Sex toys, also called adult toys, are objects or devices that are predominantly used to enhance one’s pleasure experience during sex with a partner or with sex worker, or when having sex alone, the latter typically involving masturbation. Some toys may be electronic, others are for manual use.
They may also be used simply to have more fun during sex, to “do something different” in order to revive the sexual experience, to do stuff which wouldn’t be possible without a sex toy, to affirm gender identity, to strengthen muscles or internal organs, or as an object for medical use (or healing) in case of a physical or psychological sexual dysfunction (for instance, using a penis pump to have an erection).
What seems less obvious is the application of sex toys for Body De-Armouring purposes, that is, for somatic sexual trauma release. However, it’s certainly not an uncommon De-Armouring technique notably used in Sexual De-Armouring or Genital De-Armouring.
Sex toys, such as a Yoni Wand, Vibrator, Dildo, or Prostate Massager may be used to explore sensitivities, pleasure, numbness, emotional distress or trauma, for instance in so-called Genital Mapping practices. These types of sex tools and devices may also be used explicitly to loosen-up and relax genital organs or erogenous zones, such as the clitoris, vaginal canal, breasts, anus, or prostate gland.
In addition, certain sex toys may be used as restraints, for instance in therapeutic bondage sessions. It’s thought that BDSM oriented De-Armouring can give participants the means to accept their “darker side” and live their suppressed or repressed drives, fantasies, emotions, and wishes in a safe and conscious manner. This in turn may support better intimacy skills, reduction of anxiety and depression, increased personal exploration and development, catharsis and trauma release, and an improved understanding of the body and one’s inner self.
At any rate, in therapeutically focused practices such as Sexological Bodywork, Tantric Lingam and Yoni Massage, or Tantric Prostate Massage and Anal Massage, the use of sex toys is a fairly accepted and integrated way to either support in Sex Education, Somatic Sex Coaching, or as a more general help in exploring one’s sexuality.
In fact, sometimes it may be easier and emotionally safer for a person to use sex toys instead of allowing the hands of a therapist to directly touch the erogenous and genital body parts, and moreover, sex toys can also easily be used for self-exploration or Self-Dearmouring.
Hence, apart from having an incredibly diverse set of functions that can range from pleasure to healing, from curiosity to fun, and from physical fitness to medical necessity, sex toys can also be of help as tools to substantially support in digesting and releasing deep-rooted emotional issues.