Internet access via computer and smartphone have opened up a lot of opportunity for long-distance lovers to maintain intimacy - and that includes sexual intimacy. This is important, since sexual health is crucial both for the well-being of each partner and for nearly any relationship. From sexting to Snapchat to video chatting, partners can enjoy one another’s bodies from afar. While these forms of long-distance intimacy are great, advances in technology are now making it possible for people to more directly pleasure one another, fostering greater connections between spread-out lovers. Anyone with a partner far away should know about the following sex toys.

Lovense

This his-and-hers toy set is truly a marvel of the modern world. It comes with the Nora - a dildo with a clitoral stimulator for her - and the Max - a masturbation sleeve for him. The toys are controlled via an app, which acts like a remote. The Nora dildo has rotating beads inside it and a vibrating arm for outside, the speeds of which can be controlled; the Max sleeve contains an air pump that contracts to mimic vaginal contractions, and it vibrates as well - speed of contractions and vibration can be controlled.

Partners can control their own toys for solo play, but the true magic of the Lovense set comes from the fact that the toys can interact with one another via the app. That means that, when she cranks up the rotating beads/vibration of her Nora, his Max contracts and vibrates faster, and vice versa. This interactivity of the toys gets long-distance lovers as close to having sex with one another as is likely possible. The set will run from $200-$400, which isn’t anything to sneeze at, but it may be worth it for partners who don’t get to see one another often.

Vibease

This is not so much a his-and-hers toy, as only one stimulating toy is involved; however, the control it gives the man may make it plenty stimulating for him as well. The Vibease is a wearable clitoral vibrator that fits inside a woman’s panties; she can wear it to bed, around the house or even out and about, depending on how daring she is. The man can activate the vibrator and vary its speed using an app from any location. At any time.

Couples who use a toy like the Vibease need to discuss ground rules - when will she wear it? How important is the element of surprise here? Are there any blocks of time that will be off limits on a particular day? Working these questions out will ensure that the experience is highly pleasurable without coming at an inopportune time. This toy will likely run partners between $90 and $120, depending on whether it’s on sale.

Clone a Willy

Sometimes a woman wants a particular penis inside her, and when the man possessing that penis is far away, nothing else might feel as good. Now, she can get pretty damn close. This cloning kit comes with a molding gel to make a detailed mold of the penis and silicone to fill the mold with. The finished product looks like real skin. There are Clone a Pussy kits as well, but they only clone the outside (vulva) and aren’t designed to have sex with. The kits are fairly cheap, running under $40 each.

Getting these and other sex toys involved in a couple’s playtime can lead to more frequent sensual activity - which means greater need for penile care. The skin of the penis is delicate and prone to chafing with frequent use and rough handling. Just because a lover is far away doesn’t mean a man can slack on keeping his manhood in peak condition. Using a penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) is a great idea, since it packs in natural moisturizers (Shea butter and vitamin E) and even contains the neuroprotective ingredient acetyl L-carnitine, which helps preserve nerve sensitivity in the member. So get some great sex toys, engage with a long-distance lover and take the best care of the penis possible.