Using a sex toy for the first time can be both exciting and nerve-racking. This is one of the first steps in literally taking your pleasure into your own hands so you can explore your body and your sexuality.
You may feel some hesitation around starting your solo sax practice, but it’s important to approach it with a sense of curiosity about your body and the pleasure it’s capable of.
Self-exploration is completely normal and using sex toys comes with a whole bunch of benefits from stress relief to forming a deeper connection with yourself and any sexual partners you may have.
Congratulations on starting this new journey, we encourage you to approach the experience with an open mind and know that we’re here to guide you with these tips on how to explore with your first sex toy!
Overcoming First-Time Jitters
If you’re new on your self-pleasure journey, it’s understandable that you may have worries or anxieties come up. These could come from social or cultural influences or just normal first-time jitters (both of which are understandable).
Masturbation and using sex toys are both completely normal and something that many people do. They’re not only part of a healthy sex life, but part of your overall wellness as well! If you are nervous about whether or not it will hurt, it shouldn’t unless you have an underlying reproductive health disorder, but if you’ve never experienced penetration before (and choose to explore it) you may feel a tiny bit of discomfort at first that will quickly subside.
If you are experiencing jitters or you feel yourself judging yourself, it’s helpful to keep reminding yourself that you deserve pleasure and that you have the right to explore your body however you want to. It can also be helpful to talk to friends that you’re comfortable with and explore online forums and other resources (like this blog) to learn more about pleasure and sex toy tips.
Choosing Your First Sex Toy
What are the best sex toys for beginners? Ultimately, choosing a sex toy comes down to your body and what is pleasurable for you. Of course, that can take some exploring, but that’s what you’re here for!
A lot of different types of toys can be beginner sex toys, but there are certainly specific kinds that may feel more accessible than others. Many people choose a bullet, wand, or clitoral device as their first vibrator. Others may want a dildo that offers nutrition or a couple’s toy that allows them to explore with their partner.
Some features that you may want to keep in mind when looking for a toy are whether or not you can adjust the intensity, how quiet it is when it’s turned on, and whether or not it’s waterproof.
No matter what type of toy you buy you want to make sure that it’s made from body-safe materials like silicone or ABS plastic and is hypoallergenic if you have sensitive skin or allergies.
You’ll also of course want something that’s within your budget. There are so many affordable high-quality options for beginners, and we at LELO pride ourselves on offering those.
Preparing for First Use
Wondering how to start using sex toys? You’ve got your first sex toy and now comes the fun part – using it.
It’s much easier to be present in your body and experience pleasure when you’re comfortable. Choose a relaxing space, like your bedroom. It’s helpful to have dim lights, light some candles, put on some mellow music, or whatever you need to do to get as comfortable as possible.
One of the biggest tips we can offer is to use lube. Not everyone wants to use lube, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with using it. In fact, we encourage it! Lube can help you feel more comfortable and can make it easier to reach orgasm. Just be sure to choose a lube that is body-safe and water-based if you’re using silicone toys. Oil-based lubes can break down silicone over time.
Although we mentioned orgasm, know that self-exploration is not about reaching orgasm. If it happens, that can be a nice perk, but really this is just about exploring your body and figuring out what feels good to you.
How To Use a Sex Toy for the First Time
Now that you’re ready to explore it’s helpful to understand how to use a sex toy. You can get started with these self-pleasure tips:
- Commit to taking this time to focus on yourself, instead of your to-do list or anything else that’s running through your brain.
- Take a few minutes to ground into your body. You can do this by stretching or practicing some deep breathing.
- to explore by moving your hands over your body in a self-massage before moving to more sensitive areas like your breasts, thighs, or clitoris. You can also use a toy for this!
- You don’t have to immediately put your toy on your hotspots like your clitoris or inside your vagina, instead, you can use it to explore the areas around it and notice the sensations that come out.
- When you’re ready, you can start to explore more direct pleasure on your clitoris or through penetration.
This is your time to explore, so try out different settings on your device, move slowly, and listen to your body and what it wants.
Safety and Hygiene Best Practices
Part of sex toy safety is knowing to properly take care of and clean your toys. Cleaning sex toys is essential to bacteria build-up and possible infections.
How you clean your toys depends on what materials it’s made from. Glass, silicone, and stainless steel toys can all be cleaned with soap and water or a toy cleaner like a spray or foam. This is where it’s so helpful to have waterproof toys as they can be submerged and cleaned with warm water. If a toy isn’t submersible, you can also use toy-specific antibacterial cleaners to wipe them down.
If you want to share toys with someone else, make sure you have discussed sexually transmitted diseases, clean them thoroughly between uses, and you can also use a condom on many toys for extra safety.
Another key hygiene tip is to store toys in a bag or container that will keep bacteria, dust, and grime out. You want to remember to charge your toys periodically but leaving it plugged in all night can reduce battery lifespan.
Building Confidence in Self-Exploration
Exploring your body for the first time can feel awkward but over time you will develop more self-confidence. Especially as you realize how good it feels!
You can help overcome this awkwardness by reminding yourself that pleasure is normal, and you deserve it. Know that if a certain toy doesn’t work for you, then there’s another one that does.
Be patient with yourself and your body and remember to practice self-acceptance. Masturbation and using sex ways are entirely normal. Not only that, but self-exploration is an important form of self-care and incredibly empowering.
When To Explore More Options
You’ve tried your first text away, but now you’re wondering about different toys or features. How do you know when to explore more options? These are some signs:
- You want to experience new types of stimulation (vaginal, anal, etc.)
- You want stronger sensations (try changing the settings).
- The toy feels uncomfortable.
- You’re curious and want to explore more!
Some other fun toys to explore as you move forward in your journey are app-controlled toys that let people change the settings from across the world and dual-stimulation toys like a rabbit vibrator. Explore your pleasure at your own pace. This is your body and your journey.
Enjoy the Process
It can be equally exciting and anxiety-inducing to get your first sex toy. But we’re so happy that you have decided to embark on this journey of self-exploration.
Remember to take your time with your body and the process, practice good sex hygiene, and approach this journey with a sense of curiosity and confidence. Want to explore more? Start exploring the best couples’ sex toys or the beginner’s guide to dual vibrators.
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