Vibrating Your Way to Health – What You Didn’t Know About the History of Vibrators

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Way back in the late 1800′s the first vibrator was created as a medical device intended to treat and cure hysteria – a “disease” which only affected women and was characterized by: irritability, depression, confusion, heart palpitations, forgetfulness, insomnia, headaches, muscle spasms, ticklishness or weepiness (Lindemann, 2006).

Apparently the founders of modern medicine, all men let’s remember, decided that women who suffered from any of the above conditions would feel much better if they simply orgasmed more. Of course, they didn’t call it an orgasm because they believed women could only experience an orgasm via penile penetration. Wasn’t that convenient? Instead these “pelvic massages” and “vibratory treatments” caused “local spasms” which led to “hysterical paroxysms.” Nothing sexual per se, this was medicine, not obscenity!

I‘m sure the women involved knew exactly what was going on. But who could blame them for seeking release where ever they could? Considering how little their sexual pleasure was considered in marriage at the time they probably didn’t care where their orgasms were coming from as long as they were coming. After all, masturbation was a horrible sin – good women didn’t do that! But, good women did go to Doctors…

It’s interesting to note that because vibrators were considered a legitimate treatment for a legitimate problem they were accepted by society and readily used in Doctors’ offices and homes. In fact, it wasn’t until the 1920s with the glorious introduction of film and photographic pornography that the vibrator became associated purely with sexual pleasure for the first time. Needless to say the reaction of the conservative society was to ban the vibrator’s use as such, and the poor vibe became an outcast, at least publicly, for the decades that followed.

Welcome to the Sexual Revolution of the 1960s! Finally sex for pleasure was cool, and the long-lost vibrator was back in the spot light. Since then it’s lingered around, quietly popping it’s head up here and there. Today’s women don’t think twice about buying, talking about, or using those little devices. But has the medical appeal disappeared completely?

Nope. Instead of treating hysteria, vibes are used to treat Sexual Dysfunction. Turns out those pervy old Drs were onto something. Having orgasms really does help to alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, irritability (think of how you feel after a month without cumming!), and so on. Having orgasms has great overall health benefits for both men and women due to the amount of endorphins released into the body. Plus the exercise is good for you too. Combined these things help relieve some causes of sexual dysfunction – primarily mental/emotional ones.

But where does the vibe fit in? Physically vibes encourage blood flow to the genital area which means it gets more oxygen. This leads to increased sensation and responses. Used as a treatment, vibes actually do help women in particular keep their genitals “primed” for sexual arousal.

A good catch phrase often cited in Sexological literature is “Use It or Lose It.” As both men and women get older, those who maintain an active sex life continue to have satisfactory sex well into “old age,” whereas those who do not suffer more genital degeneration and sexual pain. Something to think about. Regularly using vibes can help keep our genitals responsive and healthy into our senior years.

So, although the vibe has been reintroduced into the medical profession as a treatment, at least it’s true sexual nature has come out of the closet!

Want to Know the Gritty Details? Check Out These Sources:

The Technology of Orgasm: “Hysteria,” the Vibrator, and Women’s Sexual Satisfaction (Johns Hopkins Studies in the History of Technology)

The Many Joys of Sex Toys: The Ultimate How-to Handbook for Couples and Singles

The Adventurous Couple’s Guide to Sex Toys

Reference:

Danielle J. Lindemann, “Pathology Full Circle: A History of Anti-Vibrator Legislation in the United States,” Columbia Journal of Gender and Law 15.1 (2006), Questia, 7 Sept. 2007 http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5013997914