In recent years, the discussion of female pleasure has made its way to the forefront (rightfully so), but we can’t exactly say the same for male pleasure. While we’ve done the work to ensure female pleasure is a liberating celebration, why do we still view male pleasure as a dirty secret?
While talking about sex is usually loaded with bravado, most men don’t approach topics around masturbation and pleasure for fear of being mocked.
Last year, a survey by LELO UK found that although almost half of British men (46%) have used a male sex toy, but at the same time 59% would not discuss this with male friends. Moreover, 20% consider their use ‘weird’. The research also showed that almost half of them (43%) don’t feel comfortable talking to male friends about intimate subjects.
With these findings, LELO conducted global research into the topic of men, pleasure and sex toys. More than 7,000 men answered our questions on the use of sex toys and their performance.
Here are some main findings:
- 55% have at some point in their lives used a homemade/store-bought sex toys during masturbation. Half of them (50%) use toys from time to time, 19% use them often, and only 10% use them regularly.
- When questioned about why they use them, one in two attribute this to experience and spicing things up. 20% find it easier to orgasm with toys, and 19% can feel positive changes in their stamina.
- Those who have tried them fall into two categories when the preferred stimulation is concerned: 41% prefer both internal and external stimulation simultaneously; and 44% prefer only external. This is echoed in the preferred toys – 51% prefer vibrating massagers, 40% cock rings and 23% masturbator sleeves.
- Out of the 45% who have admittedly never used toys, almost half (44%) attribute that to their performance in bed, saying they can satisfy a woman without ever needing any help from toys. Almost a quarter of them (23%) see no point in using toys. 10% believe sex toys are only made for women. With 16% saying they are ashamed to buy and use them, and 5% claiming it makes them feel like less of a man, it only proves that the stigma is alive and well.
- One very interesting finding is that out those who are not into toys, a staggering 71% would consider using toys if they could improve their performance in bed.
- When orgasm is considered, 85% of men say they had an orgasm during their last sexual encounter.
- A 2005 study measured the time from vaginal penetration to male ejaculation, finding an average duration of approximately 5.5 minutes. Based on this LELO asked the participants how long does it usually take them to orgasm during penetration, and 48% said it takes them anywhere between 5 and 15 minutes. 22% say they need more than fifteen minutes. On the other hand, one in three need less than five minutes to orgasm; with 1% needing less than a minute
Although there may be less of a focus on male pleasure in recent years (and less variety in sex toys when compared to women), it’s not to say that guys shouldn’t try them. Not only can the right toy unlock pleasures sublime that no amount of “manual” masturbation can reach, as an added bonus, they can bring about numerous benefits spanning stress relief to a boosted immune system.
It is worth bearing in mind that regular self-pleasure sessions bring about serious health benefits. Unsurprisingly, it’s a great stress reliever with first-rate feel-good benefits thanks to the release of all those happy neurochemicals like dopamine and oxytocin. But did you know that ejaculation also ups your levels of cortisol, which can help regulate and maintain immunity? In other words, it’s just what the doctor ordered. With a partner, they present orgasmic opportunities aplenty, and a great way to spice things up.
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