Almost 40 percent of couples buy pleasure products to enhance their sex life, reports show.
From consultancy for sexual problems to buying a sex toy, Bengalureans prefer to do everything online.
Research by Practo, an online platform for all healthcare needs, shows Bengaluru has been recording a 50 percent increase in online queries for sexual health every year.
Diksha (name changed), a 25-year-old resident of Banashankari, prefers e-consultancy for any queries related to her sexual health. She said, “Earlier, I used to visit doctors, but it takes a lot of courage to explain your problems face-to-face. I have always had a fear of being judged. Last year, I got to know about different e-consultancy platforms and since then, I have started using them.”
Dr. Raunak Barnawal from Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences and an e-consultant said, “During an e-consultation, doctors do not meet patients in person. It helps the patients speak up about topics like priapism, erectile dysfunction, and orgasm or ejaculation disorders. It also helps patients open up about their state of mind while having intercourse. For example, many people might lose interest in sex or have negative thoughts during sex, or have painful intercourse.”
The Report by Practo shows that 70 percent of e-consultations for sexual health queries were from Bengaluru, Delhi National Capital Region (NCR), Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai. People aged 21-30 have raised 72 percent of the queries, followed by people from the 31-40 age group. The report shows the main topics of discussion were abortion, unplanned pregnancy, masturbation, and premature ejaculation.
E-consultation also helps build a bond with doctors. “When I ask my queries on chat or call, the feeling of being judged is less. After two or three online sessions, I went for my first offline session. I felt the e-consultations helped me feel more relaxed and confident in sharing my problems,” Diksha added.
“These problems are not new but people are hesitant to talk about these things because of the stigma prevailing in society. I have seen patients who are in a bad situation but do not visit doctors. Incompetent males do not even visit a hospital for checkups. If they do visit a doctor, they are very shy in sharing their problems. But people are increasingly consulting doctors about their sexual health. I have witnessed about 68 – 70 percent increase in patients who take e-consultancy from me,” said Dr. Barnawal.
The report also finds that Indians have over 1000 queries related to sexual and reproductive health per hour. Cities like Bengaluru, Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai witnessed a growth of 196 percent for sexual health-related e-consultants year-on-year. Forty-six percent of all sexual health-related consultations come from men, while 54 percent were from women.
Prakriti (name changed), a management student said, “I have brought a sex toy online. It is really difficult to find an offline store. Buying sex toys online is a safer option because I can explore all options and choose accordingly. Online sites also help keep things confidential.”
Bengaluru has recorded the second-highest sex toy sales, a report by ThatsPersonal shows.
Market Analysis
A report by Allied Market Research shows that the Indian sexual wellness market generated $1.15 billion (Rs. 94.13 billion) in 2020. The market is expected to reach $2.09 billion (Rs. 171 billion) by 2030, witnessing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8 percent. Online retail platforms are the major drivers of the Indian sexual wellness market. There is an increase in the number of consumers shopping online, owing to the availability of different product options and price comparison on online shopping sites. The main purpose of sexual wellness products is to provide safe sex and help enhance sexual pleasure. The sexual wellness market helps people plan pregnancy and prevent sexually transmitted infections. Sexual wellness products include vibrators, contraceptives, exotic lingerie and apparel, pregnancy testing products, menstrual cups, and dental dams.
Companies like Sassiest, itspleazure, cupidbaba are leading in this market. In the current scenario, most sexual wellness products manufacturing companies have their own web-based retail stores where users have access to information about product launches, features, demos, prices, and more.
E-consultant Dr. Barnawal said, “The use of sex toys can increase pleasure and can also help save strained relationships. Knowing about your body is very important and self-pleasure is not a sin. Orgasm helps reduce stress and other problems.”
Vijaya Darade, Sexuality Educator said, “Many people come from a background where myth around breast size, vagina, penis, pleasure prevail and they believe in them. E-consultancies are helping people talk about their sexual health and know about their bodies. They are also helping people become more aware of the sexual problems and normalize discussion on sex.”
Different people explore their bodies differently, and many people use sex toys to do that. “While using sex toys, maintaining hygiene is very important. Always clean your toys before and after using them. Do not share your toys with anyone else. If anybody masturbates using toys that do not mean they are not interested in the human touch. They are masturbating for themselves and for own their pleasure,” added Vijaya.
