There are few studies on the use of vibrators by men. A nationally representative survey in the United States found that four in ten heterosexual men had used a vibrator at some point, almost always in the context of sex with a female partner.
The main limitation
These are surveys and a narrative review, not trials. The samples are from a single country, and both surveys ask about lifetime use, without saying what it was used for or with what result.
In practice
The data show that a sizeable share of men have used vibrators, but they do not say whether they help with any health problem.
What kind of studies there are
Descriptive or expert opinion 3
We classify each study by its design. A synthesis of many studies or a randomised trial supports firmer conclusions than a survey or an expert opinion. The design does not tell you whether a result is good or bad.
What the studies say overall
There are few studies on the use of vibrators by men. A nationally representative survey in the United States found that four in ten heterosexual men had used a vibrator at some point, almost always in the context of sex with a female partner.
In a survey of American gay and bisexual men, nearly half had used vibrators and most had used at least one type of sex toy.
On men with sexual dysfunction, a literature review notes that the scientific evidence on the use of sexual aids, such as vibrators or lubricants, is limited.
Where they disagree
There are no disagreements between these studies, but there are not many of them either: the two surveys describe the habits of different groups and the review says that evidence on their clinical usefulness is lacking.
Limits of the evidence
These are surveys and a narrative review, not trials. The samples are from a single country, and both surveys ask about lifetime use, without saying what it was used for or with what result.
The studies, one by one
We have gathered 3 verified studies. Each summary is our own; the quotation in inverted commas is taken word for word from the original abstract, in English.
What they found: A nationally representative survey in the US found that 43.8% of heterosexual men had used a vibrator at some point, almost always in the context of sex with a female partner. (Reece et al., 2010)
Population Adult heterosexual men in the US (nationally representative sample)JournalJ Sex Marital Ther
Verbatim quotation from the original abstract (in English)
“43.8% reporting use of a vibrator at some point in their lives” Reece et al., 2010
What they found: 49.6% of the gay and bisexual men surveyed had used vibrators. (Rosenberger et al., 2012)
Population Gay and bisexual men in the United StatesJournalArch Sex Behav
Verbatim quotation from the original abstract (in English)
“A majority (78.5%) of gay and bisexually identified men reported having used at least one type of sex toy, including dildos (62.1%), non-vibrating cock rings (51.9%), vibrators (49.6%), butt plugs (34.0%), masturbation sleeves (27.9%), and anal beads or balls (19.3%).” Rosenberger et al., 2012
What they found: A literature review notes that the scientific evidence on the use of sexual aids (such as vibrators or lubricants) in men with sexual dysfunction is limited. (Miranda et al., 2019)
Population Men with sexual dysfunction (narrative review)JournalJ Sex Med
Verbatim quotation from the original abstract (in English)
“the scientific literature assessing their application in men with sexual dysfunction is limited” Miranda et al., 2019
