Our guide to taking sexual intimacy to the next level
8 products that will take you straight to pleasure station
Some parents would rather you say Bloody Mary in front of a mirror three times than ask them about sex. Puberty for us was an awkward experience of trial and error. Advertisements made boys believe that women bled blue like we were a cricket team (here’s a better way to talk to them about periods). Girls didn’t know their clitoris from their vagina – some still struggle with this – and the ones questioning their gender identity and/or sexuality had to do it quietly through internal monologues.
The ’80s and ’90s were an undeniably weird time to be growing up. We were a generation of kids exposed to Raveena Tandon gyrating under a waterfall in Tip Tip Barsa Pani, while our parents and elders would never have sung along to “Baby Got Back” on the radio. Yet our own budding sexuality was barely acknowledged. Then came the internet, giving us access to a world of information and no means to process it all. So is it any wonder that we approach sex with the same trepidation as a tarantula’s lair?
“Of course, we still receive messages saying we’re going against ‘Indian culture’, that we’re ruining modesty,” said Anushka and Sahil Gupta, co-founders of MyMuse. It’s not new for owners of sexual wellness brands to receive such a response, but the Guptas say the messages are largely positive.
“We’ve got messages from well-wishers who love the content we create and what we’re doing, especially our educational posts. Indians are starved for information and conversation when it comes to sex-ed. So when we started providing it, a lot of people were grateful,” they added.
Whatever the pitfalls of a social media-based society may be, there still exist pockets of good. Perhaps it’s the anonymity that being behind a screen gives us to engage in forums of discussion that we aren’t comfortable having face-to-face.
More and more sex educators, gynaecologists, therapists and sex-positive content creators are using their platforms to debunk myths and share realistic advice on tackling sex, intimacy, and reproductive wellness. This growing conversation is making way for more sexual wellness brands to come up and cater to a curious Indian audience looking to embrace and explore their sexuality.
As Forbes puts it, the market of sexual wellness is dominated by condoms, projected to become a $180 million market, according to market research firm Research and Markets. Inc42 adds that it’s largely through online sales – which is no surprise given that even now we go into stealth mode to buy sanitary pads at the kinari ki dukaan.
Pleasure – either self-pleasure or with a partner – is still at a nascent stage, even in the online space, thanks to the confusion surrounding the legality of it all for consumers. Times of India reports that when it comes to sex toys, “Section 292 of the Indian Penal Code can be invoked to restrict the sale, exhibition, advertising, import, or export of sex toys on the ground of obscenity.”
But according to MyMuse, owning sex toys is completely legal. They make clear on their website’s FAQs, “We’ve spent lots of time choosing the right range of products to ensure we are on the right side of the law. The Indian Consitution grants citizens the right to privacy within their own space, and therefore the usage of bedroom essentials within your own bedroom doesn’t break any laws. All our products are procured legally and have been registered where necessary.”
With that out of the way, if you’re ready for some exploration then we’ve made our picks from the offerings of some of the best sexual wellness brands in the Indian market. Whether you’re someone who has just started to have sex (read this if you’re unsure of where to start) or looking to take your intimacy to the next level, you’ll find a handy product from this list.
Our favourites from sexual wellness brands in India
Breeze suction massager by MyMuse
A compact massager made of body-safe silicone, this little device packs a punch as a spot stimulator for the clitoris and nipples. That said, you can use it on any part of the body that you find arousing.
There are ten different patterns in this device, and we’d recommend going in easy if you’re trying it for the first time. It can be used alone or with a partner during intercourse. Remember to wash with soap and water after every use.
Ultra-Thin Condoms by Salad
You might be thinking, what’s so different about these condoms, compared to what you get at the chemist?
Salad’s vegan condoms are made using natural rubber latex which they say is sourced from sustainable rubber forests in the country. Other than being ultra-thin (yet an effective barrier method), our favourite thing about the company is that 15% of their profits go towards sex-ed in Indian schools and colleges – yes, please!
DTF lube by That Sassy Thing
Water-based lubes like DTF by That Sassy Thing are generally preferred by experts because it’s easy to wash off once you’re done, making it less likely to cause an adverse reaction due to any residue. Unlike oil-based products, they don’t damage latex condoms, so you can use this lube while practicing safe sex.
DTF checks all the right boxes, using ingredients that keep the vagina healthy from the inside out. Still, everyone’s vagina is different and can react differently to products. Whichever lube you do end up using, remember to clean up well after use and consult a medical professional beforehand if you’re prone to yeast infections and irritation.
Female Condoms by Domina
Adding to the contraceptive options available for women in the market is Domina with their female condoms. Also known as internal condoms, picture a female condom functioning as the inverse of a male condom. They’re inserted into the vagina and are bigger than male condoms in size.
The female condoms by Domina, a brand created by Vikas Bagaria of Pee Safe, are made using natural latex, However, they do contain a lavender scent so if you have any allergies or easily irritated skin, you may want to consult your healthcare provider before trying these out.
₹149 for a pack of 2 (currently on sale)
Latex-free condoms by SKYN
Eschewing condoms is almost always a bad idea. In some situations though, such as when someone has a latex allergy, it might be tempting to skip the condom. Or you could try SKYN.
SKYN avoids latex and makes condoms using polyisoprene, a scientifically formulated synthetic rubber which they say comes the closest to the feeling of not wearing a condom at all.
₹480 for a pack of 20
Extend delay spray by BoldCare
Premature ejaculation affects up to 40% of men at some point in their lifetime. It is normal, and involves both biological and psychological factors like abnormal hormone levels, past sexual trauma, inflammation and infections, as well as stress and relationship problems.
Yet premature ejaculation can be inconvenient, and at times, embarrassing for some. In this case, a delay spray can enable you to enjoy intercourse for a longer time. What delay sprays do, simply put, is slightly desensitise the area to prolong sex acts.
Lidocaine is one of the main ingredients in delay sprays. When used in the right amount, lidocaine is safe and has been heavily researched and tested as a mild topical anaesthetic. Use the spray (from a safe distance) on the erogenous zones on and around the penis.
Spiral condoms by Bleu
Don’t get frightened by the name. The spiral here refers to the tip of the condom which has a very unique shaped tip – although it isn’t a spiral. According to Bleu, you can delay climax through the shape rather than requiring application of external products.
This condom has got a flexible head, ribbed body, and shell-shaped neck. While the reviews have been mixed, it’s worth a try. They’re also vegan and with every purchase you make, you have the option to donate 5% of the sale value to the End AIDS India campaign.
₹380 for a pack of 8
S5 full set by The Sangya Project
The Sangya Project serves as not only a sexual wellness company, but a space that challenges our notions of sex and sexuality through sex education, giving a platform to diverse stories and experiences.
S5 is a strap-on sex toy comprising two parts: a non-vibrating dildo for penetration, and a harness-style holder for it which the person fastens around their hips.
It can be used for any kind of penetrative sex, regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation.
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Sex is not something we should be afraid of, or afraid of talking about. Forget what uncle Ben said in Spiderman. We believe that with great knowledge comes greater intimacy, and simple enjoyment in our own skin.