Ben Wa Balls: What They Are & Why You Should Try Them

Ben Wa balls – are they legit? Can they actually transform your sex life? Do they carry real medical upside? Or is it mostly hype without much substance behind it? Here's everything worth knowing about Ben Wa balls.

You may already recognize Ben Wa balls from their cameo in the Fifty Shades books and films. That story helped spark a fresh wave of interest in Kegel balls (there's even a Fifty Shades-branded set you can buy). In truth, though, Ben Wa balls trace back to Japanese men who used them centuries ago — around 500 A.D. — for more pleasurable sex, with some versions even designed to chime. Women have since adopted them for much the same purpose they serve today.

What Do Ben Wa Balls Do?

Ben Wa balls serve two main purposes. First, they're meant to deliver stimulation to the wearer. Second, they can help tone your pubococcygeus muscles — commonly called PC muscles, the same muscles you'd use to stop your urine stream mid-flow [1] — which are also the muscles that contract during climax. Find out where your PC muscles are located.

This can potentially lead to stronger orgasms or help you reach multiple climaxes.

Newer studies on sexual wellness indicate that regular Kegel practice can boost arousal and orgasm quality for postmenopausal women [2].

If you've recently had a baby, your OB likely suggested Kegel exercises, since evidence suggests they can help with urinary incontinence [3], particularly the stress type [4], a condition that can show up even in teens and young women [5]. Dig deeper in this guide to Kegel exercises.

Kegel work can also benefit those dealing with fecal incontinence and vaginismus [6] [7] [8].

A quick note on anal use: balls that lack a retrieval cord aren't safe to use anally. Reach for anal beads instead. Learn how to use anal beads.

Don't expect Ben Wa balls alone to trigger orgasm — but they can absolutely work as a teaser to help you get in the mood. That's especially true if the set you pick happens to press against your G-spot. Read more about G-spot-driven vaginal orgasms.

The added internal pressure might even help you squirt. More on squirting here.

Plus, you'll become more tuned into your genitals and erogenous zones overall — no downside there!

Traditional Designs

Whether Ben Wa balls (or their modern cousins, kegel balls) feel good to you comes down to personal taste and the style you choose. Classic Ben Wa balls are metal and smaller than today's versions, usually ranging from 1/2″ to 2″ across. Some describe them as roughly "pigeon's egg" sized [9].

You'll also find lighter plastic Ben Wa "beads" in a comparable size. Magnetic hematite can be polished into a sphere for internal wear too — this metal runs unusually heavy, with some sets tipping close to 5 ounces.

Glass versions, typically clear or black, showed up more recently and tend to run larger than the classic style. They're still smooth and weighty, which can make them tricky to hold in place, especially early in your practice. Some brands embed colored glass or a flower design at the center for a decorative touch. Egg-shaped glass balls, occasionally ridged, break from the traditional round shape entirely.

Keep in mind that bigger, lighter balls tend to be more beginner-friendly since they're less prone to slipping out than small, heavy ones.

Ben Wa Balls, Modernized

Today's take on Ben Wa balls brings some welcome upgrades in comfort and hygiene. You'll now find vaginal balls made from body-safe silicone, similar to what's used in many vibrators.

Body-Safe Materials

Silicone has no pores, meaning your Ben Wa balls can be fully sanitized. The retrieval cords, too, can be made of softer silicone so the whole unit is sterilizable. Fun Factory's Smart Balls and Lelo's Luna Beads are two well-known options worth considering.

Lelo pioneered the swappable-weight system with Luna Beads, and brands like Jopen and California Exotics now offer similar setups. Interchangeable systems let you begin with a lighter set and add weight later to intensify your pelvic floor training — though most people won't need to go that route.

Some Ben Wa balls are strung together with cotton or a similar cord, which isn't ideal hygienically since that material can't be fully disinfected. The same logic applies to anal beads — silicone is the safer bet. Nylon cords, meanwhile, can weaken over time and snap during removal.

Silicone balls generally run lighter, from about 1 to 3 ounces, and larger, often with texturing that makes them easier to grip going in and coming out. Many also contain free-floating inner balls that jingle inside an outer shell, unlike solid glass versions. As you move through your day or your exercises, you can feel those inner balls shifting.

Manufacturers claim this triggers involuntary pelvic floor contractions, passively strengthening the muscles. This sensation can make the experience more enjoyable and give you more incentive to keep up your routine than traditional Ben Wa balls, which you might barely notice once inserted.

Different Sizes and Shapes

Getting the size right matters for both comfort and enjoyment. Fun Factory offers a single Smart Ball, and single-ball designs — from brands like Vedo and Jopen, or as a set from Lovelife — are worth considering if a pair feels uncomfortable or pinches.

There are also single egg-shaped options in glass, stone, or silicone. The tapered shape suits some women better. Curious how strong your PC muscles really are? Minna Life makes a smart kegel exerciser that measures and tracks your progress.

If you want flexibility in weight and size, systems like Lelo's Luna Beads or JeJoue's Ami — which ships with three exerciser options — mean you're not locked into one size forever. As your muscles strengthen, you can scale up for a tougher workout.

Vibration and Beyond

Naturally, manufacturers have also worked vibration into Ben Wa ball designs. Maia, for instance, makes a vibrating dual-ball toy for internal wear, and several egg-shaped toys do the same. Jopen has its own version too. Because these are insertable, their controls tend to be unique — some are remote-controlled (like Lelo's Hula Beads or CalExotic's Inspire), some have an onboard button, and some even respond to your own muscle contractions to trigger vibration.

Inflatable designs have entered the Kegel-exerciser space as well. The Intensity works nothing like a standard Ben Wa ball — you insert it, inflate it, then perform your exercises.

Vibrance, another Kegel exerciser, has actually been studied clinically and shown to help with urinary stress incontinence [10].

Smart Kegel Toys

Today's smart Kegel devices barely resemble the original Ben Wa balls. Most vibrate and connect via Bluetooth, letting you pair them with an app to guide your workout with a bit of tech assistance. Here's a sampling of what's out there — expect more to join the market over time.

• We-Vibe Bloom ships with two ball sets, vibrates, and is fully waterproof.
• Lovelife Krush pairs with an app like most of the brand's toys and reads your muscle movement.
• Elvie doesn't look anything like a classic Ben Wa ball — it resembles a couple's vibrator — but it measures your PC muscle strength.
• Minn kGoal inserts and inflates. Your muscles squeeze against it, and sensors track your progress through simple in-app games.
• G-balls work similarly to the toys above, with app-guided exercises and progress tracking, in a shape close to JeJoue's Ami.

With smart Kegel toys, you won't be left wondering "Am I doing this correctly?" — you can see and feel the progress. Basic Ben Wa balls can run under $20, while smart versions typically start above $100.

Getting Started with Ben Wa Balls

Wash any new toy with soap and water before first use. Like most insertables, Ben Wa balls go in more smoothly with lube. If yours are silicone and you'd like to use a silicone-based lube, test a small amount first — rub it vigorously for about 10 minutes and check for any breakdown of the material. If you notice deterioration, stick to water-based lube instead.

Most lubes will work fine, though a thicker formula tends to be less messy. Here's how to pick the right lube.

Some prefer lying down for insertion, but squatting might feel easier for you. If you're using a dual-ball set, insert them one at a time. Keep breathing steadily — holding your breath tenses your muscles and makes insertion harder. Stay relaxed and breathe through your Kegel routine [11] [12].

Dual balls may shift or "fold" once inside — that's normal. Let them settle wherever feels comfortable, just make sure they sit far enough in to rest behind your pubic bone.

If dual balls feel awkward, try a single ball or a longer, more elongated shape instead.

You might end up loving how Ben Wa balls feel once inserted — but there's no promise of that. Keep your expectations grounded; even without an obvious pleasure payoff, you're still getting a legitimate pelvic floor workout.

By the way, don't skip this piece on hands-free orgasms.

Training Your PC Muscles

So what does an actual workout look like? Start standing. Gravity will constantly tug the balls downward once inserted — squatting makes this even more pronounced — so your muscles have to actively hold them in place. Any Kegel move you'd normally do without equipment can be adapted with a ball or two inserted. Try these to get going:

• Push your hips forward while tightening your abs and glutes, then release as you rock your hips back. Repeat this eight times.
• Squeeze your kegel muscles around the balls sharply for three seconds, keeping your glutes still throughout. Relax for three seconds. Repeat ten times.
• Practice four separate Kegel sessions a day, each with three contractions held for two breaths, with two breaths of rest between them [13]. This particular four-times-daily routine was designed for men, but women can benefit from it too.
• Sit cross-legged. Contract your PC muscles through fifteen short inhales, then release slowly while breathing out.
• Squeeze around the balls as though trying to draw them upward inside you. Hold for up to ten seconds.
• Gently tug the retrieval cord with a finger for three to five seconds while your PC muscles keep the balls in place.
• With dual balls, try squeezing as you pull the first one partway out, then drawing it back in.
• Some couples enjoy incorporating Ben Wa balls into sex itself, if both partners are into it [14].

You can fit a lot of this into everyday moments — running errands, doing chores, watching television. It might not feel like an intense workout, but your partner will likely notice the difference during sex. Check out our guide to tightening your vagina.

Certain activities amp up the sensation considerably — wearing the balls while jogging, sitting in a rocking chair, or during any vigorous movement. You can even press a wand massager against a ball or its cord to create vibration, which feels especially interesting with the jingling inner-ball styles.

Some people keep Ben Wa balls in for hours; that's a personal call. You might wear them just long enough for a focused session, or throughout a grocery run or a cleaning spree. If discomfort sets in, take them out.

When you're finished, use your PC muscles along with the cord to ease them out, then wash them.

Kegel balls without a string can be harder to remove. Women who've had a hysterectomy may want to steer clear of this style in particular. Squatting and bearing down with your muscles can help expel them.

Still unsure if Ben Wa balls are your thing? Try inserting a bullet or egg vibrator first as a rough stand-in for the vibrating varieties. It's not identical, but it'll give you a sense of what to expect.

You may feel some difference within a few weeks, though noticeable pelvic floor changes can take anywhere from 3 to 6+ weeks [16] [17] [18].

Plenty of women find real pleasure in Ben Wa balls, and beyond that, the added elasticity in your PC muscles comes with genuine health payoffs.

Resources

Sara Dobie Bauer shares that Ben Wa balls weren't quite as thrilling as she'd hoped in this piece on SheKnows.

This Forbes article covers how sex toys entered the mainstream, referencing Ben Wa balls' origins around 500 A.D.

Lovense offers a rundown comparing popular Kegel balls along with usage tips.

Dr. Sherry, a medical doctor, covers ben wa balls on her blog.

You'll also find sizing recommendations over at Kegels.com.

LoveHoney put together this video overview of Kegel balls as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can Ben Wa balls get lost inside you?

A: Most women's anatomy includes a cervix — the narrow opening between the vagina and uterus — which blocks anything from passing into the uterus while still allowing menstrual blood out. So even if a Ben Wa ball shifts somewhere you can't immediately reach, it isn't going anywhere it shouldn't. Squatting and bearing down usually pushes it back within reach.

That said, choosing a newer style with a retrieval cord sidesteps this worry entirely.

Q: What material is best for Ben Wa balls?

A: You've got options. For a more intense workout, go heavier — metal or stone. Glass sits in the middle weight-wise, while plastic and silicone are the lightest choices. All of these are nonporous, so bacteria buildup isn't a concern. Just watch out for cord material — plain string is porous and harder to keep clean.

Q: Does size actually matter?

A: Just like penis size matters in some contexts, Ben Wa ball size matters too — though there's no universal "right" size. More experienced users might prefer smaller balls for a tougher muscle challenge, while beginners often do better starting larger.

You may need to experiment with a few shapes and sizes before landing on your favorite. Your own anatomy might make larger balls uncomfortable, or you might simply prefer a single ball or a more ergonomic shape over the classic sphere. When in doubt, start with an inexpensive set while you figure out your preferences.

Q: Are smart toys worth it for Kegel training?

A: They come with a few real perks:

• Guided exercise routines
• Vibration in many models, adding pleasure and feedback
• Progress tracking over time
• A way to measure muscle strength without needing a perineometer — the clinical device Arnold Kegel originally invented for this purpose [19]

The tradeoffs are cost — smart and vibrating toys run pricier than basic balls — plus the need for a compatible smartphone and regular charging.

Q: Do Ben Wa balls actually feel incredible?

A: You might feel a little let down if you expect fireworks right away. For some, the novelty and taboo factor alone make it worthwhile — simply wearing them can help build arousal (see: How to Get Horny).

Others notice the inner jingling but find it underwhelming, some don't feel anything at all, and a few find the sensation ranges from odd to uncomfortable.

Go in with realistic expectations the first time you try them.

Q: What happens if they fall out?

A: It can happen occasionally. Test them at home before wearing them out in public. Bigger, lighter balls are less likely to slip, and proper insertion depth helps keep them secure.

Q: Are Ben Wa balls actually necessary for Kegels?

A: Not at all — but they add a fun, useful dimension and extra pleasure to the practice.

Q: My Ben Wa balls sound noisy to me. Can other people hear them?

A: If you're hyperaware of the inner balls moving, it can feel louder than it actually is to anyone else. You might catch faint sounds if you're listening closely, and that self-consciousness is normal — but rest assured, nobody nearby is going to hear them unless their ear is pressed right up against you.

September 1, 2020