Sex toys

A sex toy is any object or device that is primarily used in facilitating human sexual pleasure. This term can also include BDSM apparatuses, sex furniture, sex swings, fisting sling, or angled cushions and shaped pillows. The most popular sex toys are designed to resemble human genitals and can be classified as vibrating or non-vibrating. Sex toys usually do not include contraceptives, pornography, or condoms.

A related "softer" term is adult toy. Another related term is marital aid, often used as a euphemism for sex toys, although marital aid is broader as it can also be applied to drugs and herbs marketed as supposedly enhancing or prolonging sex.

Vibrators

Vibrators are vibrating devices intended to stimulate the nerves of the body. Vibrators intended for sexual use are often dildo-shaped, although they also come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, allowing internal as well as external use.

• Penetrative vibrators usually measure twelve to eighteen centimeters (five to seven inches) in length and two to five centimeters (one to two inches) wide to mimic the size of an actual penis.
• Anal vibrators are typically shorter than general penetrative vibrators, and have a flared base to prevent the device from becoming lodged in the rectum.
• The G-spot vibrator is curved at the end to facilitate stimulation of the female G-spot.
• Bullet vibrators are small, bullet-shaped vibrators that can be used for direct stimulation or inserted into other sex toys to increase stimulation.
• Vibrator wands, such as the Hitachi Magic Wand, are large vibrators that generally plug into a wall (versus operating on battery power) and are marketed as back massagers. They are typically used for clitoral stimulation.
• The rabbit vibrator, of which there are several variations, is a popular female sex toy popularized by the television series Sex and the City. It comprises an insertable shaft which often has additional functionality, such as rotation and internal beads or a thrusting action. Attached to the shaft is a vibrating clitoral stimulator. For most rabbit vibrators this comes in the form of "bunny ears" which sit either side of the clitoris.
• Luxury Vibrators entered the market around 2000 with an increased focus on design and the use of precious materials that appeal to the more upscale fashion market. They are designed by companies such as Jimmyjane and sold by high-end retailers such as Fred Segal.

Penile toys

• "Pocket pussies" or "vaginas" or "masturbators" are modelled to accept a penis for simulated intercourse. They can be shaped like vaginas, anuses, or anything with a hole for penetration.
• Cock rings in their most basic form enhance and prolong a man's erection by keeping blood inside the penis. A man may wear a cock ring because he has erectile difficulties, or because he likes the particular sensation of tightness and engorgement that wearing one provides. Some models include a protruding clitoral stimulator, designed to stimulate the clitoris during sex. Others vibrate, either vibrating the ring itself, or in a popular 'Dolphin' variant using two removable bullet vibrators to provide stimulation to the testicles and clitoris. Some cock rings have vibrators attached which can be worn to stimulate a partner during sexual intercourse, especially in the scrotum or perineum.
• A triple crown is a cock ring that has additional rings for restraining the testicles. In orgasm, the testicles usually retract toward the body before ejaculation. A triple crown changes and intensifies the sensation of orgasm by forcing the testicles to stay away from the body.
• A cock harness is a more elaborate harness designed to be worn around the penis and scrotum. Its intention is similar to that of a cock ring. Often associated with BDSM activities such as cock and ball torture.
• A ball lock is an ordinary padlock fastened around the male scrotum, separating the testicles away from the penis and not removable except by key or combination.
• A penis sleeve is a cylindrical device that is placed on the shaft of the penis, with the aim of increasing stimulation for the person being penetrated. They often have soft bumps intended to provide further stimulation.
• A penis extension is a partially hollow device like a very short dildo, with the hollow end placed on the end of the penis, intended to increase the effective length of the penis, again for the benefit of the person being penetrated. These are generally worn with condoms to prevent them from falling off during use.
• A docking sleeve is a cylindrical device similar to a penis sleeve, but is open at both ends, so that two men can dock.

Nipple toys

• A nipple clamp is a clamp used to stimulate the nipples by applying varying degrees of pressure.
• Suction devices are generally either rubber or glass, fit around the nipple, and cause nipples to become more sensitive due to engorgement. Glass suction devices may use either heat or a pump to create suction.

Anal toys

• Butt Plugs are shorter dildos intended for anal insertion. They tend to have a flared base to prevent the device from becoming lodged in the rectum.
• Anal Beads are balls or bumps on a string or a semi-rigid wand. They are inserted into the rectum and then removed with varying speeds.
• Prostate Massage toys are specially curved dildos that aim to stimulate the prostate.

Flesh-like materials used in sex toys

• Silicone is soft and lifelike, it is hypoallergenic, warms up quickly to body temperature, non-porous therefore easy to clean (with mild soap and water, or boiled for sterilization). Unlike jelly rubber and other porous materials, silicone can be sterilized in temperatures up to 600 degrees F. It can be bleached in a 10% bleach solution. When using lubricants with silicone sex toys it's important that silicone or silicone based lubricants are not used to avoid damage to the toy.

• Cyberskin, also known under other brand names, a thermal plastic elastomer (mixture of PVC and silicone), is currently the closest emulation of real skin. As it is porous, it cannot be sterilized completely but may be cleaned with anti-bacterial soap and water. Bacteria can build up easily in the toy and should never be used if there is a tear or hole in the cyberskin. A water based lubricant is best for Cyberskin toys.

• Latex rubber, also called jelly rubber, is commonly used for sex toys; it is a flexible and inexpensive material allowing the user more options in size and look. While latex is commonly used and less expensive it can be allergenic to some people. Latex is very porous and it must be cleaned thoroughly (with an antibactierial and water or sex toy cleaner). Even with cleaning, it cannot be sterilized. Like Cyberskin, all usage must be discontinued if there is a tear or hole in the rubber. Most rubber toys contain pthalates, a chemical used to soften rubber (also present in household items that contain plastic, such as baby bottles), that has been proven to cause cancer in animal experiments. Due to its porousness and the presence of pthalates, it is recommended by many experts that one use a condom with each use for protection against bacterial infection or adverse effects by pthalates. Water and silicone-based lubricants can be used with Latex toys, oil-based lubricants and petroleum jelly should never be used with latex as these will disintegrate the toy.