Our Electro Sex Toy Guide for the TENS Unit

Good sex is often described as electric, but usually, that’s all about the chemistry between the people involved. Most folks wouldn’t ever contemplate involving actual electricity in their erotic play because let’s face it, those static electric shocks you get aren’t fun. So how do you make electrostimulation sexy not scary? Victoria Blisse shares her top tips.

Guide to electrostimulation – Shock your socks off with a TENS unit!

First things first, safety* is sexy. *Never use electro sex toys if you have a pacemaker or heart problems, electrical medical implant or if you’re pregnant. Don’t use on broken skin, but nicely warmed up red skin is fantastic for BDSM play.

Electrosex toys are made to be as safe as possible, but you need to have some basic safety knowledge before using them. The general rule for any newbie is to keep all electric stimulation below the waist. This is to protect the heart and the brain, both of which are sensitive to electric currents. Until you know your stuff, keep your play below the waist.

The best way to learn would be to get instruction from a seasoned eStim practitioner. If not, be sure to read the instructions that come with your unit thoroughly and do some research before starting play.

What is a TENS unit?

The most often used machine for electro sex is a TENS unit. Their original medical use was for the relief nerve or muscle pain, lots of women use it to ease labour pains, but they can also be used for pleasure purposes.

It’s not all about pain; a TENS unit has a variety of settings which can provide everything for a gentle, vibrating hum to zapping, brain-numbing pain. It’s up to you which settings you pick. You can buy specific erotic TENS unit machines, but medical units can be used as well, with a variety of electro sex toys and attachments available. *Check all connections, pads and wires before play. If they show any signs of wear, do not use them.

Time for some electric love!

How to use a TENS unit for pleasure and or pain

Always attach your electrodes (usually in the shape of a sticky pad) on your body first before turning on the current. Keep these below the waist if you’re new to the world of electric. The electric current will flow between the pads. TIP: the wider apart they are, the more gentle, the smaller the area between the more intense the sensation.

The size of the TENS unit pads will make a difference too. The bigger they are, the wider the area covered but, the smaller they are, the more focused and intense the sensations will be. If you’re looking for erotic stimulation, bigger pads are probably better, for pain go small.

There are a few different settings you can use for sexual stimulation. Place the TENS unit pads either side of the clit or vulva or near the tip and the bottom of a penis to direct the current to nerves that are bound to make you tingle. You can also place them at the top and bottom of the scrotum or either side of the anus, depending on what you want. Have fun experimenting!

TIP: You may need to spritz with saline (water and salt) if you’re using connections that don’t have conductive gel on them as dry skin is not a good conductor. If you have conductive gel, that won’t generally be needed. If electrodes are being inserted, be sure to use lube (as with any insertable) but also for conductivity purposes too.

*TENS units are designed to start at the lowest setting and move up. This is a safety feature as a massive wave of electric could damage nerves and muscles, you need to warm them up first.

There are many settings on these units which produce all sorts of sensations. Tingling, pricking, pulling, twisting are some way to describe the throbbing that can accompany eStim. Muscles contract, nerves tingle and you can understand why electric play can be orgasmic and also evil, wicked pain.

TENS Unit + BDSM = Kinky fun!

Using TENS for BDSM play is great if you are looking for something that doesn’t mark. You may get a little redness where the electrodes connect to the skin, but this should fade relatively quickly. It can also be used on the already warmed up skin to intensify the shocking pain.

Erotic electrostimulation can be achieved by keeping to lower, more pulsing settings. If you don’t want any pain, you can also use your TENS machine purely to create pleasure. TIP: Be sure to turn your TENS machine off before disconnecting the pads. You are working muscles and nerves in your play so be sure to rest afterwards, maybe stretch muscles before standing and moving around. TENS units are fun for solo and partner play, be sure to communicate as you would in any scene and if in doubt don’t do it!

Clean up is simple and easy, electrodes with conductive gel can just be thrown away (or preserved by re-attaching to the plastic disc they come on. Once the gel is worn away do not use) any insertables can be cleaned with antiseptic wipes and or spray and used again.

Victoria Blisse was an erotic author and sex-positive Reverend. She helped shape fetish.com and FET from the very beginning and we're eternally grateful for her passion and creativity. Sadly, she passed away in January 2024. We hope that whenever her articles are read, she'll be honored.

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