Course:CSIS200/2024/Vibrators: Destigmatizing Clitoral Stimulation and Closing the Orgasm Gap

Vibrators: Destigmatizing Clitoral Stimulation and Closing the Orgasm Gap

Introduction

Within discussions regarding female pleasure and orgasm, few artifacts hold as much cultural, historical, and political significance as the vibrator. From its controversial origins as a medical device in the 19th century to its current role as a symbol of empowerment and sexual agency, the vibrator has navigated complex societal landscapes. This artifact not only encapsulates shifting attitudes toward female pleasure but also challenges deeply rooted stigmas around sexuality, gender norms, and the orgasm gap. Historically, vibrators were marketed under the guise of medical necessity, catering to patriarchal narratives that dismissed female sexual pleasure. Today, however, they are celebrated as tools for empowerment and education, particularly with the rise of modern platforms such as OMGYes and Afterglow, which emphasize pleasure-centred approaches to sexuality.

This essay critically examines the vibrator as a contemporary artifact that bridges historical stigma and modern empowerment. By analyzing its historical context, the ongoing orgasm gap, and contemporary representations in media and technology, this project demonstrates how the vibrator functions as a powerful tool in destigmatizing female pleasure. Through the lens of sexuality studies, the vibrator emerges not only as a practical object but also as a cultural symbol of resistance, agency, and liberation. Ultimately, this work explores how this seemingly simple device encapsulates profound shifts in cultural attitudes and contributes to broader conversations about gender, pleasure, and power.

What is a vibrator?

A modern array of clitoral, internal, and dual-stimulation vibrators.

A vibrator is a mechanical device designed to produce vibrations for sexual stimulation and pleasure. Available in various forms—such as handheld devices, wearable designs, and internal or external models—vibrators cater to a wide range of anatomical needs and preferences. Common types include clitoral vibrators, which focus on stimulating the clitoris, and vaginal vibrators, designed for internal use. Many models combine both features to provide dual stimulation. While vibrators are primarily associated with enhancing sexual pleasure, they also have therapeutic applications, such as addressing sexual dysfunction or anorgasmia. Today, vibrators are recognized not only for their functional benefits but also as cultural artifacts that play a critical role in advancing conversations about female pleasure and empowerment.

This is a YouTube Video from the Science Museum giving a brief history of vibrators.

Historical and cultural significance

A depiction of Granville's vibrator, 1883.

The vibrator’s cultural significance extends far beyond its use as a sexual aid; its evolution from a medical instrument to a symbol of sexual liberation reflects significant societal shifts in attitudes toward female sexuality. Vibrators were initially marketed in the late 19^th and 20^th centuries as medical devices intended for treating “hysteria”, a diagnosis often ascribed to patients assigned female at birth that displayed symptoms such as anxiety, nervousness, or sexual frustration. Using vibrators, physicians would manually induce “hysterical paroxysm” ––now recognized as an orgasm––under the guise of medical treatment. This practice medicalized female sexual pleasure, framing it as a remedy for a supposed disorder rather than acknowledging it as a natural aspect of sexuality. The vibrator’s journey encapsulates a broader trajectory of both societal suppression and eventual attempts at the reclamation of female sexual agency.

A 1910 advertisement for a vibrator.

1920 advertisement for the Star Vibrator.

Advertisements for vibrators in women’s magazines, such as the Ladies’ Home Journal, promoted vibrators as health and beauty aids, employing various euphemisms to obscure their sexual applications. These ads touted vibrators as tools to enhance physical well-being, thereby bypassing public discomfort with openly addressing female pleasure. For example, a 1910 ad in Ladies’ Home Journal featured vibrators marketed for their “healing” and “rejuvenating” benefits, completely avoiding any reference to sexual use. Another notable primary source illustrating the early marketing of vibrators is a 1920 advertisement for the Star Electric Massage Vibrator, published in the June issue of The Delineator. This advertisement features two women at a table, with accompanying text that emphasizes the device's health and beauty benefits, such as "bringing back the roses of girlhood" and maintaining your hair and scalp in fine, healthy condition. The ad also suggests the vibrator aids in "fatigue, nervous headaches, insomnia." Notably, this advertisement also avoids any direct reference to sexual stimulation, reflecting the era's marketing strategies that promoted vibrators as health and beauty aids to align with societal norms that suppressed open discussions of female sexual pleasure.This marketing strategy allowed vibrators to be publicly sold while maintaining social decorum that suppressed open discussions of female sexuality.

However, as vibrators began to appear in early erotic films, their association with explicit sexual content led to their removal from mainstream publications. This marked a cultural turning point in the perception of vibrators, transforming them from medical tools into objects of shame. By the mid 20^th century, societal repression of female sexuality and the fear of deviating from heteronormative ideals further entrenched stigma surrounding vibrators.

The Sexual Revolution

The sexual revolution of the 1960s and 1970s marked a pivotal shift in the cultural narrative surrounding vibrators. In her book The Technology of Orgasm, Rachel Maines highlights how feminist movements during this era challenged traditional norms surrounding sexuality, advocating for women’s right to sexual autonomy and pleasure. Maines underscores the fact that vibrators emerged as key symbols of liberation, empowering women to reclaim control over their sexual experiences. This newfound understanding of vibrators began to bridge the gap between private sexual exploration and public discussions of female pleasure. Vibrators were no longer confined to the medical or clandestine domain; they became symbols of feminist defiance against patriarchal structures that sought to suppress female pleasure.  

The visibility of vibrators within feminist activism also paved the way for broader acceptance of sex toys as tools for self-discovery. Feminist writers and educators, such as Nagoski, Maines, and Orenstein, emphasize the importance of sexual autonomy, reframing vibrators as tools that allowed people with vulvae to prioritize their pleasure independently of male partners. This was a radical departure from earlier societal messages which positioned female sexual satisfaction as secondary to males.

The Orgasm Gap

Despite these advancements, the orgasm gap––a persistent disparity in the frequency of orgasms between males and females––remains a significant issue that highlights systemic inequalities in how sexual satisfaction is prioritized. Research by Garcia and Lloyd shows that heterosexual females experience significantly fewer orgasms than their male counterparts, largely due to societal norms that prioritize male pleasure, inadequate access to comprehensive sexual education that addresses female anatomy and pleasure.

Vibrators have been proven instrumental in addressing this gap by allowing people assigned female at birth to explore their bodies, develop a deeper understanding of their sexual responses, and advocate for their needs in relationships. Nicole Andrejek et al. note that vibrators help deconstruct heteronormative assumptions about sex by demonstrating that female orgasms often require more than vaginal penetration alone. By focusing on the sexual needs specific to people with vulvae, vibrators challenge the longstanding cultural narrative that prioritizes male satisfaction.

Platforms like OMGYes and Afterglow further contribute to addressing the orgasm gap and the stigmas surrounding female sexuality and pleasure. OMGYes, for instance, employs interactive tools and research-based content to educate individuals on sexual pleasure for people assigned female at birth, breaking down cultural taboos surrounding the topic and encouraging open conversations. Emily Nagoski, in Come As You Are, emphasizes the importance of such resources, arguing that pleasure-centred education is crucial for dismantling barriers that prevent people with vulvae from achieving sexual satisfaction. The openness and accessibility of these platforms also democratize conversations about pleasure for people with vulvae, making them available to diverse audiences and fostering a more inclusive understanding of sexuality. On OMGYes's website, they even link a Marie Claire article about actress Emma Watson's endorsement of their company.

The role of clitoral stimulation

Clitoral stimulation is often critical to achieving an orgasm for people with vulvae, yet it is frequently overlooked in mainstream sexual discourse. Studies indicate that seventy to eighty percent of people with vulvae require direct clitoral stimulation to reach orgasm, as the clitoris contains approximately eight thousand nerve endings, making it one of the most sensitive parts of the body. Despite these widespread findings, cultural narratives surrounding heterosexual sex often emphasize vaginal penetration, marginalizing the importance of the clitoris in sexual satisfaction.

Vibrators designed specifically for clitoral stimulation have been instrumental in addressing this gap. Unlike traditional depictions of sexual pleasure, which often centre male-focused narratives, vibrators tend to place female pleasure at the forefront. This shift not only enhances individual satisfaction but also challenges broader cultural stigmas surrounding bodies that were assigned female at birth. As Peggy Orenstein notes in Girls & Sex: Navigating The Complicated New Landscape, young people with vulvae often internalize societal messages that prioritize male pleasure and discourage the exploration of their bodies. Vibrators counteract this messaging by encouraging people with vulvae to take ownership of their pleasure and recognize the centrality of clitoral orgasm in achieving orgasm.

Vaginal shame and societal messaging

In addition to addressing the orgasm gap, vibrators play an essential role in combatting vaginal shame––a pervasive societal issue that discourages people with vulvae from embracing their bodies. Orenstein discusses how people assigned females at birth are often socialized to view their genitalia as unclean or unattractive, a message reinforced by both media and inadequate sexual education. This shame creates significant barriers to sexual autonomy, as people with vulvae may feel disconnected from their bodies or too ashamed to explore and communicate their sexual needs and desires.

Vibrators help to combat vaginal shame by normalizing discussions about female sexual pleasure and anatomy. By encouraging people with vulvae to explore their bodies and their likes/dislikes, vibrators foster a sense of empowerment that counters the negative messaging surrounding female genitalia. This aligns with broader feminist efforts to destigmatize bodies that were assigned female at birth and promote a more inclusive understanding of sexuality.

The importance of orgasms for health and relationships

While orgasm may not be the goal of every sexual encounter, orgasms do have significant health benefits and can play an important role in strengthening relationships. Orgasms release endorphins and oxytocin, which help reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance feelings of intimacy between partners. Additionally, regular orgasms are associated with improved cardiovascular health, better sleep, and increased overall well-being.

In relationships, achieving mutual satisfaction fosters emotional closeness and reduces tension; research by Johnson et al. in the Journal of Sex Research highlights that couples who prioritize open communication about their sexual needs report higher levels of relationship satisfaction and emotional intimacy. Vibrators contribute to these dynamics by providing tools for people with vulvae to understand and articulate their needs, creating opportunities for partners to explore pleasure together

Furthermore, vibrators can enhance sexual experiences for individuals and couples alike. The integration of vibrators into partnered sex not only enhances physical sensations but also fosters a sense of collaboration and mutual exploration. This challenges traditional narratives that frame sex toys as “replacements” for partners, instead positioning them as tools that can potentially enhance connection, intimacy, and pleasure.

Modern cultural representations and accessibility

In contemporary society, vibrators have transcended their historical stigma to become symbols of sexual empowerment. The vibrator’s integration into popular culture––through feminist art, media representations, and endorsements by public figures––underscores its growing acceptance in society. For example, the Orgasms & Liberation exhibit highlights how the sexual revolution of the 20^th century paved the way for modern, open discussions about female pleasure, setting the stage for the modern acceptance of sex toys as tools for liberation.

The sex toy section at Target.

Vibrators are no longer confined to the shadows of medical offices or secretive advertisements; now accessibly sold in stores like Chapters, Target, and our very own UBC Wellness Centre, vibrators have become tools of empowerment and symbols of resistance against societal norms that have historically silenced pleasure for people assigned female at birth. By bridging the gap between historical stigma and contemporary acceptance, vibrators not only challenge cultural taboos but also promote a more inclusive understanding of sexuality.  

Conclusion  

This (usually) small artifact carries a powerful narrative of resistance, empowerment, and cultural transformation. From its origins as a medical device shrouded in euphemisms to its contemporary role as a celebrated tool for sexual liberation, the vibrator’s journey reflects broader societal shifts in attitudes toward female sexuality and pleasure. By aiding people with vulvae in addressing the orgasm gap, combatting vaginal shame, and promoting clitoral stimulation, vibrators challenge cultural taboos and advance conversations about sexual autonomy.  

Through its integration into feminist movements, technological platforms, and popular culture, the vibrator not only facilitates physical satisfaction but can also foster emotional intimacy and self-discovery. As societal attitudes continue to change, grow, and evolve, vibrators remain at the forefront of efforts to destigmatize pleasure for people with vulvae and to create a more inclusive understanding of sexuality; however, we must remain vigilant in furthering accessibility and confronting lingering stigmas to ensure that vibrators and sex toys are accessible to all who wish to use them.  

About the author of this article

Coco Mok is a 20-year-old, second-year undergraduate Psychology student at the University of British Columbia. She is deeply passionate about mental health and sexual health, with a focus on promoting open conversations and reducing stigma in these areas. Through her studies, she aims to explore the intersections of psychological well-being and human sexuality to advocate for education and empowerment.