S4 Ep182: The TRUE History of the Vibrator
- Author
- Lauren Streicher, MD
- Published
- Thu 07 Aug 2025
- Episode Link
- https://audioboom.com/posts/8750722
I have written many times about how in the 1800s, vibrators were not sexual items that women bought for themselves, but medical devices used by doctors to treat a medical condition then known as hysteria.
The problem is- that’s not true.
And be sure to check out my photo gallery of devices discussed in this episode!
- The popularly accepted history of the vibrator
- Hysteria, and how it was treated in the early 1900s
- Dr. Lieberman’s research
- What medical conditions electric vibrators were used for
- The story continues..the mid-1900s
- The re-launch of the vibrator
- Sneak preview of Dr. Lieberman's upcoming book on GIGOLOS!
Link to my Substack article with pictures of the devices
https://drstreicher.substack.com/p/good-vibrations
https://drstreicher.substack.com/p/good-vibrations
Link to my podcast episode on the current medical use of vibrators and why they work when nothing else does
https://drstreicher.substack.com/p/episode-23-why-vibration-works-so?r=740mq
https://drstreicher.substack.com/p/episode-23-why-vibration-works-so?r=740mq
Hallie Lieberman
https://www.hallielieberman.com/
BUZZ: The Stimulating History of the Sex Toy
https://www.amazon.com/Buzz-Stimulating-History-Sex-Toy/dp/1681775433
Lauren Streicher MD, is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause, and a Senior Research Fellow of The Kinsey Institute, Indiana University. She is a certified menopause practitioner of The Menopause Society.
Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago’s top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine.
LINKS
- Subscribe To Dr. Streicher’s Substack
- Information About the COME AGAIN Podcast
- Dr. Streicher’s CV and additional bio information
- To Find a Menopause Clinician and Other Resources
Glossary Of Medical Terminology
Books by Lauren Streicher, MD
- Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain
- Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat
- Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever
- The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy
Dr. Streicher’s Inside Information podcast is for education and information and is not intended to replace medical advice from your personal healthcare clinician. Dr. Streicher disclaims liability for any medical outcomes that may occur because of applying methods suggested or discussed in this podcast.
