If the immense popularity of the TikTok-famous rose vibrator has taught us anything, it's that people love a toy that's been endorsed by their favorite social media stars.
But another thing this toy's swift ascent to fame has taught us is that new technologies in the realm of sex toys are hugely exciting to users. In addition to standard vibration, the rose toy also incorporates pressure-wave stimulation, a relatively new invention in the pleasure industry. Let's talk about what it is, how it works, and what it feels like!
A brief history of pressure-wave toys
Prior to the invention of pressure-wave toys, sex toys for vulva pleasure had long been limited to some key categories: vibrators, dildos, and some quirky and/or sadomasochistic miscellany like pussy pumps and clit clamps. Sure, there's a lot of variety to be found within these categories, but the market was due for a shake-up nonetheless. And who knew that that shake-up would be kicked off by two inventors in a small town in Bavaria?
One of those inventors, Michael Lenke, had previously worked on projects as diverse as road safety systems, plant cultivation systems, and earthquake warning systems. But there was no warning for the metaphorical earthquake that was to follow when he and his wife co-developed what came to be known as pressure-wave stimulation.
Lenke said in a Galaxus interview that he spent about a year doing research for the product, including interviewing gynecologists and looking into statistics on the "orgasm gap" – the sad but scientifically proven fact that cis women have far fewer orgasms during partnered sex than cis men do, for a variety of sociocultural and physiological reasons. Lenke wanted to invent a toy that would address this issue and help vulva-owners worldwide get the satisfaction they craved – and he put in the work to make it happen. "Once an invention is finished, everything always looks so simple, but it's a hard road to get there," he said.
Lenke and his wife launched a brand called Womanizer in 2014, and their flagship product contained this new technology, which would later find its way into multiple bestselling toys, including the rose toy. But what does that technology do, exactly?
What is pressure-wave stimulation, and what does it feel like?
Traditional vibration is essentially just very fast back-and-forth movement – like a partner stroking your clit, except way faster, more precisely, more consistently, and (sometimes) more powerfully than a human would be able to replicate.
By contrast, pressure-wave stimulation is "touchless," meaning that the toy itself is not what's stimulating you, but rather, the tiny air currents that the toy creates.
Each clitoral pressure-wave toy has a "mouth" or nozzle which is meant to be placed over the glans (tip) of the clitoris. The toy generates fast, rhythmic changes in air pressure within the chamber surrounding your clit.
But if that makes it sound like pressure-wave toys would feel like a gentle breeze against your bits, think again – the small size of the chamber, and the suction seal that the air currents create around your clit, actually make the sensations pretty strong. In addition to a gentle sucking sensation, the air currents can feel like rhythmic tapping. Depending on the power level of your particular toy, and your clitoral sensitivity level, this can feel mildly stimulating, wildly intense, or anywhere in between.
Some users report that pressure-wave toys create more of a slow, gradual ascent toward orgasm than the comparatively wham-bam sensations of a strong vibrator.
Some people also find that multiple orgasms are more within reach for them with pressure-wave toys than with more direct methods of stimulation, because their clit may not get as overstimulated and hypersensitive after one orgasm, due to the gentleness of pressure waves compared to something like vibration.
That's not to say that all users enjoy pressure-wave toys, however. The stimulation is unconventional and can be subtle, so users who are accustomed to – or just prefer – high-powered vibration may not find the more subdued pressure-wave sensations stimulating enough to get them off.
Some people also have issues with pressure-wave toys due to how they tend to focus on the tip of the clit almost exclusively. That can be a big adjustment if you're used to having your clit stimulated in a more indirect or holistic way, such as with a rumbly wand vibrator pressed against your outer labia or a partner's tongue stroking you through your clitoral hood. Using lube can mitigate some discomfort and make the sensations more enjoyable, but if you just don't dig direct clit stimulation, these toys might not be for you.
Tips for using a pressure-wave toy
Check out our article on how to use a rose toy for more detailed info – but if you just want the TL;DR, here are some quick-and-dirty tips to help you maximize your pleasure while using a rose toy or another pressure-wave toy.
Get turned on first. The sensations of pressure waves can be unexpected and sometimes jarring, especially if you're not used to them, but arousal helps a lot by making you more receptive to pleasure both physically and mentally. It's also easier to locate your clit and put a toy on it when you're already turned on, because the clitoris swells with arousal. Watch porn, read erotica, touch yourself with your lubed fingers, or do whatever else feels good, before reaching for your toy.
Use lube. As with most sex toys, pressure-wave products feel much better when paired with a great lubricant. A water-based lube is usually the best pick for these toys. Apply lube both to the nozzle of the toy and to your clit and the surrounding area for best results.
Experiment with placement and angles. The angle at which you hold the toy can affect whether it's able to create a proper suction seal around your clit, so try out different ways of holding it to see if you prefer how it feels with a stronger or weaker seal. You can also mess around with placement on your clit – for example, if you're quite sensitive, you may want to put the toy's nozzle on top of your clitoral hood, so that the stimulation you get is indirect and thus softened.
Focus on the journey, not the destination. When there's a lot of hype about a new kind o toy, it's normal to wonder how orgasms with that toy might feel – but you can easily set yourself up for failure and disappointment if you place too much importance on orgasms and not enough on sheer pleasure. As with a new sexual partner, a new toy won't necessarily get you off right away – it takes time to learn what works and what doesn't – but that's all the more reason to enjoy the ride, and view every session as a way of learning more about yourself and what feels good for you.
Have you ever tried a pressure-wave toy? If not, well, you know where to find one…
