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Dear Sex Counselor,
I am interested in getting a sex toy specifically designed for a man, but I don’t know where to begin. What are my choices?
 There are a few different types of sex toys made specifically for men. At A Woman's Touch, you'll find men's toys that fit into several broad categories: masturbation sleeves, erection rings, prostate stimulators, and anal toys. Here's a run-down of the options.
Masturbation sleeves
Masturbation sleeves are tubes of material the penis fits in during masturbation. They're all made of soft, squishy material that warms to body temperature easily, and, with the addition of some quality water-based lubricant like Liquid Silk or Maximus, can quite accurately imitate the suction, friction, texture and warmth of intercourse or oral sex.
- The Blue Lagoon is a simple sleeve that's used in conjunction with water-based lubricant to create a stimulating combination of stroking (with the textured bits on the inside of the sleeve) and suction for stimulation. This is our most affordable and most popular men's toy, and it's made of an easy-to-clean, non-latex, sturdy elastomer material.
- The Maven sleeve is similar to the Blue Lagoon, but a big longer and wider. It's made of a soft elastomer, and is easy to clean and latex-free.
- Note: The following sleeves are made from Cyberskin, a combination of latex and silicone.
- The Ever Ready (aka the Fleshlight) is a Cyberskin sleeve that can be used inside its plastic case for a more snug fit, or hand-held outside its case for a more flexible fit. The combination of squishy warmth and suction has led many men to tell us that the Ever Ready feels a lot like intercourse.
- The Cybersleeve + Vibrator is a flexible, soft Cyberskin sleeve with a vibrator at the tip. It is a good choice for men who enjoy stroking and vibration at the same time, and men who prefer a smooth, non-ribbed surface. It can be used without the vibrator as well, and is a comfortably snug fit for most men.
- The Cyberpump consists of a nubbly Cyberskin sleeve with a vibrator at the base, inside a plastic cylinder with a suction pump at the end. It provides suction, vibration and lots of stimulation along the whole shaft, and can be used inside or outside the pump. It has been described as feeling the most like oral sex of any of the toys that we carry.
For increased sensation and more slipperiness, we recommend using a water-based lubricant like Liquid Silk (a thinner choice) or Maximus (a thicker choice) with all our masturbation sleeves. We don't recommend silicone- or oil-based lubricants with any of our masturbation sleeves -- they will cause the material to melt.
Erection Rings, a.k.a. Cock Rings
Erection rings are rings of material that fasten around the base of the penis or around the penis and scrotum. Generally used along with other toys or during partner sex, erection rings hold blood in the penis during an erection, making the penis more swollen and sensitive and a bit firmer. Some erection rings feature vibrators that help bring more blood into the penis and add to the wearer's stimulation (and often add stimulation to the wearer's partner, when used during partner sex). When worn around the base of a condom, erection rings also have the added benefit of holding the condom in place, preventing it from slipping off of the penis. There's a wide variety of styles and materials to choose from.
- Rubber o-rings are available individually or in sets of three or four. These are the most basic erection rings we have, and the set of different sizes allows you to find the size that works best for you. You can choose from a wide variety of colors, from basic black to glow-in-the-dark.
- Stretchy silicone erection rings or Elastomer erection rings are inexpensive, basic options for those who want to see what erection rings feel like. They adjust automatically to fit the penis, and they're made of a nice squishy material.
- Adjustable leather or synthetic erection rings are more expensive than the stretchy silicone rings, but they last much longer. They can also be worn in more ways: They can fit around the base of the penis or around the penis and testicles. and are available in a variety of styles, from very basic to more elaborate, in both leather and synthetic materials.
- Vibrating erection rings have a vibrator attached to provide more stimulation for both the wearer and the wearer's partner. Binky and Binkette are milder options, while No Strings Attached and the Dolphin Pleasure Ring are more intense options.
- If you want try an inexpensive vibrating ring before investing in a more expensive version, try the Basic Vibrating Ring – its vibrator will only work for about 20 minutes before quitting, but it costs only $5. Vibrating rings can be worn with the vibrator on top of the penis, to stimulate a female partner during intercourse, or they can be worn with the vibrator on the underside of the penis, against the testicles, for more stimulation during masturbation or partner sex.
Prostate stimulators
The prostate is a rarely explored but highly pleasurable erogenous zone for many men. Responsible for the production of the milky-fluid part of semen, the prostate gland can be stimulated externally by pressing firmly on the perineum (the area between the scrotum and anus) or internally, through the anus. Aneros produces a line of toys specifically designed for prostate stimulation. They can be used during partner sex or masturbation, and provide intense stimulation of the prostate, often resulting in intense orgasms once you learn how to use them.
Prostate massagers also help maintain prostate health — they help move fluid out of the prostate to prevent painful inflammation. The toys in the Aneros line are made from medical-grade plastic; if you'd prefer a silicone option, any short, curved dildo (particularly Cora, Rascal, or Prospector) works well for prostate stimulation. As with any toy meant for anal use, it has a flared base to prevent it from getting lost inside the colon. Any toy used anally should be sterilized before it is shared with a partner or used vaginally.
Anal toys
Everyone -- regardless of gender and sexual orientation -- has sensitive nerve endings in the anus and rectum that can enjoy stimulation. Anal toys can be used solo or with a partner.
- Anal plugs are made of silicone, and are designed to be inserted into the anus and left there, for a "filling" feeling during other types of play like masturbation or intercourse. Petunia and Tori are all examples of anal plugs.
- Anal beads are beads connected with a string (like our Disposable Anal Beads), or "bubbly" silicone toys (like Ripple, Felicity or Silicone Anal Beads), and are designed to be inserted at the beginning of sex or masturbation, then pulled out of the anus just before or during orgasm, which adds to pleasurable orgasmic muscle contractions and heightens orgasmic sensation.
- Dildos of many shapes and sizes can be used anally for penetration and thrusting, as long as they have a flared base to prevent them from getting lost inside you. If you'd like something that will be moved in and out repeatedly, try a smooth-surfaced dildo like Isadora 1, 2 or 3 or Mistress.
Other Options
The more erogenous zones you stimulate, the more intense the resulting orgasm will be. If you're looking for ways to explore more interesting sensations and/or orgasms, you might try combining some of the toys we just described. For example, try wearing an anal plug during intercourse; wearing a cock ring while using a masturbation sleeve; stimulating your prostate with a toy while stimulating your penis with your lubricated hand, etc.
You could also explore other toys not described here. Many men have enjoyed nipple play with clamps or suction; many men also enjoy using vibrators on their penis and testicles, for example. At A Woman's Touch, we include things like lubricant and sexy books and movies in our definition of "sex toys", so consider adding some of those to your solo and/or partner sex life. The options are endless!
Remember, this is about your pleasure. Don't worry what anyone else will think if you buy a particular toy, or prefer to experience pleasure in a particular way. It's your toy and your pleasure, and it's no one's business but your own.
The Sex Counselor
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