Gender & Sexuality dictionary
Ben Wa balls
[ben wah bawlz]
What does Ben Wa balls mean?
Content warning: The following article contains explicit references to sexual language, which are included because they document the real-world use of this term.
Ben Wa balls are small, round balls, often made of metal or rubber, inserted into the vagina for sexual pleasure or Kegel exercises.
Related words:
- anal beads
- baoding balls
- butt plug
- cock ring
Where does Ben Wa balls come from?
Ben Wa balls are sex toys intended for vaginal use. Once inserted, either alone or with help from a partner, they are supposed to be held in with the pelvic muscles. When seated, they can provide subtle stimulation as a type of foreplay. If left in during sex, they can provide an added sensation.
Said to originate in ancient Japan, the term聽Ben Wa balls emerged in the 1970s in sex guides and popular women’s magazines. The name origin of Ben Wa is unknown.聽
With references to them expanding in the 1990s and 2000s, Ben Wa balls聽are聽best known from their appearance in a steamy 50 Shades Darker聽scene (2o12 for the book, 2017 for the film), in which the character Christian asks Ana to secretly 鈥渨ear鈥� them while attending a masquerade charity ball.
Ben Wa balls come in a variety of colors, materials, sizes, and even shapes. Some appear similar to large marbles while others look peanut shaped. Others are attached to string or silk for easy removal, or can vibrate.聽
While they can provide sexual stimulation alone, another common use of Ben Wa balls is for Kegel exercises, which are designed to strengthen pelvic floor muscles, improve bladder control, age-related or post-birth incontinence, and orgasms.
Examples of Ben Wa balls
Who uses Ben Wa balls?
This term gained additional media recognition with the 50 Shades book and movie series and has also appeared in pornography, erotic literature, and sex-toy merchandising.
Note
This is not meant to be a formal definition of Ben Wa balls like most terms we define on Dictionary.com, but is rather an informal word summary that hopefully touches upon the key aspects of the meaning and usage of Ben Wa balls that will help our users expand their word mastery.