"Hysteria" - History of the Vibrator

The movie "Hysteria" - How the Vibrator was invented

Director Tanya Wexler's new movie "Hysteria" is about the Victorian-era invention of the vibrator, but Tanya says it's all about empowering women and having fun!

The film, which screened October 28th at the Rome Film Festival, is about women who pour out their problems to Dr Joseph Mortimer Granville, a doctor who practices in London in the 1880's. Along with a hysteria specialist and an inventor friend, Dr. Granville develops the first vibrator, which seems to magically cure women over and over and OVER again...

Wexler thinks that "the point of the movie is to say, 'don't take yourself so seriously'. It doesn't have to be a medical condition. We are supposed to be able to enjoy the enjoyable parts of life!"

Maggie Gyllenhaal, who plays the love interest in the film, got a kick out of playing a role that made the audiences blush: "It is true that we are way more embarrassed and shy and stuck in this sort of Victorian way of thinking than we like to admit."

Masturbation Facts for Women

Most women have masturbated at least once in their lives, and the frequency of masturbation varies widely, with the practice continuing into the 80s and beyond. More than 50% of women have used a vibrator during masturbation and to spice up intercourse.

Masturbation can improve your mood. Women who masturbate often report that it helps relieve the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS or PMDD), such as irritability and crankiness. Since there are no distractions, you can focus on your own experience without making sure someone else is having a good time.

Masturbation can improve your sex life with your partner. Women who masturbate on a regular basis learn what feels good for them, and women who use a vibrator during masturbation tend to have better sexual functioning with a partner. Sex therapists typically recommend masturbation for women who have a difficult time reaching orgasm. It can help them learn about their body and feel less self-conscious. Women who used a vibrator had better sexual functioning in terms of vaginal lubrication, desire, arousal, and ease of orgasm, and they tended to have less pain or discomfort during intercourse.

Masturbation can help you relax. Women tend to beat themselves up over things that they did during the day, and these little stresses can lead to irritability and depression. Masturbation can clear the mind and lead to an overall sense of well being.

Masturbation can provide pain relief. Orgasms have been shown to suppress pain, relieve the symptoms of a migraine and help with menstrual cramps.

Masturbation Facts

Masturbation Facts - Sexual Experience and Attitudes

* 3.35 million people in the US search for the keyword "Sex Toys" on Google each month
* 20% of adults report that they indulge in kinky sex using masks, blindfolds or bondage gear
* 20% of men report using a vibrator
* 44% of women report that they have used a sex toy
* 15% were under 20 when they first tried one
* 50% were in their 20's when they first tried one
* 25% were in their 30's when they first tried one
* 10% were forty or older when they first tried one
* 20% of women report masturbating at least once a week. Of those 20%, 60% use a sex toy
* Women who use sex toys report experiencing more frequent orgasms than those who say they don't use toys
* Women who report masturbating score higher on a self-esteem index than women who don't masturbate.