Sex Toys News Round Up August 2026

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With the arrival of September and all the autumnal joys it brings, let’s look back at some of the things that happened in the sex toy industry world this past August.

The Stimulate Sexual Wellness Show

Forget the barbecue, the most exciting thing that happened in Nashville last month was the Stimulate Sexual Wellness Show. As befits the name, the show not only included top brands, but also doctors and coaches. Not to mention quite an impressive goodie bag. The FOMO is real!

A big focus this year was menopause and perimenopause, and the importance of having orgasms throughout our lives. The seminars also focused a lot on the sexual struggles men face as they get older. While women’s issues like painful sex and vaginal dryness are treated with respect, erectile dysfunction is not always taken as seriously, especially since the adult industry is very erection-centric and men often feel shame at not being able to get an erection. And with Boomers being the generation that’s the least comfortable talking about intimacy with their partners, it’s important to raise awareness for these issues.

Another interesting topic was the normalization of vanilla sex, which also goes along nicely with the previous section of this article about the need to talk about sex with your partners. Sorry, but you’re not an intrinsically cooler or more interesting person if you’re into BDSM, so please go ahead and set those boundaries with your partner before you do something that makes you feel uncomfortable. Just because it happens a lot in porn doesn’t mean it needs to happen in your bedroom.

The show also included quite a few sex toy exhibits, of course. From a new Lovense toy to supplements that can boost semen volume and taste, there was a lot to look at! The XLR8 Bella, a favorite of mine, was prominently featured alongside other offerings from Nu Sensuelle. There was also an awards section, with categories that ranged from Podcast Excellence to Mature Intimate Care. Nu Sensuelle won their Emerging Leader award, making me very excited to try more of their products in the future!

Let’s Talk About Sex, Baby

I always love reading new surveys about people’s attitudes towards sex, so it should come as no surprise that I have a new one to talk to you about. And talking is the main topic here, namely how comfortable different people are with talking about sex. According to this survey from Adam & Eve, the younger generations are far more comfortable discussing their sexual preferences and boundaries with their partners than previous generations. 89% of Gen Z respondents say they’re comfortable or very comfortable with these types of discussions, compared to 79% of Boomers. Overall, 85% of people are basically comfortable talking about boundaries and preferences with a partner.

While that’s good news, only about 60% of Gen Z said they were very comfortable having those discussions. The numbers are even worse for older people, with only 37% of Boomers being very comfortable talking about boundaries and preferences. Since communication is a huge part of intimacy, it’s a little disheartening that so many people don’t feel very comfortable having those conversations.

But the thing is, I get it. Talking about these things can sometimes feel more awkward than doing the acts themselves. And past experiences can definitely play a role. Let’s say you suggested something to a partner and they made it clear they weren’t into that. Good for them for setting a boundary, but if you felt some judgment in their tone (real or imagined), you might be a lot less willing to express that desire to a different partner down the line. And have I absolutely stayed quiet about boundaries, either to seem cool or because I just didn’t have the words for what I did or didn’t want? Yeah, yeah, I have.

While the rise in sex positivity is great, I think that a rise in sexual knowledge (of ourselves and how to communicate with our partners) is even more important. I hope that as time goes by, the numbers will show that more and more people of all ages are very comfortable talking about intimate activities.

Zumio Has Closed Down

A while ago, I reviewed a small but mighty toy from Zumio. Unfortunately, it looks like Zumio has since gone out of business. While it’s a shame when any company closes its doors, I was especially sad to hear about Zumio since their vibes were quite unique. While they wouldn’t be to everyone’s taste, the level of pinpoint precision they offered was unlike anything I’ve tried before or since, and their electric toothbrush-esque design made their toys uniquely travel-friendly and discreet. Where there are alternatives out there, of course, people online are upset that these special toys are no longer available. And of course, there’s not exactly a thriving secondhand market for sex toys.

I admit I’m not all that surprised, since when I checked their website for my review, I noticed that most of their items were not in stock. I suppose the main takeaway is that if there’s a product you want and the company’s website shows most items as being unavailable and/or is having a sale, you should probably go ahead and get the toy you want. Who knows how much longer it’ll be around for.

New Products

I would never talk about one company going out of business without telling you about some new offerings in the sex toy world. This month, the big star is a new penis massager, the Lovense Gush 2 Motion. First of all…terrible name. I can’t not interpret the 2 as “to”, but I’m pretty sure motion comes before gushing. Though Motion 2 Gush doesn’t sound much better.

Regardless of its name, it’s an upgrade to their Gush 2. The biggest difference is that the Gush 2 Motion can sync with nearly any other Lovense toy. In terms of sensation, it also has glans-targeting oscillation. Since it can sync with other devices via the app, it’s perfect for long-distance play for couples (both straight and LGBTQ+). So, if you want a new level of intimacy with your partner and to be fully in sync with them, this could be one to check out. Just make sure to talk about your boundaries and preferences first (yes, that includes you, Boomers).

Happy vibing!

Becky

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Becky V

Becky V is a Los Angeles native who loves indie bookstores, Broadway musicals, and a good cup of tea. She is passionate about sexual wellness and wants to make the world a better place one orgasm at a time!