Vibrators have come a long way since they were plugged into a wall, massaged your clitoris like a lawnmower and imitated the sound of a jet taking off. Today's models are more user-friendly, they have more discreet sound effects and, for those who can't leave home without one, can be carried around in your handbag.

First, let's point out that vibrators are not just for sex-starved or sex-crazed single women. Recent research carried out by My Pleasure, a US sex toys supplier, revealed that 20 per cent of women use a vibrator while masturbating - an excellent way to electrify your orgasm. But, sex toys don't just help women reach new heights of pleasure. They are also a lifeline for women with problems obtaining orgasm and can help increase sexual confidence.

Sex toys have been around for at least 2,500 years. Dildos were popular in Ancient Egypt, and even the Romans were known to make large penis-shaped candles. Adult toys have come a long way since then. Nowadays the variety of sex toys on the market is huge and you'll want to experiment to find the right one for you. If you're new to the world of vibrators, there are two main types: the battery-powered dildo, which is penis shaped and designed for insertion, and its smaller counterpart that's designed solely to massage your clitoris.

My first exposure to the latter type occurred when my friend Kirsty dropped in from New York. All she could talk about was the new vibrator she'd acquired. 'I've discovered my clitoris,' she crooned, and took the object of her newfound pleasure out of her bag.

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