permanent damage?

Contributor: faeriegirl faeriegirl
After purchasing a lelo toy that I am completely in love with, I was informed by a friend that it's been "scientifically proven" that vibrators can permanently desensitize the clit and make sex less enjoyable. Is there any truth to this? I purchased the toy because I have a hard time getting off (with or without a partner) to begin with, so I really don't want to cause any additional difficulties.
11/24/2008
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Contributor: LikeSunshineDust LikeSunshineDust
That doesn't make any sense at all. It's like saying that if you touch a hot stove enough times, it won't hurt anymore. Sensory nerves can only get desensitized by physical nerve damage or drugs.
11/24/2008
Contributor: LikeSunshineDust LikeSunshineDust
Just wanna add: You might however get bored with one toy, so I recommend buying and using a few different ones
11/24/2008
Contributor: Spiking Glue Spiking Glue
I've never heard of an actual study that proved that sex toys can do permanent damage. While it IS possible, it's generally outside the realm of extreme possibility.

As LikeSunshineDust said, you'd have to do actual nerve damage to desensitize that part of your body. There are toys out there that can lead to temporary numbness, however, and also toys that can cause pain.

Pain, you can get over and heal from. Numbness is temporary.

For instance, the Hitachi Magic Wand is *enormously* popular. It has a very, very high success rate as a clitoral stimulator. Unfortunately, I'm in the less than 1% out there that doesn't like it at all. It has a tendancy to numb me out before pleasure is even attained. It's a remarkaby powerful vibrator, so it overloads my senses and boom! That's it. Nothing else happens. I got over it and moved on, and my body was the same after some belated soreness.

Don't sweat it. It's a very popular rumor for people who don't use sex toys. I've heard it myself, as well, and even feared it all by myself. But truth? I own well over 25 sex toys, and many of them vibrate. I'm not desensitized from them, far from it, readily available pleasure has a tendancy to make me *more* sensitive, and *more* receptive.
11/24/2008
Contributor: faeriegirl faeriegirl
thanks! but I think I've used up my indulgence money until about next summer xD I'm pretty sure my Liv can keep me happy for a while.
11/24/2008
Contributor: Spiking Glue Spiking Glue
Quote:
Originally posted by Spiking Glue
I've never heard of an actual study that proved that sex toys can do permanent damage. While it IS possible, it's generally outside the realm of extreme possibility.

As LikeSunshineDust said, you'd have to do actual nerve damage to ... more
At the very least! Don't be afraid of Lelo doing it. *cough* While its vibrations are really strong and enthusiastic, it's definitely NOT the strongest out there. I don't know of too many people who are so sensitive that Lelo vibrations can numb them (I'm sure they're out there), but I'd say that by and large, Lelo is strong enough to accomplish their really admirable goals, not enough to injure you.
11/24/2008
Contributor: Nashville Nashville
Absolutely not. There has never been a scientific study done that has proved that using vibes has caused irreversible nerve damage or damage of any kind. That's a myth that our mothers used to tell us or our grandmothers used to tell our mothers to dissuade them from buying vibrators. They can help to make you become RELIANT on them to be able to have an orgasm with, decreasing your ability to get off from your fingers alone but a little break from using them will return everything back to normal.

I swear there was a topic about this a month or two back, I'm going to scour the forum and see if I can find it for ya.
11/24/2008
Contributor: SerpentLibertine SerpentLibertine
I believe it. it take a long time for me to orgasm using even the Acuvibe (like the Wand) and that's a powerful vibrator. Battery operated vibrators usually do nothing for me...and I started out masturbating with them years ago. I do think certain vibrators de-sensitize you after awhile, but haven't actually seen any studies on this before.
11/24/2008
Contributor: Sammi Sammi
I've been using a vibe on my clit for well over 15 years, and while I often need (and like) really intense vibrations to get off, there are times it barely takes a minute on low, or a few flicks of the finger or tongue. I agree that you can become reliant on them, and I am , but I don't think they damage you. My 2 cents, anyways
11/25/2008
Contributor: Backseat Boohoo Backseat Boohoo
Quote:
Originally posted by Nashville
Absolutely not. There has never been a scientific study done that has proved that using vibes has caused irreversible nerve damage or damage of any kind. That's a myth that our mothers used to tell us or our grandmothers used to tell our mothers ... more
This is actually the cause. They do not completely desensitive you; they may make you rely on a vibrator for orgasms and you may have to take a break (and the length of the break would vary depending on how long you've relied on vibrators) to orgasm with just your fingers, but it's not permanent.

A huge part of orgasming is how you feel mentally. It's why many men say that they can orgasm without ejaculating, and visa versa.
11/25/2008
Contributor: Adriana Ravenlust Adriana Ravenlust
I have actually heard the opposite is true!
11/26/2008
Contributor: Liz2 Liz2
Quote:
Originally posted by Adriana Ravenlust
I have actually heard the opposite is true!
From experience, I know it to be true. Toys have made me more sensitive and provide me with even more powerful and satisfying orgasms.
11/26/2008
Contributor: SilkyJohnson SilkyJohnson
if thats true then alot of girls are in trouble
12/01/2008
Contributor: Tuesday Tuesday
Quote:
Originally posted by faeriegirl
After purchasing a lelo toy that I am completely in love with, I was informed by a friend that it's been "scientifically proven" that vibrators can permanently desensitize the clit and make sex less enjoyable. Is there any truth to ... more
In my review of the magic wand I say that I've been using it for 30 years. Truth. I guarantee you there has been no damage with regular use after all that time. Vibrators might temporarily make it take longer to orgasm (but with no decrease in sensation) but after a few vibrator-free days, you're back to normal.
12/01/2008
Contributor: CaptainBunnyKilla CaptainBunnyKilla
The only thing vibrations can desensitize you to are vibrations. The idea that using a vibrator will somehow permanently damage you is a lie propagated by society to convince women that anything that makes them feel good sexually is dirty and wrong. (I'll hold back from my long rant about the patriarchy and fear/denial of female sexuality.) Vibrators actually *help* many women figure out what they like so they can tell their partner, leading to more satisfying sex lives for everyone.

As for scientifically proven: there have been no peer-reviewed studies that have presented convincing evidence for the "desensitization hypothesis". All medical evidence (i.e. studies on nerve response pathways, etc.) indicate the opposite.

/soapbox. I know I'm preaching to the choir here. I just hate it when people push misinformation without checking whether it's true or not. Faeriegirl, tell your friend to get herself a vibrator!
12/30/2008
Contributor: Red Riding Hood Red Riding Hood
I agree with there not being any real scientific study proving such a theory. I think the same has been said of masturbation in general and it sounds to me like some people are simply against the idea. That's like saying that if you have enough sex, you won't feel it anymore. There's a difference between the vaginal walls becoming a bit lose or life events *such as having a baby* changing how your body feels things. But if women can have babies and still orgasm, they most certainly can use vibrators and not lose feeling. If anything, using vibrators and masturbation can help you discover how your body operates and what it takes to make you orgasm. Every woman is different and without taking the time to learn what makes your body happy, it is unlikely that you'll find the best ways to orgasm.
02/01/2009
Contributor: ordinaryak ordinaryak
although it cant cause permanant damage it can however is used constantly make it more difficult to orgasm with simple stimulation (like from a finger) but thats if you use it constantly but if you switch off and on then nothing bad will happen and you shouldnt have any troubles.
03/13/2010
Contributor: sarahbear sarahbear
It's not true. You can get to a point where you enjoy it a lot or maybe become accustomed to orgasming with it, but it doesn't do any damage.
03/13/2010