For the love of the faux phallus.

VIBRATORS are very common and popular dildos due to their added ability to produce sexual stimuli via battery powered oscillating motion waves and come in a multitude of shapes and sizes. Higher-end vibrators now come with an onslaught of vibrating combinations and sensual materials. Vibrators can stimulate both females and males alike in different areas of their anatomy, but are the most well known for their vaginal stimulation. However, male prostate massagers are becoming more and more popular.

ANAL PLUGS, or "butt plugs" as they are most commonly called, are shorter stout dildos usually with wider girths. The exception to this general size rule being the EXTREME versions that can dwarf some normal size dildos. Plugs are intended for the purpose of stretching the anal sphincter muscle bands, training them to more readily accept a large phallus or an increase to a larger dildo size. They come in an array of shapes, sizes and materials depending on your experience (or fashion) level and are often inserted to plug the ass for long periods of time during everyday activities, giving them their familiar nickname.

FANTASY DILDOS can be any shape or size. Who says a phallus has to be human? Or even a phallus?Many of these dildos are based on fairytale creatures such as sea monsters, orcs and dragons or aliens of science fiction. Whatever the mythical being, the phallic representation of such creatures can be magnificently scaled, ribbed, knobbed, twisted and colored with the intention of making for some interesting and stimulating penetrations beyond what the human form could deliver.

REALISTIC DILDOS IN APPEARANCE are a staple of the industry for the obvious reason. The quality of these reproductions can vary from being generally similar in shape to a penis to an exact likeness of a cock right down to the veining. Exact replica cocks of porn stars are a favorite in this faux phallus category, because what dildo user wouldn't like to try the cock of their favorite porn star?

REALISTIC DILDOS IN APPEARANCE AND TEXTURE are becoming more and more life-like in their touch and satisfaction. Medical grade platinum silicone dildos are currently the best of these examples. Many of these dildos have a dual density construction of a firm inner core for the "stiffness" aspect, and a softer outer skin for the sensation of realistic flesh. The highest quality of these can even be warmed in a microwave to emulate natural skin temperatures before insertion. Expect these amazing dildos to cost a slight premium over their counterparts that just look real and are generally considered to be worth every inch and penny.

UNUSUAL DILDOS are dildos designed to perform beyond your basic acts of penetration. Examples would include dildos made to be: double-ended for two people to use simultaneously; shaped to penetrate the vagina and anus at once; extremely long and tapered like a tentacle that will completely penetrate the length of the large intestine; or even in the shape of a human forearm and hand that simulates the fetish of fisting.

EVERYDAY ITEMS are also used as dildos. This is mainly a CAUTIONARY mention since they are an undeniable fact of the faux phallus lifestyle and have probably become the subject of one or two ER stories. A few of the more common examples of makeshift dildos are sports balls, baseball bats, veggies, beverage bottles, glass egg or mushroom shaped paperweights, and even bed posts, just to name a few. Any item that people have used for sexual penetration, not specifically designed and sold as a dildo, would fall into this category.

HANDS, ARMS and FEET are also used like dildos. Although many would consider these worthy of their own dedicated section, they still fall into the non-dildo category. Generally categorized as a fetish called "fisting" (mentioned above), this human limb penetration practice is very common among both EXTREME anal and vaginal dildo users because "why not?" Limbs are fleshy, large, lumpy or long and perfect for intestinal penetrating that often goes elbow-deep and beyond.

SOUNDING RODS aren't really dildos, but they are inserted into the body in similar fashion. "What in the heck are sounding rods?" Also marketed as URETHRAL SOUNDS, these are long, skinny rods that are inserted into the urethra of the penis or vagina, known as a non-medical practice called SOUNDING. It's performed for sexual pleasure and definitely considered somewhat of a masochistic fetish. In women, the pathway is fairly short. In men however, sounding can go for inches and inches. Polished stainless steel, smooth silicone rubber, plastic and glass are some of the more popular rod materials and can vary anywhere from the thickness of an ear swab that's mounted into a male chastity device, to the massive girth of a finger...or a finger! The most sought after sounding rods are custom and hand made by skilled jewelry artisans and also come in a variety of challenging lengths and surface shapes for insertion. As in anal play, sounding requires patience and lengthy training with lots of lube. We won't do a deep dive into this extreme fetish at dildo luv, but sticking things way up into one's pee hole is very popular with websites dedicated to the subject.