What is a Dildo?
A dildo (or dildoe, a rare alternate spelling) is a sex toy, often explicitly phallic in appearance, intended for bodily interaction during masturbation or sexual intercourse.
There is some disagreement about what precisely defines a dildo. There is general agreement that a nonvibrating device, resembling the penis in shape, size, and overall appearance, is a dildo.
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Some people include vibrating devices in this definition. Others exclude penis prosthetic aids, also called "extensions." Some include penis-shaped items clearly designed with vaginal penetration in mind even if they are not true approximations of a penis. Some people include devices designed for anal penetration (butt plugs) while others do not. Dildos come in various sizes. Some people pay a greater sum for longer, thicker, and wider dildos to challenge their anus or vaginal area.
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Vaginal and/or anal penetration are the obvious uses. Dildos have fetishistic value as well, and some couples use them in other ways, running them over the skin during foreplay for example. If of appropriate sizes, they can be used as gags, for oral penetration for a sort of artificial fellatio. Some people also use specially designed dildos to stimulate the G-spot. |
Dildos are used by people of all genders and sexual orientations, alone or with others.
Safety and Health
Some larger dildos are intended for visual appeal only and should not be used for penetration.
Dildos can transmit disease between users in the same way as other forms of sexual contact, and should not be shared among users where this is a concern. This is particularly true for dildos made of porous or micro-porous materials, such as most soft synthetics. On the other hand, smooth stainless steel or Pyrex dildos are easier to clean, non-porous, and can be more easily sanitized, either chemically or by boiling. Silicone dildos can also be sterilized via boiling or washing with a diluted bleach solution (10 parts water: 1 part bleach), then rinsed well. This is not meant to say that any unprotected dildo should be used by more than one person without being sanitized. An effective remedy is to use a fresh condom on the dildo.
Silicone dildos and silicone-based lubricants are not compatible, so users should avoid combining the two. Silicone lubricant dissolves the surface of silicone toys, turning it sticky. Pre-lubricated condoms almost always contain silicone lubricant, so when covering a silicone dildo with a condom, only a nonlubricated condom should be used. Non-silicone, water-based lubricants work best for silicone toys. |
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Dildos without a flanged base or other mechanism to control the depth of insertion should not be used anally, because they can be difficult to retrieve without medical assistance.
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What's in a word?
The word "dildo" originally referred to the phallus-shaped peg used to lock an oar in position on a dory (small boat). It would be inserted into a hole on the side of the boat, and is very similar in shape and function to the modern toy. It is highly likely the toy takes its name from this sailing tool, which also lends its name to the town of Dildo and the nearby Dildo Island in Newfoundland, Canada. Others suggest the word is a corruption of Italian "diletto" (for "delight").
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