What’s the Deal with Dildos?

Dildo white letter sign in the mountains

With vibrators and butt plugs getting all of the attention these days, it’s hard to remember that there’s another classic sex toy on the market: The Dildo.

No matter how familiar you are or aren’t with them, buckle up for an educational ride. Because after learning of the perks of these under-acknowledged jewels, you just might find yourself wondering where you’ve been all this time

Where did dildos come from?

The truth about the dildo is it’s one of the oldest sex toys in existence. Think about it—in prehistoric ages before electricity, batteries or Pleasure Air technology ever existed, there were stones. Stones that could be carved into phallic shapes and stuck in all sorts of places… Along with metal, bone, wood and even bread.

So it was from there that our glorious dildos were born! In fact, some of the oldest dildos date back to 29,000 years ago. Lucky for us, dildos are now made in ways that are thankfully a bit more body-safe.

What makes the dildo so special?

Part of what makes dildos such great toys is how straightforward and practical they are. They’re obviously made to mimic the shape and feel of the penis, and they come in a variety of sizes, materials, and price points to maximize your erotic exploration. Whether you’re a fledgling user or master of the tool, it’s easy to find a dildo that’s right for you. 

Most dildos ange in size from short and narrow to the size of a human arm. You can always start small and work your way up to whatever feels most comfortable. There are so many different mediums to choose from. You can opt for the easy to clean and most popular silicone, to firmer yet durable glass, metal, or crystal. 

Once you’ve found one that feels right, the real fun begins. Dildos can, of course, be used for solo play just as well as with a partner. But one of the biggest pleasure perks of using dildos when masturbating is that you retain all control of the sexy moment. With that, you or your partner can figure out what sensations and motions feel best and keep repeating.

Another major benefit of dildos is the fact they don’t typically contain any electrical components. They’re inherently waterproof, won’t run out of juice right before you cross the finish line, and are naturally pretty quiet. So cheers to no more awkward roommate situations!

How do you know which dildo to choose?

Now when it comes to selecting dildos, you’ll quickly discover how brilliantly versatile they truly are. Keep in mind that just because you’re using a toy doesn’t mean you can’t move your lower body as though a partner is right there with you. So don’t hesitate to experiment with different gyrations, thrusting, depths of penetration, and squeezing of your pelvic floor.

When busting one out for partner play, strap ons are another great way to make the most of your dildo pleasure. Whether you’re a vagina-bodied couple looking to explore penetration, or a penis/vagina pair into spicing things up à la pegging, sticking your favorite dildo inside a sexy harness can bring a whole new wave of adventure to the bedroom. And for an extra punch of pleasure, some silicone varieties even come with the ability to slip a tiny bullet vibe inside.

For those in search of taking their sexploits up a notch even further, there are also double-ended dildos that allow partners to share in the simultaneous, penetrative sensations. There are suction cup dildos you can stick to the wall (or anywhere else) for a rousing, hands-free experience. There’s also anal dildos specifically engineered to amp up backdoor play

Now how do I use this thing?

Regardless of which one you go with, never forget the golden rules for any and all toy use: lube it up and keep things cleanWhether we’re talking about real penises or ones cast inside of factories, penetration is involved—so lube is only going to make that experience easier and way more enjoyable. It also kind of goes without saying, but please don’t think you have to go from zero to sixty, either. Take your time with the insertion process, slowly revving your body up and getting it used to the toy before diving in deeper.

And after all of that, never (and I mean NEVER) forget to clean your dildo as you go! Those made out of silicone are the easiest to sanitize with soap/water or toy cleanser. But beware that some of the cheaper, silicone-like materials are usually more porous. So if you have an inexpensive toy, you might consider covering it with a condom when using it. This will make things easier and more hygienic down the road. 

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Needless to say, we live in a pretty wild world; but regardless of your gender or orientation, a dildo can absolutely have a place in your own sexy toy box. So go forth and have fun uncovering all the pleasure potential that lies within your new best phallic friend. It’s about time they finally get the praise they deserve.

Alex Anderson is an LA-based lifestyle designer proactively raging against the cultural grain. By day she works in television production, and by night enjoys writing, sewing and seeking guidance from the stars. She also finally has an all black kitty named “Cher.” You can follow her alt-lifestyle blog MSFT Living and on Instagram.