Prevalence and characteristics of vibrator use by men in the United States.
BACKGROUND
While vibrating products have been recommended by clinicians for the treatment of male sexual dysfunctions, knowledge is lacking with regard to the prevalence of vibrator use among men in the United States, the characteristics of men who use vibrators, and whether there are relations between vibrator use and sexual function among men.


OBJECTIVE
To establish lifetime and recent prevalence rates for vibrator use by men in the United States, to document the characteristics of men who use vibrators and their reasons for using vibrators, and to explore relations between men's vibrator use and sexual function.


METHODS
During April 2008, data were collected from a population-based cross-sectional survey of 1,047 men aged 18-60 years in the United States. Analyses were conducted using post-stratification data weights.


METHODS
Measures included sociodemographics, health status and health-related behaviors, sexual behaviors, vibrator use, and sexual function.


RESULTS
For both solo and partnered sexual activities, the prevalence of men who had incorporated a vibrator into sexual activities during their lives was 44.8%, with 10.0% having done so in the past month, 14.2% in the past year, and 20.5% over 1 year ago. Men who had used vibrators, particularly those with more recent use, were more likely to report participation in sexual health promoting behaviors, such as testicular self-exam. Men who had used vibrators recently also scored higher on four of the five domains of the International Index of Erectile Function (erectile function, intercourse satisfaction, orgasmic function, and sexual desire).


CONCLUSIONS
Among men in the United States, vibrator use during solo and partnered sexual interactions is common and is associated with a wide array of positive sexual health characteristics. Future research should continue to explore ways in which men incorporate vibrators into solo sexual acts, partnered sexual play, and sexual intercourse.
Reece
Michael
M
Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University, 1025 East Seventh Street, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA. mireece@indiana.edu
Herbenick
Debra
D
Sanders
Stephanie A
SA
Dodge
Brian
B
Ghassemi
Annahita
A
Fortenberry
J Dennis
JD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008418:Masturbation / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014732:Vibration; D055815:Young Adult