Does the use of vibrators or other clitoral stimulators desensitize you? If that is true then do we have some safe guidelines that can be followed to avoid it?

Your genuinely good question has a very simple answer. It is just a myth that vibrator use makes a person become less sensitive, or less receptive to their romantic partner. All evidence from various research results shows that this is really not true. If you still have questions after reading this article, please let us know!

Vaginal desensitization

There is no evidence suggesting that vibrator use leads to vaginal or clitoral desensitization. In fact, a study conducted by Syracuse University suggests the use of sexual aids has no long-term negative effects on sexual stimulation whatsoever. The Syracuse study results further suggest that sexual aids, like vibrators, can actually improve the sex lives of women. The study also found that the women who masturbated with vibrators became more in tune with their own body's response to sexual stimulation, and ultimately experienced more orgasms, enjoyed sex with their partners to a greater extent.

You might have a genuine concern that if your experience with a vibrator is so fulfilling and fantastic that you may not be able to orgasm any other way, you are at liberty to just drop that concern because this is just a myth. An individual's sexual response can only be improved by practice given by the intense stimulations of the vibrators, unless there is any other addiction or other underlying psychological issues getting in the way. People who have a problem reaching orgasm, if they start exploring their bodies and its responses to stimulations with sex toys generally make progress in their ability to achieve orgasm. And the people who anyways do not have any difficulty achieving orgasm start using a sex toy generally experience no decrease in their ability to continue achieving orgasms in natural way with their own partners.

Is masturbation healthy?

It's important to understand that masturbation, if practiced normally is not harmful unless it becomes an addiction. In fact masturbation helps individuals to get to know their bodies and become familiar with their body's responses. The knowledge that a woman gains about her body through masturbation(whether sex toy aided or self help with fingers etc) can lead to a potentially more rewarding and satisfying sex life because once you know your own body you can communicate to your partner your desires and needs and what gives you pleasure etc.

Too much masturbation on the other hand, whether with or without a sex toy, is not a good thing. If masturbation is causing you pain or any other discomfort or is preventing you from functioning of normal day-to-day life, then you need to discontinue masturbating. For example if you love to masturbate four times a day and are also able to maintain an active, well-balanced life you probably don't have a problem at all. On the other hand if you love to masturbate four times a day, and spend 8 hours doing it and neglect the other areas of your life because you're masturbating you sure do have a problem at hand. If you're ever in doubt, it can never hurt to ask a sex therapist.

Where does the idea that vibrators cause desensitization come from?

The idea that vibrators cause desensitization must have originated from a variety of sources. The most significant source is the "urban myth" that vibrators are dangerous. People have either heard it from someone or heard someone say that they heard it from someone else, that the Vibrators are dangerous but actually no one is aware of the actual source for this particular information about the Vibrators, it's just one of those things that "goes around" ever so often.

Long term usage of vibrators can in fact cause transient desensitization. This is so because as in the case of all other types of intense and prolonged stimulation, whether from a sex toy, a finger, tongue, penis etc, can cause any part of the body to become sore, numb and/or desensitized. Every individual though is different with regards to how much stimulation is needed to cause this temporary condition of desensitization. Some people become "too sensitive" to touch after a quick orgasm, while others can have multiple orgasms before they reach the point of over-stimulation. The good news is that this condition is your body's response to over stimulation, but is completely temporary. It might take a few hours or a few days, but an average, healthy adult will return to normal in a short time.

More evidence...

Another fact that can help you strengthen your belief that Vibrators are perfectly safe if used within limits is that many Sex Therapists recommend the use of vibrators for their patients who suffer from Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD). This is suggested as a way of increasing a woman's sensitivity and receptiveness to orgasm. To support this view here is a quote the American Academy of Family Physicians (an excerpt from a more extensive list of treatments for FSD): "Encourage the use of erotic materials (videos, books), suggest masturbation to maximize familiarity with pleasurable sensations; encourage communication during sexual activity; recommend use of vibrators; discuss varying positions. Times of day or places; suggest making a "date" for sexual activity".

With all this authentic medical reports on the usage of Vibrators, I do hope your fears about using vibrators have been put to rest. There is absolutely no study material to suggest that Vibrators are dangerous in any way. On the other hand there is credible evidence to show that the use of vibrators can help a woman become more familiar with her body, which can improve her sexual self awareness, increase the quality of her sex life, and increase the frequency of sexual encounters with her partner.