Can Vibrators Cause A Loss Of Sensitivity Or Nerve Damage?

Can Vibrators Damage Nerves?

While clitoral nerve damage from a vibrator is also exceedingly rare, it can technically happen but again, only if you’re using a high-powered toy to excess.

One Redditor reported that after using a Hitachi Magic Wand on his penis every day for months, he suffered permanent nerve damage — to his fingers — from gripping the thing so often and for so long.

The effect is similar to the potential health problems that people who work with heavy machinery and equipment often suffer.

It’s important to note that it wasn’t simply vibrator use that caused the problem.

It was excessive use of a high-powered vibe over months of daily use — but happily, he reported that the sensitivity of his penis remains intact.

As long as you’re not masturbating like this, you’re unlikely to cause actual nerve damage to your vulva, clitoris, or vagina.

Similarly, a vibrator isn’t likely to cause a buzzing sensation in your vagina after you’ve finished using it.

Can You Use A Vibrator Too Much Or For Too Long?

Unless you’re forgetting to go to work or feed your children, it’s rare to masturbate with a vibrator too much, or for too long.

If you’re experiencing soreness or a decrease in clitoral sensitivity, however, you can try some other alternatives.

Sonic, clit-sucking vibrators offer a different sensation altogether, and these are a fun and pleasurable alternative to traditional vibes.

You can also play with toys that don’t vibrate at all.

Alternately, you can use your hands and get in touch with your clit both literally and figuratively.

• Why Is My Clit Sore After Using A Vibrator?

A few factors contribute to clitoral soreness when you use a vibrator, including:

• Not using enough (or any!) personal lubricant
• Using a too-high setting on your vibrator
• Using your vibrator too often — for hours at a time or daily use
• Some combination of these factors

For most people, the lack of lube while masturbating is likely the biggest culprit.

Personal lubricant reduces friction so hands, fingers, and vibrators can glide across your skin.

Vibrators, by their very nature, cause friction against your clit but not all of that friction will make your toes curl while you scream in pleasure.

So if you find that your clit is sore after using a vibrator, try adding lube first.

If you’re still feeling sore with the application of vaginal lube, it may be time to pull back on the intensity of your vibrator or how long you use it.

Clitoral soreness doesn’t mean you’re losing sensation or that your vibrator is causing nerve damage.

But it does mean you may need to take a break from your vibrator for a while.

You might want to turn down the settings to something more gentle or use your vibrator for a shorter amount of time.

If clit soreness persists, however, definitely talk to your doctor.

Can Using A Vibrator Make It Harder To Orgasm With A Partner?

No — vibrator use will likely not make it harder to reach orgasm during sex play with your partner.

Myriad things can impact our ability to orgasm with a partner.

Mood, stress, hydration, positioning, stimulation, and a zillion different physical factors all play into our ability to hit that O.

While it’s true that getting used to vibration or sonic stimulation can make you miss it when it isn’t there, there’s no evidence to suggest that awesome masturbation leads to a lack of enthusiasm for sex.

Vibrators are not bad for you.

In fact, they’re probably good for your sex life in a myriad of ways.

The more often you practice self-pleasure and reach orgasm, the easier it will be to reach orgasm in the future.

Knowing your body is the first key step to finding your own pleasure.

Using sex toys is also correlated with better health outcomes in women.

Being able to get off on your own — with or without a vibrator — will help you have more orgasms with your partner.

• How To Recognize Clitoral Desensitization

The first signs of clitoral desensitization are pain and/or numbness.

If you notice any part of your body going numb during a masturbation session, stop immediately — but don’t panic.

Short-term desensitization is not the same as nerve damage; neither one means you’d have to stop masturbating permanently.

But if you experience a loss of sensitivity that doesn’t return with time, notice a decrease in the amount of sensation you feel during arousal or sex, or experience pain in your genital area with no apparent cause, see your doctor.