{"id":40407,"date":"2023-05-12T06:45:57","date_gmt":"2023-05-12T04:45:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/?p=40407"},"modified":"2024-10-30T05:14:32","modified_gmt":"2024-10-30T04:14:32","slug":"prescription-vibrators","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/prescription-vibrators\/","title":{"rendered":"Should You Be Able to Get a Prescription for Vibrators?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Using a vibrator<\/span><\/a> can help you amp up your sex life whether it\u2019s during masturbation or with a partner. But it isn\u2019t all fun and games. Vibrators also have therapeutic applications and can help with various medical conditions. That begs the question \u2013 should you be able to get a prescription for a vibrator?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The History of Vibrators in Medicine<\/b><\/h2>\n

Long before you had an endless selection of <\/span>rabbit<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>bullet<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>G-spot vibrators<\/span><\/a> to choose from, vibrators were thought to have been used in a medical context. A lot of people think that vibrators were invented in the 20th century to treat \u201chysteria in women,\u201d an outdated umbrella term that encompassed everything from chest pain, to increased heart rate, to excessive emotions, and an increased or decreased sex drive.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The supposed \u201ctreatment\u201d for hysteria was supposedly orgasms. At one point, doctors \u201cadministered\u201d them by hand, before vibrators started being used to save them from carpal tunnel syndrome \u2013 not to mention emotional distress and possible trauma for the patients.<\/span><\/p>\n

This theory has mostly been debunked<\/span><\/a>, but still is part of the historical (fiction) of the use of vibrators in medicine. What more likely happened was that cis-women and people with vaginas began using \u201cvibrators\u201d advertised as back and neck massagers for more intimate purposes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Vibrators for Pelvic Floor Health<\/b><\/h2>\n

While the history of vibrators in gynecological medicine may not be accurate, they may have a place in healthcare now. Let\u2019s take a look at <\/span>the pelvic floor<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The pelvic floor is a wide network of muscles and connective tissues that support the internal organs like the uterus, bladder, and bowel. A healthy pelvic floor is necessary for functions like going to the bathroom, having a vaginal birth, and having sex\/orgasms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As strong as the pelvic floor is, it is also fairly common for people to experience injuries or issues with it. An estimated one in three AFAB (assigned female at birth) will experience a pelvic floor disorder in their lifetime. Pelvic floor disorders can lead to pelvic organ prolapse, incontinence, bowel control problems, and difficulties with sex.<\/span><\/p>\n

When it comes to treating pelvic floor dysfunction, many people turn to pelvic floor physical therapy (a great option) and\/or surgery. Another treatment option? Using vibrators. <\/span>The use of vibrators for pelvic floor dysfunction<\/span><\/a> has been shown to help decrease urinary symptoms and leakage, and significantly improve pelvic muscle strength.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Vibrators for Vulvar Pain<\/b><\/h2>\n

Another gynecological issue that can interfere with people\u2019s sex lives, and overall health is vulvar pain. Vulvodynia is chronic vulvar pain that has lasted for at least three months. The cause of it is not well understood, and neither is treatment for it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some people only experience vulvodynia during sex, penetrative or otherwise, but some people also have it during daily activities like walking, sitting, and exercising. This not only affect people\u2019s sex functioning and relationships, but their daily lives as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Vulvodynia is addressed with a wide range of treatment options including using topical or injectable medications (steroids, local anesthesia, estrogen, etc.), physical therapy, the use of antidepressants, and even surgically removing the affected skin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A newer treatment called \u201c<\/span>Vulvar Vibration Therapy<\/span><\/a>\u201d, VVT, aims to target nerve functioning through the use of a vibratory stimulus, aka a vibrator. One study found that 83% of people with vulvar pain surveyed experienced a decrease in pain, while 70% reported sex as being less painful and more enjoyable. Another point for vibrators!<\/span><\/p>\n \r\n\t\t\t \r\n \r\n\t\t