If Instagram is to be believed, then self-care for women basically amounts to face masks and daily affirmation apps.
Hot take: Sex toys are the ultimate self-care purchase.
Orgasms release oxytocin, the anti-stress hormone that gets you warm and fuzzy when cuddling, while dopamine, a neurotransmitter that regulates sleep, also makes an appearance. It stands to reason, then, that "I need to get laid" is a thing that actually makes sense to say when you're having a rough week.
Sex toys allow you to give yourself that needed boost whenever you damn well please, and it's empowering not to have to rely on someone else (though toys are great for spicing things up with a partner, too). Getting to know your body is also key in developing a positive relationship with yourself — the most important relationship you'll ever have.
Not all sex toys are made equally: Your favorite could be an oral sex simulator, your classic wand vibrator, or a fin-shaped toy that lets you use a vibrator in ways you didn't know a vibrator could ever be used. Whatever your preference, there's so much more available than those $10 vibrators at Spencer's in the mall.
If you're feeling a little overwhelmed, worry not — we have a handy guide to help you choose a sex toy. And to make the process even easier, we've rounded up some of our favorite toys out there at the moment.
Note: For the purpose of this article, we are looking primarily at toys that are intended for use by people who are assigned female at birth, which means they are recommended with the same enthusiasm for anyone with a vagina regardless of gender identity.
