Women are voicing their frustration with the 'thrust mode' setting on vibrators, describing it as machine-like and aggressive, with many suggesting it must have been designed by a man. The setting, which mimics penetrative sex with an inward and outward motion, has sparked a wave of criticism on social media.
Half of the female population aged between 18 and 60 has used a vibrator at least once in their lives, according to the article. While default models offer a steady buzz that can be increased with each press of a button, some devices feature hundreds of settings, and thrust mode is one that many women skip past quickly.
Social Media Backlash
Instagram user @mrs.kmita wrote: 'Who put all those stupid rhythmic a** settings on these vibrators? Not a woman, I'll tell you that much.' Her comment prompted a mass response from other women who shared similar feelings.
@sydneyleroux commented: 'It's the mechanical version of “you like that?” and then immediately doing something different.' @jojo_j0v joked: 'If I wanted instability and inconsistency, I would use a man instead,' while @jules_her added: 'We all use the same setting?!' I thought I was unadventurous!'
Another user, @savoy_oy, said: 'No, I don't want to masturbate to the beat of Mary Had a Little Lamb,' with @mrissk writing: 'When you accidentally hit it, then have to cycle back through 184 settings.'
Design and History
Sexologist and psychosexual therapist Ness Cooper explains that sexuality and gender politics have long been tied to toy development, as well as the body's 'ergonomics'. She told Metro: 'Very few sex toys were designed with the vaginal canal or vulva in mind, often meaning more functions would result in more of a chance of it being a pleasurable success, in theory.'
Cooper, who has worked with sex tech companies for more than 20 years, contests the idea that most sex toys are designed with men in mind. She says many she speaks to regarding sex tech are 'overwhelmed' by the amount of settings or are terrified of getting it wrong.
The first-ever vibrator was invented by a man, Joseph Mortimer Granville, in the 1880s. His 'percuteur' was originally intended to treat muscle pain but ended up being used for a different purpose. At Lovehoney, the UK's most popular online adult toy retailer, the chief product officer is a man: Dr Mark Tobias Zegenhagen. LELO and Hot Octopuss were also founded by three men each.
Why Thrust Mode Exists
Cooper says the thrust setting was first introduced as a few sex toy companies wanted to move away from vibrations. Some manufacturers wanted to make sex toys 'feel like sex.' She explains: 'Others have focused on the fact that not everyone gets off from vibrations, and needs a thrusting or prodding sensation to feel sexual pleasure from sex toys.'
'For some, it might related to sensory needs or pelvic floor, while others might find making thrusting motions with sex toys occurs naturally for them when using them, but they tire quickly from keeping it up. Thrusting sex toys are big in the world of sex tech and disability as manually this is a really hard thing to keep up in the positions needed for penetration with solo play. I wouldn't put it all down to men creating sex toys based on how men see sex, as many women do enjoy the thrust.'
Cooper notes: 'Some companies still don't test their product, even if it's made by women. It's made in their image rather than checking with the masses. But we'll never be able to make a device that's universal. What works for one person's needs isn't going to work for another.'
What Women Want
Statistics indicate that three to five settings is ideal, and Cooper reckons many companies are taking this on board. She says: 'Often, sex is very time-limited and no one wants to shuffle through a large list. It's easier to click off a setting when there are more, but when you're mid-moment and at the really good stages of pleasure, it can be frustrating having to move through loads. It's a bit of an orgasm killer.'
