So, you had high expectations for your new vibrator. But when you took it for a spin, it made you feel felt numb. Irritated. Tingly, like the circulation to your nether regions had been cut off.

Was it you? The vibrator? Whatever the cause, how can you keep it from happening again? 

Nobody buys a sex toy hoping to feel less sensation rather than more. That's why it's important to choose the right vibrator and use it in a way that works for your body. Let's talk about why numbness can happen, which toys are more likely to cause it, and how to choose vibrators that will help you avoid it. 

What Does Numbness Feel Like?

Numbness can feel like a deadened sensation, pins and needles, or even an odd sort of irritation. You might also feel uncomfortably oversensitive, but not in a way that feels stimulating or arousing. 

Numbness can also feel like reduced sensation. If you find your vibrating toy boring or wonder why it doesn't feel particularly good, numbing of the surface nerves could be partly to blame. 

How Quickly Does Numbness Happen? 

Numbness can set in shortly after you turn on your vibrator, but is more likely to happen when you've been using it for several minutes or longer. It can also vary from one session to another, depending on how aroused you are, how long it's been since your last solo or partnered session, and which toy you use.

Though numbness is temporary, it can last from minutes to hours. Which is long enough to put a serious damper on your fun. 

Why Do Some Vibrators Cause Numbness?

The most common cause of numbness or deadened sensation is a buzzy vibrator. What's a buzzy vibrator? A toy that emits high-frequency vibrations. These types of vibrators have motors that oscillate more frequently and vibrations that feel relatively shallow.

High-frequency vibrations feel superficial because they don't penetrate the body well. They stay on the surface of the skin rather than spreading out. This can leave deeper nerves unstimulated, make orgasms elusive.

To illustrate how a buzzy vibrator feels, imagine the sensations you feel when you use an electric toothbrush. Now imagine it on your genitals. Stimulating? Yes. Deeply pleasurable? Well, some people like it, others like it for a few minutes, and others don't like it at all. 

Besides the vibrations, what are some other characteristics of buzzy vibrators?

• They're louder. In general, more oscillations mean higher decibels, making buzzy vibrators noisier and less discreet
• They're intense. Buzzy vibrators can feel intensely stimulating — until they make you numb, that is. Because the stimulation remains on the surface, the vibes stay in one place and stimulate the same nerves again and again 
• They're less expensive. While some buzzy vibrators are well-made, cost more, and cater to folks who like a blast of surface-level power, many have a price that reflects their smaller, faster motors. When shopping for a new toy, remember that low-priced vibrators tend to be on the buzzy side 
• They can feel weak. Yes, buzzy vibrators can feel superficially intense, but they can also feel underpowered. Lower cost buzzy vibrators, such as those you'll find in chain drug and discount stores, may offer minimal stimulation 

Why Rumbly Vibrators Feel Better

Some people like buzzy vibrators, and that's fine! But for those who find the buzz numbing or uncomfortable, choosing a rumbly vibrator can be the ticket to a whole new world of pleasure. 

Rumbly toys have larger motors that oscillate less often. These motors emit low-frequency vibrations that penetrate the skin and nerves more deeply. This feels more stimulating to many of us because the vibrations resonate through the clitoral network and other nerves of the reproductive tract. 

Find out more about the clitoral network: What is the Clitoris?

To illustrate how a rumbly vibrator feels, think about how a bus engine feels reverberating through the seat. Now imagine this sensation focused on the most sensitive parts of your body. If that sounds great, believe me, it is. 

Besides the vibrations, what are some other characteristics of rumbly vibrators? 

• They're less noisy. Lower-frequency vibrations are harder for the ear to pick up, making rumbly vibrators quieter and more discreet
• They're stronger. While rumbly vibrations aren't a guarantee of power, these toys do tend to be stronger than their buzzier counterparts due to the size of their motors
• They may cost a bit more. Larger, stronger, low-frequency motors can cost a little more than buzzy vibrators

Learn more: Rumbly Vs. Buzzy Vibrators