Did you know that 46.5% of men have never experimented with sex toys? Well, in ASTROGLIDE’s recent sex & relationship report that surveyed 2,000 respondents, we found that men are way less likely to pick up a sex toy than their female counterparts. Not only that, but men are also almost 25% less likely to use an adult toy during solo masturbation. That’s an overwhelming percentage of men who have never experienced the pleasures that come with using a male sex toy. Unfortunately, a stigma surrounds the idea of men using sex toys for too long, forcing people to avoid the pleasures that could be. 

What’s the deal with that?! As a society, we must move past the stigma surrounding adult toys and allow men to experience all that sex toys have to offer. Whether using the toy during solo or partnered sex, the toys have more benefits than what meets the eye. It’s important to tackle the stigma around men using sex toys because, in the end, those who aren’t using them are just missing out. Before we jump into the world of male sex toys, we want to ensure that everyone feels empowered to use toys to practice self-pleasure and positive stimulation. In this article, specifically, we are referring to people with penises and male-identifying people when talking about “men.” None of this is to say that the benefits of self-pleasure do not translate to others and that the topics that we will discuss are only applicable to straight men or gay men – this is for all men. 

We always hope to empower all people with every type of body to engage in whatever self-love makes them feel the best. So, without further ado, why should men use sex toys? Let’s dive into the benefits, tips, tricks, and everything else in between. There are endless benefits for men who use sex toys, from improving overall health and self-confidence to expanding one’s knowledge of sex. No matter how or why anyone chooses to pick up a sex toy for the first time, we have a feeling that they will pick it up again and again and again.

Male Sex Toys and Solo Play Improve Overall Health

As if male masturbation couldn’t get any better, there are endless mind and body benefits to using men's sex toys that sweeten the deal. As Dr. Justin Lehmiller, ASTROGLIDE’s Resident Sex Researcher, once said, “frequent masturbation can actually be a sign that your sex life is really good!” Men should not shy away from introducing toys into their masturbation sessions but rather welcome the practice into their lives. Some of the key benefits of masturbation, as outlined by Dr. Justin in his blog on The Benefits of Self-Pleasure, include the following:

• Masturbation is good for your physical health: Research suggests that masturbation that leads to climax can boost the immune system and help fight off infections.
• Masturbation is good for your mental health: Those who masturbate more frequently have an easier time falling asleep, have less stress, and experience relief from boredom and loneliness.
• Enhance sexual self-confidence: Knowing what makes you feel good and what makes you feel more confident in the bedroom means that you’re more likely to ask for what you want when engaging in partner play.

Expand Your Horizons with Men's Sex Toys

Whether you plan on using a toy for the first time during solo or partnered play, there is an opportunity to expand what you think you know about sex – and your sexual capabilities. It’s easy to get into a sexual rut or think that you’ve discovered everything there is to know about sex, but that’s the perfect time to introduce sex toys into the mix. Not only are there plenty of options to choose from, but they can create new sensations that haven’t been experienced before. On the contrary, it’s always important to set boundaries when it comes to sexual experiences and to only introduce toys when and how you feel most comfortable.

Improve your Sexual Talent

If you’re not already convinced that using a sex toy can help improve your sexual pleasure, then maybe this will help. According to Dr. Justin Lehmiller, sex toys can help men improve their sexual performance. His blog on Sex & Psychology shares that “men who use sex toys report that, overall, it improves their sexual experiences [1]. Male sex toy users also report better sexual functioning. Specifically, research has shown that sex toy users report better erectile function, better orgasmic function, more intercourse satisfaction, and more sexual desire [2].” In ASTROGLIDE’s survey, 65.2% of male respondents noted that they sometimes or often struggle with low libido. So, knowing that the majority of the men we surveyed struggle with low libido, introducing sex toys into the bedroom can be one way to decrease the percentage of those experiencing low libido and increase pleasure and orgasms.