What Is a Drildo?

A dildo is a penetrative sex toy that can be used for masturbation and with a partner. It’s shaped like an artificial penis, and it comes in a variety of materials.

Most dildos are made of silicone, because it’s nonporous and hypoallergenic. It’s also body safe and easy to sterilize.

History

There’s a long history of pleasure objects around the world. The oldest dildo is a siltstone one that’s about 30,000 years old and was found in a cave in Germany. The ancients also had phallic batons made of bone, ivory, and teeth and used them to start fires, although archaeologists have trouble connecting this type of use to sexual gratification.

In ancient Greece, people liked to use stuffed phalluses called olisboi. These were covered in leather and lubricated with olive oil, which isn’t too surprising considering that olive oil was a mainstay of the Mediterranean diet back then! In Renaissance Italy, the wealthy loved their dildos that were often shaped like animals.

Rubber dildos became popular in the early 1900s after they were invented. They’re still around today, allowing people to skirt obscenity laws in places like Japan and in some American states. These dildos are typically shaped like penises, but they can also look like other things, such as animals or flowers, to appeal to various interests.

In the ’60s, thanks to the feminist movement, vibrators and dildos took on a new meaning for women. These sex toys were politicized as tools for women’s sexual liberation from men, and this is the era when we saw the rise of Rabbit dildos and artistic dildos that don’t look like penises.

Materials

The best dildos are made of body-safe materials that are easy to clean. Some of the most popular dildo materials include glass, metal, silicone, stone, and wood. Each material has its own benefits and factors that make it pleasurable, so be sure to experiment and find what works for you!

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is nonporous and impervious to bacteria, making it an excellent choice for people with sensitivities. It also doesn’t conduct electricity, so you can use it with a variety of lubes without worrying about bacterial contamination.

Silicone

Silicone is a durable and flexible material that’s used in many sex toys. It’s available in a range of textures, including silky smooth CyberSkin and pliable PassionSkin. Some brands even dildo use a blend of different silicones to create unique textures and sensations.

Wood

Wood is a durable and natural material that can give you a satisfying sensation. It’s typically crafted into a sleek, elegant design. It’s also available in a wide range of colors and finishes to enhance aesthetics and appeal.

Plastic, PVC, rubber, and latex are other common materials used in dildos. Be sure to check that your toy is phthalate-free before purchasing it, as phthalates can be harmful to the skin. Additionally, if masturbators female the package doesn’t list the ingredients, ask the brand for more information.

Firmness

It’s a matter of personal preference, but firmness can have some impact on how well a toy functions. For example, softer toys can bend and flop easier when inserted or used for strap-on play. Firmer toys may also require more lubrication, especially during penetration.

Choosing the right firmness starts with knowing how to read a toy’s description. Platinum silicone (the material Hankey’s Toys products are made from) has many different “shore” hardnesses, and each one has its own feel. Shore is a measurement of the squishiness of a silicone, and the higher the number, the harder the toy. Some makers use a scale like 00-30, while others only list the hardness in a range like 1A to 8A.

Dual-Density Silicone

Some dildos have a feeling of both softness and hardness for extra stimulation, giving you the sensation of penetration from both ends. This type of dildo is often called a “real-feel” dildo, and it’s popular for G-spot / prostate play. The Vixen Creations Mustang has a cult-like following for its squishy G-spot / prostate massage goodness, and the curved shaft feels very lifelike when inserted.

While dildos have been widely adopted by gay men as sexual tools, lesbian culture has long had an anxiety about the dildo’s resemblance to penises and its association with anal penetration. This has led to a variety of feminist debates and backlash movements, including the dildo craze in the 1980s that encouraged women to buy and wear dildos as a symbol of their own sexual autonomy and empowerment.

Getting Started

Whether you’re trying out a new toy for yourself or introducing it to a partner, taking the time to learn and practice new techniques is always worth it. A dildo is no exception. With a wide array of textures and lengths to choose from, the process of getting acquainted with a dildo can be fun and exciting.

The first step is to consider the type of dildo that fits your personal preferences and comfort level. For example, if you’re new to penetration, it might be best to start out with something slim and short. On the other hand, if you’re an experienced dildo user, a longer dildo might feel more intense upon insertion.

A dildo’s girth, or diameter, also plays a role in pleasure. Thicker dildos can be more filling, and their shape can encourage clitoral stimulation, and even provide a sense of anal penetration.

Regardless of which toy you choose, you’ll want to make sure it’s 100-percent clean before and after use. Because a dildo goes inside a crevice that doesn’t self-lubricate, it’s particularly susceptible to infection. At Woo More Play, we recommend a silicone dildo for beginners because it’s easy to wipe down. We also recommend lubricating generously to reduce friction and enhance the sensation of penetration. This is especially important during anal play, and can help ensure that you or your partner are reaching the anal sensitivity sweet spot.