Is it Japanese? Is it a made up word? Why would I want one?
Search “onahole” on Reddit and you’ll find thousands (yes, some in different languages) of queries to the effect of: Why am I buying another onahole? And if you, personally, have had the distinct pleasure of enjoying a self-play toy, surely you can sympathize. To start, we are talking about a small adult toy made out of the softest synthetic materials, usually silicone, that can be used to provide pleasure without a partner. And frankly, humans have found far less saucy gadgets equally enticing in the realm of sexual pleasure.
The good news is this: There are, indeed, fun and safe ways to masturbate using an onahole, or masturbator. But, like with any decided form of pleasure, there are cautions. While stroking yourself with an onahole can certainly feel good, you’re recommended against jacking up the intensity of the action for the sake of more sensation without the proper lubricant. That said, a gentle stroke can be an excellent accompaniment to otherwise masturbation tactics (try it with a prostate). Let that little guy work its supplemental benefits.
Also, it’s important to remember that the central purpose of an onahole is to use while you are alone and only occasionally. Which is to say, so long as you’re not overdoing it, the thing works almost like an enema, so it can be a great way to ensure that you’re feeling ready and practiced before real sex.
Better yet, the onahole can be used for female pleasure, too. According to gynecologists, people with vaginas most often orgasm from external stimulation—and the sensation of running your toy over the clitoral hood and labia can certainly induce pleasure for lots of folks. In fact, friction around the vulva is almost always a major turn-on. What’s more, a onahole can also be used to access other erogenous zones like the perenium (the area between the vaginal opening and the anus)—which can be tough to reach with a hand while masturbating. It is soft and flexible so able to reach places other toys cannot.
Au contraire, there is plenty of bacteria to be wary of if you’re using an onahole to self-stimulate. Due to the nature of the thing itself, it may be holding onto any number of bacterias or contaminants that can lead to yeast infections or UTIs, so be sure to thoroughly disinfect your toy (and clean it out) before masturbatory use. Oh, and perhaps it goes without saying, but it’s certainly not recommended that you use the masturbator for its proper function in the same session as vulva stimulation.