How Men Can Use a Vibrator During Sex

Kelly Brown MD, MBA
Written byErica Garza
Published 12/03/2025

Vibrators aren’t just for women — they can enhance pleasure and improve sexual function for men, too.

Overview

Key Takeaways:

  • Vibrators aren’t just for women — they can enhance pleasure and improve sexual function for men, too.

  • Different types of vibrators, including penis rings and prostate massagers, can boost arousal and satisfaction for all partners involved.

  • Using vibrators during sex can heighten stimulation, spice up foreplay, and help men with sexual function.

  • Talking openly with your partner, keeping toys clean, and adding lube are key tips to making vibrator play safe, fun, and satisfying.


Can men use vibrators during sex? Absolutely. If you’re among the population of men who haven’t experienced the sexual pleasure of some extra vibration, you — and your partner — could be missing out on some of the best sex of your life.

The clitoral vibrator is well known for its ability to stimulate a woman’s erogenous zones. But we’re here to tell you that vibrating sex toys are capable of doing more than solely enhancing female pleasure.

Though adding a vibrator to your intimate times might improve erectile function and boost sexual performance, studies show that less than half of men incorporate vibrators into their sex lives. That sounds like a huge missed opportunity.

Ahead, we’ll share the best types of vibrators for men, how to use them, and why it’s a good idea to add some extra vibes to the bedroom.

Finding the Right Vibrator

The Best Vibrators for Men

From remote-control and hands-free toys to classics like the bullet and wand vibrator, there are lots of options from which to choose. All of them can help you have better sex, and, by proxy, a healthier sex life.

By the way, penis-shaped vibrators aren’t the only option for getting a sexy buzz down there. Here are some other vibrator options to consider:

  • Vibrating penis rings. Our OMG Ring vibrator is a remote-controlled, wearable vibrator that goes around the penis shaft to deliver vibrations you and your partner can both feel.

  • Prostate massagers. The Thrill Ride is a vibrating massager that can stimulate the female G-spot or male prostate.

  • Bullet vibrator. Sexy and discreet, the rechargeable handheld bullet vibrator is a simple yet powerful way to help get you and your partner in the mood. It’s a great couples vibrator that could be used for vaginal or anal play, but be sure to wash it before swapping who is receiving pleasure.

How Men Can Use Vibrators During Sex

Vibrators are pretty simple to use, but here are some tips for maximizing your vibrator time:

  • Communicate with your partner. Don’t just toss a vibrator onto the sheets and expect good things to happen. Ask your partner about what feels good and vice versa. Be vocal about what you like and don’t like, and give them space to do the same.

  • Wash your sex toys. Sharing is caring — but it’s also a potential hygiene issue. Have a sex toy–safe cleaner on hand for washing toys after sex to prevent the spread of bacteria and potential sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You should also wash sex toys before inserting them into different areas (e.g., don’t rub a vibrator around your partner’s anus and then insert it into their vagina).

  • Use lube. Depending on how you decide to use the vibrator, adding lubricant may help prevent uncomfortable friction between the skin and the toy.

  • Be careful when using a vibrator around the rectum. Not all vibrators are designed for anal penetration. If you want to incorporate anal penetration, try a vibrator with a flared bottom so it’s easy to remove.

  • Charge the toy beforehand. Being in the throes of passion when the vibrator sputters and stops working can be anticlimactic and super frustrating.

Benefits

Benefits of Using a Vibrator During Sex

Still unsure about why you should consider adding this new sex toy to your bedroom routine? Here’s a breakdown of some top reasons to use vibrators during partnered sex:

  • Better stimulation in partner play. A vibrator can make things much more satisfying for women and men alike. For example, many women need constant clitoral stimulation to orgasm (as opposed to vaginal penetration alone). This partner-play win isn’t just for women, either: A study of gay and bisexual men found that those who used vibrators during solo and partnered sex reported that it enhanced the quality of their sexual experiences.

  • It’s great for foreplay. Both men and women can benefit from foreplay, which an increase chances of achieving an orgasm from sex. In fact, stimulating the clitoris is far from the only way to please a woman with a vibrator: You can use the toy around the perineum, vaginal opening, vulva, labia, or inner thighs. You can also use a vibrator on your own erogenous zones.

  • It’s a pleasurable way to keep things interesting. Sex toys like vibrators can spice up your sex life by adding a little excitement to your go-to positions. A silicone toy properly coated with a water-based lube, for example, can turn cowgirl, cowboy, doggy style, and spooning sex positions into something entirely new.

  • It shows your partner you’re thinking about their pleasure, too. Sex toys don’t have to be all about one person’s pleasure. Adding a vibrator to your sexual encounters is a great way to show your partner (or partners) you’re thinking about everyone’s enjoyment, not just yours.

Benefits of Using Vibrators for Men’s Health

Using a vibrator isn’t just good for your sexual partnerships. In medical settings, vibratory stimulation has shown to benefitial for sexual function in men.

Potential benefits include:

  • Helping with erectile dysfunction (ED) symptoms. Vibratory stimulation is a treatment for ED, so using a vibrator might help ease symptoms of the condition. Experts believe penile vibratory stimulation works by stimulating penile fibers to release nitric oxide, which relaxes the blood vessels that supply blood to the penis. This increases blood flow and penis sensitivity, making it easier to get and stay hard.

  • Potentially helping with delayed ejaculation. Using a vibrator may also help with ejaculation issues, including an inability to ejaculate at all. According to one small study involving 36 men, 72 percent reported restored orgasm after vibratory stimulation therapy.

  • Potential improvement with prostate issues. Some evidence supports that prostate massage may help with problems like prostatitis.

  • Boosting sexual health. Vibrator use can also benefit your sexual wellness. One study linked male vibrator use to sexual health–promoting behaviors, like testicular self-exams.

Tips for Introducing a Vibrator During Sex

The best way to propose incorporating a vibrator for the first time depends on your relationship. Every relationship is different, but here are a few suggestions for how to bring up vibrator use.

  • Include it as a suggestion during conversations about trying new things in bed. Research shows that talking openly about sex is one of the best ways to keep things healthy and satisfying. Doing so helps partners stay connected, honest, and in sync about what they want and enjoy.

  • Frame it around shared pleasure. Make sure your partner doesn’t think you’re trying to fix something, but rather enhance what you already have. Try saying something like: “I’ve read that vibrators can make things even more intense for both partners — want to see what that’s like together?”

  • Go shopping for sex toys together. Whether you head to your local sex shop or browse options online, shopping for sex toys can be a fun bonding experience that may even function as foreplay.

  • Be open to feedback. Once you’ve tried it, check in. Ask your partner if they enjoyed the experience or if they’d want to try it a different way next time. They might even have their own sex toy bucket list stashed away.

The Bottom Line: Using a Vibrator During Sex

Using a vibrator during sex is a great way to add new sensations to the bedroom. As is the case with any other sex toy, it’s essential to keep your vibrator clean. And make sure to get enthusiastic consent from your partner before getting vibey.

Don’t forget that you can also use a vibrator solo to enhance your masturbation experience. Doing so also offers potential sexual health benefits, including helping with ED symptoms and delayed ejaculation.

If you want more ideas on how to make things more interesting in bed, check out this beginner’s guide to sexual kinks, learn how to make foreplay better, and explore this guide to solo sex.

FAQs

Can men use vibrators on themselves?

Absolutely. Vibrators aren’t just for partners — they can heighten your own pleasure, too. Try using one along the shaft, around the frenulum, or near the perineum — a hotbed of nerve endings. Prostate stimulators are another option for deeper internal stimulation.

Can vibrators help with erectile dysfunction?

Whiel there’s not enough evidence to conclude whether non-medical vibrators can help ED, penile vibratory stimulation has been used in clinical settings to help improve blood flow, sensitivity, and erectile function. Using a vibrator is also a safe, noninvasive way to explore what feels good.

Are vibrators only for heterosexual couples?

Definitely not. Vibrators can enhance pleasure for people of all genders and sexual orientations. Whether your partner has a clitoris or a penis, vibrations can add new sensations for everyone involved.

How do I clean my vibrator?

Use a toy-safe cleaner or mild soap and warm water. Always clean it before and after use, and never switch from anal to vaginal play without washing it or changing condoms.

10 Sources

  1. Cartledge J, et. al. (2001). The role of nitric oxide in penile erection. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11336572/
  2. Galizia RO, et al. (2023). Sexual Satisfaction Mediates the Effects of the Quality of Dyadic Sexual Communication on the Degree of Perceived Sexual Desire Discrepancy. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10001296/
  3. Herbenick, D, et. al. (2018) Women's experiences with genital touching, sexual pleasure, and orgasm: Results from a U.S. probability sample of women ages 18 to 94. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0092623X.2017.1346530
  4. Lin WE, et al. (2023). Efficacy Analysis of Physical Therapy in Treating Chronic Prostatitis: Unblocking Obstructed Glandular Ducts Could Be a Novel Treatment Strategy. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10742744/
  5. Nelson, C. J., et. al. (2007). Assessment of penile vibratory stimulation as a management strategy in men with secondary retarded orgasm. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4765806/
  6. Reece, MI, et al. (2009). Prevalence and characteristics of vibrator use by men in the United States. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19453874/
  7. Reece MI, et al. (2010). Characteristics of vibrator use by gay and bisexually identified men in the United States. https://pure.psu.edu/en/publications/characteristics-of-vibrator-use-by-gay-and-bisexually-identified-/
  8. Rullo, J. E., et. al. (2018). Genital vibration for sexual function and enhancement: A review of evidence. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7678782/
  9. Rullo, J. E., et. al. (2018). Genital vibration for sexual function and enhancement: Best practice recommendations for choosing and safely using a vibrator. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7678780/
  10. Sexual Medicine Society of North America. (n.d.). Why Is Foreplay Important? https://www.smsna.org/patients/did-you-know/why-is-foreplay-important
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Hims & Hers has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references. See a mistake? Let us know at blog@forhims.com!

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