trick anymore?

Our brains and bodies are constantly changing, learning and growing. Just like changing up your workout at the gym, you will likely need to change up how you masturbate or experience pleasure to keep bringing on those incredible orgasms.

In the case of vibrators; it is very easy for our bodies to become used to the sensation, and thus require more power and higher intensity vibrations to bring you to climax. You may even need to change the type of stimulation entirely. Such as using a clitoral toy like the Satisfyer Pro 2, which was catapulted into popularity because the air pressure technology used to stimulate the clitoris was a hit with most vulva-owners.

But even a sex toy like the Satisfyer doesn't work for everyone - and it did leave some people feeling a bit left out if they didn't have the same experience as the masses. Unfortunately not every toy will work for every body, but there will be a toy out there for you. If you find that you are experiencing a lull in the way your vibrator usually stimulates you, it may be time to bring things back to basics.

You may have heard that vibrators can make you 'numb' from overuse, but thankfully this is a myth! Instead, the cause is more often than not due to your body and brain getting a little too comfortable with the stimulation from your vibrator. Thankfully there are a couple of things you can try to change this!

A 6 inch classic ceramic dildo in a rainbow gradient pattern and a white bullet vibrator lie on a rumpled blue sheet

Purchasing a fancy new vibrator isn't always the way to go. Sure that can bring more stimulation, but this can also reinforce to your body that you need more and more stimulation to reach orgasm. I'm a big fan of having multiple types of sex toy, depending on your mood, but scaling things back a bit, and re-training your brain to enjoy basic sensations is also very important.
This is where manual masturbation comes in! By taking a break from your vibrator, you can tell your body and brain that more simple types of stimulation feel just as good - and just imagine how amazing your vibrator will feel when you do finally reunite with it! It is most definitely worth it.

If you are someone that has previously struggled with reaching climax manually, then I know this may seem like a big step backwards. However, there are a couple of tricks to increasingly the likelihood of you enjoying manual masturbation. First off; lube! The vagina naturally produces some lubricant, but if you are starting from scratch with a simple dildo, then adding some lube will make things more comfortable from the get go.

Secondly, use your imagination! Our minds are incredibly powerful, and finding a fantasy that gets you worked up will make everything so much more intense. Let your mind take over and work its way into scenarios that really get you going. If your imagination isn't quite enough, check out some ethically produced porn (it's out there!) for some inspiration.

Lastly, change up your position! If you always lie on your back, try laying on your stomach or side. If your dildo has a suction cup base, try securing this to a mirror or tiled surface so you can go hands-free. If you have a harness, pop the straps around a pillow or cushion to secure your dildo around something soft to ride. There are so many possible positions you can try! Don't be afraid to get adventurous while going back to basics!