An Intro to E-Stim - and Toys!

Some people fantasize about being tied up, while others get worked up for a babysitter role play. Still others prefer something a little more, ahem, extreme. In a new survey from the Sex Expo, 26% of respondents said they’d like to try erotic electrostimulation. (For context, 500 people over the age of 18 were included in the survey.)

“If you're looking for new and different erotic sensations, electrostimulation offers next-level stimulation,” says Good Vibrations resident sexologist and all-around sex expert , Carol Queen. “Playing with electrical stimulation can yield tingly, sensual sensations all the way to substantial intensity.”

“E-stim” or “electro sex,” as it’s more casually known, tends to focus on providing electrical stimulation to the penis, scrotum, clitoris and vagina. It’s done via a variety of toys and objects, including vaginal plugs, vibrators, anal plugs, clamps and just about any other sex toy you can think of.

Electrostimulation isn’t anything new, although the trend between the sheets is. Before the 1950s, it was touted as a medical treatment to help alleviate health ailments, from pain to muscle problems. It was then repositioned as the Relax-A-Cizor, a slimming tool, but was ultimately pulled from shelves because of safety risks. You may recall the appearance of the device on "Mad Men" when Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss) had to come up with an ad campaign for the “Electrosizer.” Fast forward to the 1970s, when Medical TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator) and EMS (Electro Muscle Stimulation) units were approved by the FDA to block nerve pain and cause muscle contractions. It wasn’t until The Titilator, and the Pleasure Box (PES Power Box) were released in the 1980s that these devices were manufactured with sexual pleasure in mind.

Read: Shock Your Sex Life: Electrosex for Couples

So how does e-stim work?

It’s pretty simple, really. Basically, our bodies produce a nonstop stream of electrical impulses that are a superhighway of messages between our nerve endings and our brain. Small, safely-administered doses of electricity induce a positive reaction in the brain. The typical set-up usually consists of a box and wired electrodes powered by batteries. This is called a TENS or e-stim unit. The most popular one on the market is made by Mystim. The width (how long a single electrical impulse from the device lasts), rate (aka “frequency,” measures the electrical impulses in Hertz), and intensity (how strong each electrical pulse is) of the electrical pulses are controlled either via a remote control, computer or radio frequency key fob.

How to Explore E-Stim

Like most sexual activities, it may take some time and experimentation to figure out what you like. There are various ways to explore. “Neon wands create an electrical discharge across the surface of the skin – you can enjoy a broad range of stimulation, from pleasurably warm tingling, to a more intense, focused sensation that some BDSM fans find pleasurably painful,” says Queen.

Before you apply an electrical current to a partner's body, practice on a hand, thigh or forearm to get a handle on the device and its power settings. “It's an electricity toy – that is, turning it up causes the sensations it produces to range from a sexy tickle to a zap to an intense bite,” says Queen. “Start mild and see what you like.” Nobody wants an unpleasant surprise on their erogenous parts.

Address Concerns and Boundaries Upfront

It’s imperative that you have a conversation with your partner about any concerns or boundaries you may have. This is a good rule of thumb when it comes to embarking on any new sexual adventure, really. Also, make sure you and your partner remove any metal jewelry.