They’re the secret hidden in many bedside drawers.

Stored away from prying eyes yet within easy reach of eager hands they lie waiting.

But exactly why is it that women use vibrators?

In one word: orgasms.

Of course, reasons vary across individuals, but the intense pleasure delivered by vibrators is one of, if not the, most common.

Our brain’s sexual response mechanism has two parts: the sexual excitation system, like an ‘accelerator’, and the sexual inhibition system, which act like brakes.

The accelerator treats what we see, hear, smell, taste, touch or imagine as ‘turn ons’, while the brakes respond to ‘turn offs’, such as relationship problems, body image issues or negative mood.

Reaching orgasm involves activating enough ‘ons’ and releasing enough ‘offs’.

Some people think women ‘should’ be able to orgasm without a vibrator. This simply isn’t true. Vibrators can amp up the ons by delivering more intense stimulation that any human can, and that’s just what some women need to orgasm.

But it’s not only the amount of stimulation that matters – the location does too. In fact, most women don’t orgasm during vaginal sex and one of the commonest reasons is that it generally doesn’t provide enough direct clitoral stimulation.

It makes sense given the clitoris contains more than 7000 sensory nerve endings, a higher concentration than any other part of the body. With so much stimulation delivered to such a sensitive area, vibrators can not only cause an orgasm but also make it more intense and repeat multiple times. 

Of course, easier and stronger orgasms aren’t the only reason women like vibrators.

Some women can orgasm without a vibrator but prefer using one for a range of reasons, such as variety, self-exploration and simplicity – after all, using a vibrator on your own doesn’t involve negotiation, performance anxiety, or risks of unwanted pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections.

Vibrators are sex toys that women can use to have fun in and of itself on their own terms.

Provided that the vibrator is good quality, well-maintained and does not cause pain or discomfort, it’s a safe and healthy way for women to attend to their own needs and wants.  

If vibrators can satisfy women so effectively, can they become reliant on or even addicted to them?

It’s unlikely. Using vibrators frequently is very different to true addiction, which is a compulsive need to do something to the point that it causes harm or takes over your life.

If a woman feels reliant on a vibrator, as though her body is conditioned to only respond to its intense stimulation, that’s not necessarily a cause for concern.

But for those who would like to rely less on their vibrator, there’s always the option of a break until sensitivity lowers back down.

As pleasurable as vibrators can be, there’s more to the world of sex toys. Non-vibrating dildos, dongs, anal toys and bondage gear can also deliver thrilling sensations. Why not explore all the ways you can experience intimate pleasure alone or with someone special?