Plug it in - Electric and Rechargeable Vibrators

If you're tired of buying AA batteries in bulk for your sex toy collection, consider cutting back on your Energizer habit by buying a vibrator which is rechargeable. Not only are they easier on your wallet, because they don't have batteries rattling in the case, rechargeable and plug-in/electric vibrators are quieter than their battery-operated counterparts.

There are a number of vibrators which fall into this category, including the famous Hitachi Magic Wand, with its myriad attachments. The Hitachi Magic Wand plugs right into the wall, so unlike your batteries, it can keep going and going and going...

Also in the rechargeable category are a number of luxury vibrators from Lelo. These vibrators are discreet and attractive, with organic shapes. Many of them could double as art objects and sit right on the dresser. These include the LELO Liv, the LELO Elise, the LELO Lily, and the LELO Nea . If you enjoy internal ("g-spot") vibrations, consider the LELO Gigi, also available in a non-vibrating dildo called "Ella". For a less pricy option, consider the adorable, lipstick-shaped LELO Mia.

If these vibrators are out of your price-range, try looking at the California Exotics brand. This manufacturer creates reasonably-priced vibrators, they don't hold up to a lot of wear and tear where cables are concerned. Rather than a vibrator that plugs into the wall, consider one with a rechargeable stand, such as this Infrared Playpal Vibrator, which uses infrared heat and vibration for a unique experience. Take your price even lower with their Rechargeable Slimline G-Spot Massager -- but buyer beware, there are no customer reviews of this product.

For something truly unique, consider the Delight by Fun Factory, a curvaceous -- and I think quite adorable! -- vibrator which comes in pink/rose and black/white.

And because you can't go wrong with a classic, consider a rechargeable version of everyone's favourite bunny, like the Rabbit Massager 7X.


Products in this post:

Personal experience?

Dear Eva,
Does everything on your blog come from your own personal experience?


Dear Reader,

No.

- Eva

Noisy Toy

Dear Eva,

I recently bought a vibrator but it makes so much noise! What can I do to keep the noise level down?


This is a situation that is troubling for a lot of people who have to be clandestine about their sex toy routine -- either because of nosy roommates, prying parents or just those who are shy around their partner.

Typically, the noise from your vibrator is not a result of the vibrator motor itself but of the batteries benig knocked against each other and against the casing. The solution for this is simple -- roll or fold a piece of paper so that it is the same length as your battery case, and tuck it inside before you put the batteries in. Hopefully this will solve your problem!

Another option is to use a vibrator that plugs directly into the wall, so that it bypasses the clunky batteries altogether.

Good luck!
Eva

New Email Form!

Hello everyone!

A big change here at Ask Eva Anything -- I've just decided to give the services at EmailMeForm a try, which will allow for the anonymous submission of email questions.

You can use the form for Ask Eva Anything by following this link:

Ask Eva... Anything!

Thanks for your continued support!

- Eva

Who's The Boss

Another letter from my mailbag -- I'm sad to say that since I've been on vacation, the volume of mail has really decreased. Have I been negligent, dear readers? Please keep those questions coming!

I'm going to assume that most of my gentle readers know to what this distressed would-be dominatrix in today's post refers... But if you don't, that seems like an excellent question to email in! Remember, I don't save email addresses and will not respond to you via email unless requested. See the 'Privacy Policy' link to the right for more information about how your secrets are safe with me.

Dear Eva,
In the time since my boyfriend moved, our 'sexy conversations' over phone and text have taken a turn into dominant/submissive territory. Usually I am happy to be the sub, but every now and then I like to take control. Is there a way for us to establish roles without messing up the mood by talking about it?

One finds that early on in such a conversation -- or even in a real-life scene -- roles are often established on their own without discussion. You have undoubtedly noticed that when the two of you adopt your usual roles, there is no discussion of the matter, but rather you rely the use of various cues to indicate who's wearing the proverbial pants.

Pay attention to the sort of language your partner is using when he establishes himself in a dominant role. Does he use a lot of aggressive or assertive verbs? Does he describe what he is going to do 'to you', or what he would like to do 'for you'? Does he rely on the use of naughty names, or maybe he likes to give orders?

Take these things out of your man's bag of tricks and try them yourself. Use language that places you in a position of power, that turns you into the initiating force. "Do you know what I'd like to do to you right now?" Fill in with your favourite list of skin-tingling, submissive acts. You might suggest that he needs to be a 'good boy' in order to receive a reward. Consider orgasm control or denial -- dictate his pleasure. Think about what sounds appealing to you and try it out on him, but remember to start slowly.

Your tactics are going to vary a great deal depending on your guy. It may be that what he likes to say to you isn't necessarily something that he enjoys himself. If he responds well to a little harmless female dominance, keep the session at a low intensity until you get a chance to talk to him about it, because as always, communication is the key.

The next day, or even a few days later depending on how often you have these amorous interludes, talk to him about the session at a time when he's open to conversation. Don't bring it up in the midst of any other sexual activities -- the goal is not more word-play, but honest answers. Find out how he felt, what he enjoyed and what he didn't, where his interests lie, and share your thoughts as well. This will guide you both in your future sessions and help you to capitalize on what you both enjoyed the most.

(And although you did not mention this in your question, a word of caution: Do not allow anyone to practice bondage on their own. Self-bondage can be dangerous and even lead to death. Additionally, breath manipulation or asphyxiation is always a risky activity -- there is no guaranteed safe way to do breath-play.)

- Eva

Toxic Shock

Dear Eva,

I fell asleep with my tampon in around 7pm last night and forgot to take it out until about noon today. I have been checking my temperature and everything seems normal, but I am afraid I might have TSS! What do I do?

- Worried


Naturally, for my more concerned readers, I responded to this question via email before I posted it to the blog. ;)

Worried,

The Mayo Clinic indicates that TSS almost always begins with a fever (often in excess of 102F), with headache, diarrhea, sore throat, vomiting, stomach cramps, fainting, and aching muscles. A red rash may appear all over your body and then lead to peeling of the skin over the next several days, like a sunburn. If you have a fever or these other symptoms make you believe you may have TSS, go to the doctor immediately! TSS is potentially fatal.

If you are not experiencing symptoms, it is not likely that you actually have TSS. Sleeping with a tampon in does not automatically mean that you will contract this disease, and here's why!

Toxic Shock Syndrome from tampons is a disease which occurs when prolonged tampon use allows certain bacteria to grow to dangerous levels within the vagina. The main cause of tampon-related TSS is the bacteria Staphylococcus Aureus, one strain of the illness commonly referred to as 'staph'. Though this bacteria is commonly found in the vagina, it may possibly become dangerous when a tampon promotes a warm, moist environment in which it can grow.

The US Center for Disease Control observes that, "The increased risk associated with high absorbency tampons is also poorly understood; high absorbency may be a surrogate for another effect." It is unfortunate but true that the connection between tampons and Toxic Shock Syndrome is not understood and is under-researched.

Dr. Philip M. Tierno, Jr., director of clinical microbiology and diagnostic immunology at New York University Medical Center and Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York City, has done extensive research on the issue of tampons and TSS, and was quoted in the article by Joanna Citrinbaum in The Daily Collegian. He offers:

"Most tampons prior to 1977 were made of cotton," he added. "Post-1977, many manufacturers were trying to address a complaint that women were suffering from menstrual byproduct. Women wrote in, saying, 'make the product more absorbent.' [...Companies] had to use synthetic ingredients other than cotton. They succeeded in making a product that was very absorbent. But the vagina was affected by synthetic products and not the cotton."

It was the presence of this synthetic fibres that increased the presence of the staph bacteria. Tierno is of the opinion that companies, in order to lessen the damage done and perhaps prevent their products from being pulled from shelves, insisted that the dangerous levels of bacteria were the fault of women's misuse of tampons, rather than a result of the tampon's materials themselves.

Althugh most of the dangerous synthetic fibres have been removed from tampons, lessening the risk of toxic shock syndrome, any time there is an environment which is friendly to bacteria (like the moist and rich environment of a tampon) there is a danger that this bacteria may become overgrown.

Only three cases were reported to the US Center for Disease Control in 1998. The illness is rare and treatable with IV fluids and antibiotics.

If you are concerned about TSS, ensure that your tampons are made from unbleached cotton fibres, or you may even consider using a sea sponge tampon! These products are generally available from your local natural foods store, or you can support this blog by buying from Amazon.com via this link:



- Eva

World AIDS Day

Today, December 1st, is World AIDS Day. I would encourage all of you readers to take the time to look over the official World AIDS Campaign website here: http://www.worldaidscampaign.org/static/en/

- Eva