Sex toys can be a wonderful addition to enhance your sexual experience, whether solo or with a partner. When starting out a Beginners Sex Toy Guide can identify the vast array of options, from vibrators to dildos, anal toys to cock rings, otherwise they can be a bit overwhelming.

Beginners Sex Toy Guide
We’re here to help though, with our top ten tips to help navigate the world of sex toys, ensuring a safe, enjoyable, and satisfying experience.
Start with Research
Before buying your first sex toy, take time to research your options. Learn about the different types of toys, such as vibrators, dildos, or anal beads, and their uses. Look for reputable blogs, forums, or reviews to gather insights from experienced users. Pay attention to the materials used—body-safe options like silicone, glass, and stainless steel are ideal for hygiene and durability. Being informed ensures a safe and satisfying first experience.
Consider What You Enjoy
Choosing a sex toy begins with understanding your preferences. Think about whether you enjoy external stimulation, internal sensations, or a mix of both. If you’re curious about anal play, consider beginner-friendly options designed for comfort and safety. Reflect on what excites you and explore toys that align with your desires. Remember, this journey is about discovering what feels good to you, with no right or wrong choices—only personal preferences.
Quality Over Quantity
It’s better to invest in one high-quality toy like transmen FTM prosthetics from Emisil that’s made from body-safe materials than several cheaper, potentially unsafe ones. Quality toys are not only safer but also tend to provide a better experience and last longer.
Start Small
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the choices, it might be a good idea to start with something small and straightforward, like a bullet vibrator or a small silicone dildo. These can be less intimidating for beginners and are versatile enough to help you explore different types of stimulation.
Use Lubricant
We asked Lady Luna, an escort working out of Sydney as an Australian escorts, about why lubricants are more of a ‘must have’ than a ‘nice to have’ when it comes to sex toys. “Lubricants really enhance my experience with sex toys, reducing friction and making play more comfortable and pleasurable. Make sure to choose a lube that is compatible with your toy’s material though, for example, water-based lube for silicone toys.”
Cleanliness is Key
Maintaining clean sex toys is essential for your health and safety. Always wash your toys before and after each use to prevent bacteria or germs from building up. Most toys can be cleaned with warm water and mild soap, but always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, as cleaning methods can vary depending on the material. For instance, silicone, glass, and stainless steel toys are typically easy to clean, while porous materials require extra care.
Take Your Time
Exploring sex toys is a journey, not a race. Take your time to discover what feels good for you and what sparks your interest. Preferences may evolve, and that’s completely normal. Enjoy experimenting with different sensations and toys at your own pace without pressure. Remember, the goal is to have fun and learn about your body in a safe and relaxed way. This is your personal exploration, so savour it.
Communication is Important
When introducing sex toys into a relationship, open communication is vital. Discuss boundaries, interests, and comfort levels with your partner to ensure a positive experience for both of you. Talking openly about what you’d like to try can enhance intimacy and create opportunities for shared exploration. Clear communication fosters trust, making it easier to enjoy the experience together without misunderstandings or discomfort.
Privacy and Storage
Proper storage of your sex toys is essential for hygiene and privacy. Keep them in a clean, dry place, ideally in individual pouches or containers to avoid contamination. This not only protects the toys but also ensures they’re ready for use whenever you are. If privacy is a concern, consider investing in discreet storage solutions like lockable boxes. Keeping your toys safe and organised allows for worry-free enjoyment.
Experiment and Have Fun
The world of sex toys offers endless possibilities to explore and enjoy. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different types, sensations, and experiences to discover what excites you. Whether it’s a vibrator, dildo, or anal plug, the key is to approach your exploration with curiosity and an open mind. What matters most is having fun and embracing this journey as an opportunity to connect with your sexuality in a fulfilling way.
Remember, the key is to go at your own pace, prioritise safety and comfort, and most importantly, enjoy yourself!
Maintaining Your Sexual Wellness
Your sexual health is a vital part of your overall wellbeing. Here are three critical tips that can help you protect your sexual wellness:
Tip #1: Be Informed About Your STI Status
Knowing your health status, particularly concerning Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), is paramount if you are sexually active. STIs are often elusive, silent, and harmful. In numerous instances, they do not manifest symptoms for an extended period. As a result, you may feel healthy, while your body could be silently battling infection-related complications like Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), secondary and tertiary syphilis, or AIDS.
Engaging in sexual activity with even a single partner can expose you to potentially harmful infections such as:
- Chlamydia
A common bacterial STI that often has no symptoms but can cause serious reproductive issues if untreated. - Gonorrhea
A bacterial STI affecting mucous membranes, potentially leading to infertility if untreated. - Hepatitis B
A viral infection that attacks the liver and can lead to chronic liver disease or cancer. - Hepatitis C
A bloodborne viral infection that can cause severe liver damage if left untreated. - HIV
A viral infection that weakens the immune system, potentially progressing to AIDS if untreated. - HSV (Herpes)
A viral STI causing painful sores or blisters, commonly around the mouth or genitals. - Syphilis
A bacterial infection that progresses through stages, potentially causing severe complications if untreated. - Trichomoniasis
A parasitic STI often causing vaginal or urethral irritation but can be asymptomatic in some cases.
While some STIs are curable (chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis), others are manageable (hepatitis B and C, HIV, and HSV), and almost all can be hazardous to your health if ignored or left untreated for an extended duration.
Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and PID
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are the leading causes of PID in women, a condition where bacteria infiltrate your reproductive system, causing substantial damage. If not diagnosed and treated early, patients can become permanently infertile.
Additional symptoms of PID include:
- Abnormal and unpleasant-smelling vaginal discharge
- Severe, painful periods
- Non-menstrual bleeding or bleeding immediately after sex
- Pain during sex
- Pain while urinating
- Abdominal or pelvic pain
Both infections are detectable and treatable with antibiotics.
Syphilis’s Four Stages
A syphilis infection undergoes four stages: the primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary stages.
- Primary – The primary stage of infection rarely causes symptoms, but if they appear, it’s typically in the form of a painless sore on the vagina, penis, anus, rectum, mouth, or lips.
- Secondary – In the secondary stage, you may notice red or brown rashes develop in various places on your body, most likely on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet. You may also experience fever, fatigue, headaches, muscle aches, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes. Symptoms will fade over time.
- Latent – Next is the latent stage, where you will experience no signs or symptoms of infection for years.
- Tertiary – The tertiary stage can begin 10-30 years following infection. You can experience organ complications and even failure. Organs can include the liver, heart, and brain. Systems like the vascular system or nervous system can experience significant damage. Untreated syphilis at the tertiary stage can lead to death.
If a syphilis infection is left untreated until the tertiary stage, it can still ultimately be treated. However, any damage caused by that point cannot be reversed with just STI treatment.
Chronic Hepatitis B and C
Hepatitis B and C can either be acute or chronic, and both can be transmitted through sexual intercourse. Acute infections often become chronic and require lifetime management to prevent major complications. Both infections target the liver and can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer. Without proper management, infected patients will experience significant liver issues.
HIV and AIDS
HIV is an STI that, if left unmanaged, will progress to become AIDS, an incurable condition where the body’s immune system is significantly weakened. Symptoms of initial infection last 2-4 weeks and can feel flu-like.
HIV Symptoms
- Body aches
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Mouth ulcers
- Night sweats
- Sore throat
- Swollen lymph nodes
AIDS Symptoms
- Excessive night sweats
- Extreme fatigue
- Lasting diarrhea
- Lasting lymph-node swelling
- Neurological disorders
- Pneumonia
- Sudden weight loss
HIV is not curable, but it is possible to live with HIV and prevent it from developing into AIDS or spreading it to other partners.
Herpes (HSV)
While a herpes outbreak, especially the initial one, can be painful and uncomfortable, HSV does not pose a threat to your health the way that the other mentioned STIs can. If you contract either strain of HSV (HSV 1 or HSV 2), there is a daily medication you can take to minimize the possibility of spreading the virus or experiencing outbreaks.
Knowing your STI status allows you to treat curable infections or start an effective management treatment to salvage your health. Or, you can gain peace of mind knowing you are STI-free.
Tip #2: Be Aware of Your Partner’s STI Status
Knowing your STI status is essential, but understanding your partner’s status is just as important—if not more so—before having sex. Many STIs don’t show obvious symptoms, so your partner might believe they’re STI-free simply because they haven’t noticed anything unusual. However, they could unknowingly carry an infection.
Before getting intimate with a new partner, have an open conversation and encourage them to get tested, just as you have. This ensures you both stay safe and protected.
If you’re in a current relationship but aren’t sure of your partner’s STI status, it’s a good idea for both of you to get tested. Doing so provides clarity, reassurance, and peace of mind, helping you maintain a healthy and trusting relationship.
Knowing your partner’s or potential partner’s STI status allows you to make educated decisions to safeguard your health.
Tip #3: Employ Protection Against STIs
All eight of the STIs discussed earlier are easily transmissible or contractable, especially if you or your partner is unaware of being infected. Barrier protection, especially a male or female condom, is your best defense against spreading or contracting certain STIs. Most STIs spread through bodily fluids, but a condom prevents fluids from either partner from mixing with the other, thereby potentially preventing the spread.
STIs that condoms can help shield against include:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Trichomoniasis
- HIV
- Hepatitis
Condoms are not effective against ALL STIs. Those that spread through skin-to-skin contact are contractable whether you use a condom or not. These include:
- Herpes
- Genital warts (HPV)
- Syphilis
Not All Barrier Methods Provide Effective Protection
While barrier protection is vital to help protect against pregnancy, not all options are effective at stopping the spread of STIs. A male latex condom is the best option when it comes to STI protection, followed by a female condom.
Less effective (or completely ineffective) options that you should avoid using for STI prevention include:
Condoms Made of Anything but Latex or Latex-Free Rubber
Condoms not made from latex or latex-free rubber, such as those made from natural membranes (like lambskin), are far less effective at preventing STIs. While these options can prevent pregnancy, they don’t block microscopic pathogens that cause STIs, such as viruses and bacteria. Latex and latex-free rubber condoms are designed to provide a reliable barrier against STI transmission, making them the safer choice for protection during sexual activity.
Cervical Caps
Cervical caps are primarily used as a contraceptive device, but they offer no protection against STIs. These small, reusable barriers are designed to block sperm from entering the uterus but don’t shield against infections transmitted through skin-to-skin contact or bodily fluids. Relying on a cervical cap for STI prevention is ineffective and can leave you vulnerable to diseases like herpes, gonorrhea, or HIV.
Diaphragms
Diaphragms, like cervical caps, are used for pregnancy prevention but don’t protect against STIs. Positioned over the cervix, they block sperm but fail to provide a barrier for pathogens in vaginal or penile secretions. Additionally, diaphragms can sometimes increase the risk of infections if used without proper care or combined with spermicide, which can irritate tissues and create entry points for bacteria or viruses.
Spermicide
Spermicide, while effective at killing sperm to prevent pregnancy, does not offer protection against STIs. In fact, frequent use of spermicide, especially products containing nonoxynol-9, can irritate the vaginal or rectal lining, making it easier for infections to take hold. Relying solely on spermicide increases the risk of contracting STIs like HIV, as it doesn’t create a physical barrier against pathogens.
Contraceptive Sponges
Contraceptive sponges are designed to prevent pregnancy by blocking sperm and releasing spermicide but offer no protection against STIs. They do not create a barrier that stops pathogens from transmitting between partners. Additionally, the spermicide used in sponges can cause irritation, increasing the likelihood of infection. If you’re looking for STI prevention, pairing a sponge with a condom is essential for proper protection.
Oral Contraceptives
Oral contraceptives, commonly known as “the pill,” are highly effective at preventing pregnancy but do nothing to protect against STIs. These hormone-based medications work by regulating ovulation and do not create any physical barrier to stop infections. Relying on oral contraceptives alone for sexual health protection can leave you at risk for STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, or HIV, highlighting the importance of using condoms for added protection.
Nexplanon
Nexplanon, a hormonal implant inserted under the skin to prevent pregnancy, is completely ineffective at preventing STIs. While it provides a long-term contraceptive solution, it does not block or reduce the transmission of infections during sexual activity. For STI prevention, it’s crucial to use barrier methods like condoms alongside Nexplanon, ensuring comprehensive sexual health protection.
IUDs
Intrauterine devices (IUDs), both hormonal and non-hormonal (copper), are excellent contraceptive methods but provide no defense against STIs. These devices work by preventing sperm from fertilising an egg but do nothing to block pathogens. Relying solely on an IUD for protection leaves you vulnerable to infections like herpes, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Combining an IUD with condom use is the best approach for comprehensive sexual health protection.
Some of these options may help prevent pregnancy, but they allow STIs to travel from one partner to the other.
Using barrier protection, namely a latex condom, each time you engage in sex can help prevent you from contracting or spreading STIs.
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