Smartballs Teneo uno - vaginal balls discontinued by Fun Factory - review by Mari

This is a vaginal ball. It is used to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles (your PC muscles), which can increase sexual pleasure and orgasm.

I got this because while I do remember to do my Kegel exercises, I didn't do them frequently enough to make the muscles very powerful. I'd read about vaginal balls and decided that wearing one around, even if it itself didn't help, would remind me throughout the day to do my Kegel exercises (versus only at night while I was lying in bed just about to sleep).

The Teneo Uno is made with silicone. The inner part seems to be plastic (but the toy is listed only as being made of silicone), with the silicone around it. The "plastic" is firm, solid, and completely smooth, while the silicone is slightly squishy, flexible, and has a velvety texture. Both materials have neither taste nor smell.

Since it is silicone, it is a food-grade material, hypoallergenic (also latex free for latex allergies), nonporous (any bacteria buildup will be only on the surface of the toy, versus in the pores) and also phthalate free. Basically, it's one of THE most body-friendly materials, and, personally, probably my favorite material. Just be sure to use a water-based lube if you need to get things slippery; a silicone-based lube will mess up the Teneo Uno.

The design is whimsical. If you follow the "string"/handle up from where it meets the ball, there's a raised design that goes over the top of the toy and back down to the other side of the string. I love the bright color (mine is turquoise and white).

Teneo may be a little large for straight-up insertion. Using a pinch of water-based lube (never silicone-based!) solves that right away. For wearing during the day, the size is perfect. Teneo is big enough to stay in, small enough that you don't notice him, and whatever-size-it-needs-to-be to cause your PC muscles to clamp.

The Teneo Uno performs AMAZINGLY. I loved wearing it around. Besides the handle part, you don't notice he's there at all. After just 2 weeks, I noticed a small increase in the intensity of my orgasms. I read somewhere that the recommended time for use before expecting results is 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, if you aren't experiencing SOMETHING, then you either had superhuman PC muscles to begin with, or something is weird.

My one caveat is the "string"/handle. If you don't have it adjusted just right, then it could be rather uncomfortable, especially if it ends up between the pubic bone and your hard plastic seat (ow!). I found that the best way to wear the "string" was to have it lay flush and going backward. I'd set the string so the two halves didn't overlap then lay it along the perineum towards the anus. Underwear keeps the strings in place.

The other irritating handle issue comes from going to the bathroom. Like a tampon string, the handle of Teneo Uno channels urine when you pee. You have to either hold it out of the way, or make sure to clean it off thoroughly lest you have wet underwear. If you wear tampons, this comes as no surprise to you.

Since the Teneo Uno is silicone, he is super easy to care for. When you're done, just wash your hands with warm water and soap and fondle Teneo between your hands as you scrub. BAM! Not only are your hands washed, but now Teneo is clean and good to go as well! If you're at work, dry him off, wrap him in toilet paper, and you can pop him into your purse. You'll want to wash him before using again, but that's easy enough to do.

Just one nit-picky little thing, though. The corners around the second color can be a little irritating to clean. If you, say, just finished your period, (I thought it was all done) and put in Teneo, then when you take him out, you'll find that some leftover period-y goodness will form in the corners. It will try to stick around after washing, but using a fingernail while scrubbing quickly solves this. It's not much of a flaw, but, dammit, Teneo Uno is just so perfect that I simply had to have SOMETHING to complain about!

Once again, Fun Factory has presented very nice packaging. I've gotten one other Fun Factory toy, and I was very impressed with its packaging. The Smartballs Teneo Uno has a very similar box. It looks sleek, modern, and discreet. I've had other vibe packages that were bright colors and covered with naked women. This was as far from that as possible.

I had great results with Teneo! I used him off and on for a few weeks. I did notice stronger PC muscles and also had stronger orgasms (pretty awesome). I suspect if I used him more regularly and for a longer period, I'd have epic PC muscles.

Besides adjusting the string so it would lay flat, the corners of the secondary color needing a fingernail to remove leftover period ick, Teneo has been utterly amazing! Those two things are such silly little complaints that they give NO REASON to avoid Teneo. For such a fantastic, high quality toy, $25 is a steal!

Sadly, I didn't get my PC muscles strong enough that my S.O. noticed. Remember, I'd only been using Teneo on and off for a few weeks. The package says to expect results after 6 weeks and this was after, at best, 3 or 4. We'd been doing cowgirl and I was clamping down. He stopped me and asked what was going on, since I had "that expectant look". After being told I was trying to use my PC muscles, he said he noticed a teeny tiny difference, but not much. Ah well. More to aspire for!