Toys in the bedroom: use of sexual devices in partnered sexual activity is associated with higher female orgasmic intensity, arousal, and sexual satisfaction and is not related to psychopathologies

Abstract

Background: Sex devices are tools that can improve the sexual health of users, but their effects on sexual outcomes in partnered intercourse have rarely been evaluated.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between partnered and solitary use of sex devices and different sexual health outcomes among sexually active women aged 18-35 in a heterosexual relationship.

Methods: The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 361 participants between May and June 2023 recruited through a social media campaign. Female sexual function was measured with the Female Sexual Function Index and the Orgasmometer-F. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire and the Dark Future Scale were used to investigate psychological health. Statistical analysis was performed with the statistical software R; the significance level for statistical analyses was set as P < 0.05.

Outcomes: The outcomes of the study include female sexual function and orgasmic intensity, as well as measures of symptoms of anxiety, depression, and uncertainty for the future.

Results: Compared to those who only used sex devices for solitary masturbation, women using sex devices in the context of partnered intercourse had higher arousal and satisfaction scores (P = 0.042 and P = 0.004, respectively), as well as higher subjective perception of orgasmic intensity over the last 6 months (P = 0.005) and in partnered sexual intercourse in the last 4 weeks (P = 0.002). Conversely, orgasmic intensity during masturbation in the last 4 weeks was higher among solitary users (P < 0.001). No significant difference was found between the two study groups for all other outcome measures.

Clinical implications: The use of sex devices in the context of partnered intercourse is associated with increased sexual function and more intense orgasmic experience.

Strengths & limitations: The study investigates a novel topic, on a large sample size, by using several validated instruments to measure sexual functioning of participants. However, a definite cause-effect relationship cannot be established due to the study design. Self-report bias and lack of clinical data on study participants are further limitations. Additionally, being a study limited to heterosexual, sexually active women involved in a relationship, results cannot be generalized to all women.

Conclusion: The study found an association between better sexual functioning and use of sex devices in partnered intercourse.

Keywords: female sexual function; orgasmic intensity; sex devices; sex toys; sexual satisfaction.