Do Sex Toys Improve Sexual Satisfaction?

Let’s be honest, almost everyone has found themselves scrambling for a last-minute holiday gift at some point. If you’re still searching for a memorable gift for your partner this year, why not think a little differently and choose something that promotes connection, closeness, and intimacy? Consider giving a gift that’s meant to be shared: a sex toy.

In this week’s blog, we’re diving into a new multi-country study published in The Journal of Sex Research that explores adults’ real-world experiences with sex toys, including who uses them, how they’re used, and what people get out of them. Whether you’re shopping for a partner or simply treating yourself, this research offers some intriguing insights, and maybe even a bit of inspiration.

Overview of The Study

In this newly published article, researchers asked 11,944 adults across six European countries (i.e., Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, France, and the UK) about their experiences with sex toys via an online survey. Their overarching goals were to determine 1) how many people owned and used sex toys and 2) how sex toy ownership and use are connected to people’s sexual, relationship, and life satisfaction.

Sex Toy Ownership and Use

More than half of the participants surveyed reported owning or having owned a sex toy of some kind. The most common toys included dildos and vibrators, followed by handcuffs, penis rings, and anal toys. Across all of the countries, a majority of toy owners (>55%) said they had used toys both by themselves and with a steady partner, while considerably less reported using them with casual partners (10-15%). They found some minor differences between genders, with women and younger people being more likely to report owning a sex toy; however, men reported owning a greater number of sex toys than women on average.

Pleasure and Satisfaction

Interestingly, people who owned and used sex toys were more likely to report higher levels of sexual satisfaction and higher life satisfaction. Those who used toys with their partners more frequently also tended to report greater relationship satisfaction. While this might seem to suggest that using sex toys improves relationships (e.g., through introducing novelty and enhancing pleasure), it could also be that people in healthier relationships to begin with are simply more likely to explore toys together, since using toys typically requires communication and planning between partners.

As we have covered in a previous podcast episode, sex toys can have a wide range of benefits for users including:

1. Helping identify pleasure sources
2. Increasing and improving sexual communication
3. Providing stress relief
4. Helping to build sexual confidence
5. Closing the orgasm gap

Takeaways

Many people own sex toys and enjoy using them in both solo and partnered situations. Sex toys are revolutionizing our sex lives in many ways, and the holiday season is a prime opportunity to prioritize pleasure, intimacy, and shared experiences.

If you’re curious about exploring toys in your own intimate life and want to dive deeper, be sure to check out this podcast episode, where we explore the different types of toys on the market, tips on where to start if you’re new to the world of toys, and even more benefits of incorporating toys into your life!

If you have a sex question of your own, record a voicemail at speakpipe.com/sexandpsychology to have it answered on the blog or the podcast. 

Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for more from the blog or here to listen to the podcast. Follow Sex and Psychology on Facebook, Twitter (@JustinLehmiller), Bluesky, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram.

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References:

Hald, G. M., Pavan, S., & Øverup, C. S. (2025). Do sex toys make me satisfied? The use of sex toys in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, France, and the UK. The Journal of Sex Research, 62(5), 735–749. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2024.2304575