The current need for social distancing is certainly taking its toll on a lot of people’s sex lives. Whether you are single and now have no way to meet up with potential online dates in real life or are unable to go out to anywhere where you might meet someone, or whether you’re in a relationship with someone you don’t live with and so don’t get to see them in person much – if at all – under the current conditions, chances are you’re really missing having the chance to have sex!

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For people who are usually sexually active, these can be trying times, but it can also be a good opportunity to try out some new things – either in terms of solo play or in terms of things like having phone sex with your partner. But, if you’ve never really considered using toys on your own before, it can be hard to know where to start! The Badum Tish sex toys website has some great advice and comparisons to help you find the right toys for you, but in broad strokes, it can help to know some of the different sorts of toys that are out there designed with solo use in mind. Here are some major categories to familiarize yourself with before you shop:

Dildos

Dildos are probably the best-known sex toys, but there are still plenty of different types that it can help to be aware of. Dildos are phallic toys used for penetration, sometimes used on their own manually, sometimes used in conjunction with other toys, like monkey rockers or sex machines, and sometimes worn as strap-ons. They can vary in size, but also shape, with dildos designed for anal use having flared bases so they can be removed safely. Often, realistic style dildos are made of silicon, but you can also find dildos made of gels, rigid plastics, and other materials, for different textures and rigidity.

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