Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Article
  • Published:

The sextech industry and innovative devices for treating sexual dysfunction

International Journal of Impotence Research (2023)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Since the digital revolution, there has been a notable increase in the use and popularity of sex toys and innovative sexual devices, which can be attributed to advancements in technology. The sex toys industry strives to improve sexual experience, pleasure and sexual health, and to address sexual dysfunction through devices and technology. With the growth of this industry, new products that are considered “smart sexual devices” have gradually entered the market. Smart sexual devices feature wireless connectivity to a smartphone application that allows the user to control the device’s features and provide personal or sexual data about their sexual experiences. Other smart devices have sensors and are able to collect physical data during usage. With the aid of this data, individuals may be able to understand their sexual behavior and arousal better, resulting in improved sexual experience or the overcoming of sexual dysfunction. The present article aims to explore the potential applications of technology-based devices, and smart sexual devices, in the treatment of male sexual dysfunctions, including premature ejaculation (PE), and delayed ejaculation (DE), as well as female sexual dysfunction (FSD), such as sexual arousal disorder and female orgasmic disorder. Furthermore, we examine the advantages and disadvantages of these devices. Given the limited literature available on this subject and the absence of controlled studies, we conduct a narrative review of the existing scientific research on technological and smart sexual devices.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

All the journal articles used for this paper were accessed through the online library of Tel Aviv University, following the regulations and guidelines set by the university. Some of the product-related data used in this study is available on the official website and other websites representing these products. These data are freely accessible to anyone.

References

  1. Meston CM, Buss DM. Why humans have sex. Arch Sex Behav. 2007;36:477–507. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-007-9175-2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Wyverkens E, Dewitte M, Deschepper E, Corneillie J, Van der Bracht L, Van Regenmortel D, et al. YSEX? A replication study in different age groups. J Sex Med. 2018;15:492–501. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2018.02.012.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Rosenberger JG, Schick V, Herbenick D, Novak DS, Reece M. Sex toy use by gay and bisexual men in the United States. Arch Sex Behav. 2011;41:449–58. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-010-9716-y.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Piha S, Hurmerinta L, Järvinen E, Räikkönen J, Sandberg B. Escaping into sexual play: a consumer experience perspective. Leis Sci. 2020;42:289–305. https://doi.org/10.1080/01490400.2020.1712279.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Rubin ES, Deshpande NA, Vasquez PJ, Kellogg Spadt S. A clinical reference guide on sexual devices for obstetrician–gynecologists. Obstet Gynecol. 2019;133:1259–68. https://doi.org/10.1097/aog.0000000000003262.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Granville JM. Therapeutics of the nervous system. J Nerv Ment Dis. 1883;10:171–3. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005053-188301000-00052.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Lieberman H. Selling sex toys: marketing and the meaning of vibrators in early twentieth-century America. Enterp Soc. 2016;17:393–433. https://doi.org/10.1017/eso.2015.97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Mayr C. Symbolic vibration: a meaning-based framework for the study of vibrator consumption. J Consum Cult. 2020;22:164–82. https://doi.org/10.1177/1469540520926233.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Fisher C, Herbenick D, Reece M, Dodge B, Satinsky S, Fischtein D. Exploring sexuality education opportunities at in-home sex-toy parties in the United States. Sex Educ. 2010;10:131–44. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681811003666341.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Cooper A. Sexuality and the internet: surfing into the New Millennium. Cyberpsychol Behav. 1998;1:187–8. https://doi.org/10.1037/e705222011-004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Herbenick D, Reece M, Sanders S, Dodge B, Ghassemi A, Fortenberry JD. Prevalence and characteristics of vibrator use by women in the United States: results from a Nationally Representative Study. J Sex Med. 2009;6:1857–66. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01318.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Reece M, Herbenick D, Sanders SA, Dodge B, Ghassemi A, Fortenberry JD. Prevalence and characteristics of vibrator use by men in the United States. J Sex Med. 2009;6:1867–74. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01290.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Döring N, Poeschl S. Experiences with diverse sex toys among German heterosexual adults: findings from a National Online Survey. J Sex Res. 2019;57:885–96. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2019.1578329.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Rullo JE, Lorenz T, Ziegelmann MJ, Meihofer L, Herbenick D, Faubion SS. Genital vibration for sexual function and enhancement: a review of evidence. Sex Relatsh Ther. 2018;33:263–74. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681994.2017.1419557.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Flore J, Pienaar K. Data-driven intimacy: emerging technologies in the (re)making of sexual subjects and ‘healthy’ sexuality. Health Sociol Rev. 2020;29:279–93. https://doi.org/10.1080/14461242.2020.1803101.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Gallop C. What is sextech and why is everyone ignoring it? The Leading C-Suite Community Driving Innovation & Change. 2015. Accessed 5 Mar 2023. https://hottopics.ht/14192/what-is-sextech-and-why-is-everyone-ignoring-it/.

  17. Gesselman AN, Kaufman EM, Marcotte AS, Reynolds TA, Garcia JR. Engagement with emerging forms of Sextech: demographic correlates from a national sample of adults in the United States. J Sex Res. 2022:1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2021.2007521.

  18. Petruzzi D. Size of the sexual wellness market worldwide, 2017-2023. Statista. 2023. https://www.statista.com/statistics/428953/global-sexual-wellness-market-size/.

  19. Eleuteri S, Alessi F, Petruccelli F, Saladino V. The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals’ and couples’ sexuality. Front Psychol. 2022;12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.798260.

  20. Coombe J, Kong F, Bittleston H, Williams H, Tomnay J, Vaisey A, et al. Love during lockdown: Findings from an online survey examining the impact of covid-19 on the sexual practices of people living in Australia. Sex Transm Infect. 2021;97:357–62. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.08.10.20171348.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Lehmiller JJ, Garcia JR, Gesselman AN, Mark KP. Less sex, but more sexual diversity: changes in sexual behavior during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Leis Sci. 2020;43:295–304. https://doi.org/10.1080/01490400.2020.1774016.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Wynn M, Tillotson K, Kao R, Calderon A, Murillo A, Camargo J, et al. Sexual intimacy in the age of smart devices. IoT S and P 2017-Proceedings of the 2017 Workshop on Internet of Things Security and Privacy, 2017:25–30. https://doi.org/10.1145/3139937.3139942.

  23. Kingsberg SA, Althof S, Simon JA, Bradford A, Bitzer J, Carvalho J, et al. Female sexual dysfunction—medical and psychological treatments, committee 14. J Sex Med. 2017;14:1463–91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.05.018.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Food and Drug Administration. FDA. External penile rigidity devices—Class II: special controls guidance document for industry and FDA staff. 2004. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf14/K142304.pdf.

  25. Reflexonic viberect-X3 user manual PDF download. ManualsLib. 2018. https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1479683/Reflexonic-Viberect-X3.html.

  26. Stein MJ, Lin H, Wang R. New advances in erectile technology. Therapeutic Adv Urol. 2013;6:15–24. https://doi.org/10.1177/1756287213505670.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Castle SM, Jenkins LC, Ibrahim E, Aballa TC, Lynne CM, Brackett NL. Safety and efficacy of a new device for inducing ejaculation in men with spinal cord injuries. Spinal Cord. 2014;52:1–3. https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.2014.110.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Home: Eros therapy. Eros therapy. 2023. https://www.eros-therapy.com/.

  29. CFR—Code of Federal Regulations Title 21. accessdata.fda.gov. 2023. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=884.5970.

  30. Billups KL, Berman L, Berman J, Metz ME, Glennon ME, Goldstein I. A new non-pharmacological vacuum therapy for female sexual dysfunction. J Sex Marital Ther. 2001;27:435–41. https://doi.org/10.1080/713846826. Accessed 16 Mar 2023.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Wilson SK, Delk JR 2nd, Billups KL. Treating symptoms of female sexual arousal disorder with the Eros-Clitoral Therapy Device. J Gend Specif Med. 2001;4:54–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Schroder M, Mell LK, Hurteau JA, Collins YC, Rotmensch J, Waggoner SE, et al. Clitoral therapy device for treatment of sexual dysfunction in irradiated cervical cancer patients. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2005;61:1078–86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2004.07.728.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Jannini EA, Limoncin E, Ciocca G, Buehler S, Krychman M. Ethical aspects of sexual medicine. Internet, vibrators, and other sex aids: Toys or therapeutic instruments? J Sex Med. 2012;9:2994–3001. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsm.12018.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Maines R. Socially camouflaged technologies: the case of the electromechanical vibrator. IEEE Technol Soc Mag. 1989;8:3–11. https://doi.org/10.1109/44.31556.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Lieberman H, Schatzberg E. A failure of academic quality control: the technology of orgasm. J Posit Sex. 2018;4:24–47. https://doi.org/10.51681/1.421.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. White Cross Electric vibrator—1913a: Free download, borrow, and streaming. Internet Archive. 1970. https://archive.org/details/WhiteCrossElectricVibrator1913A.

  37. Döring N, Pöschl S. Sex toys, sex dolls, sex robots: our under-researched bed-fellows. Sexologies. 2018;27:e51–e55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sexol.2018.05.009.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Lupton D. Quantified sex: a critical analysis of sexual and reproductive self-tracking using apps. Cult Health Sex. 2014;17:440–53. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2014.920528.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Saunders R. Sex tracking apps and sexual self-care. New Media Soc. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1177/14614448221079631.

  40. Lioness. The lioness vibrator 2.0. Lioness. 2023. https://lioness.io/products/the-lioness-vibrator.

  41. Elvie trainer: Smart kegel exerciser and App. Elvie. 2023. https://www.elvie.com/en-us/shop/elvie-trainer.

  42. Sexual Dysfunctions. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5-TR. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association Publishing; 2022. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787.x13_Sexual_Dysfunctions.

  43. Miranda EP, Taniguchi H, Cao DL, Hald GM, Jannini EA, Mulhall JP. Application of sex aids in men with sexual dysfunction: a review. J Sex Med. 2019;16:767–80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.03.265.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  44. Semans J. Premature ejaculation. South Med J. 1956;49:353–7. https://doi.org/10.1097/00007611-195604000-00008.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Rodríguez Martínez JE, Picazo Aroca JA, Marzo Campos JC, Piqueras Rodríguez JA. 141 A randomized controlled trial of a new cognitive behavioral treatment in premature ejaculation: Sphincter control training with masturbation aid device. J Sex Med. 2018;15:4–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2018.04.143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Flip Zero EV (electronic vibration). TENGA STORE USA. 2023. https://usstore.tenga.co/products/tfz-101.

  47. MYHIXEL. MYHIXEL ® official site: MEN climax control method. MYHIXEL. 2022. https://myhixel.com/?utm_campaign=brand_OTHERCOUNTRIES_cpc&gclid=Cj0KCQiApb2bBhDYARIsAChHC9tJu6W529FYRmHzT_bEQ5NMqNShX83C7wkQlNzCbFXgywknipJHMzwaAlSTEALw_wcB.

  48. Rodriguez Martinez JE, Marzo Campos JC, Piqueras Rodriguez JA. 057 evaluation of a new cognitive-behavioral treatment for premature ejaculation using a masturbation aid device: a case series. J Sex Med. 2019;16:530. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.01.068.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Rodriguez JE, García A, Picazo JA. 002 new cognitive behavioral treatment for delayed ejaculation using a masturbation aid device and mobile app: a case study. J Sex Med. 2021;18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2021.01.072.

  50. Sng CM, Wee LM, Tang KC, Lee KC, Wu QH, Yeo JC, et al. Wearable soft microtube sensors for quantitative home-based erectile Dysfunction Monitoring. Sensors. 2022;22:3–11. https://doi.org/10.3390/s22239344.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Newswire MV- PR. Nuelle™ partners with Indiegogo Fundraising Platform to launch Fiera® Arouser for her™. Multivu. 2023. https://www.multivu.com/players/English/7750851-nuelle-indiegogo-fiera-arouser-for-her/.

  52. Goldstein S, Goldstein I, Millheiser L. 024 the impact of Fiera™, a women’s sexual health consumer product, on premenopausal genital engorgement as measured by thermography: a proof of concept study. J Sex Med. 2016;13:S249–S250. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2016.04.024.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Czyrnyj CS, Bérubé MÈ, Brooks K, Varette K, McLean L. Reliability and validity of a mobile home pelvic floor muscle trainer: the elvie trainer. Neurourol Urodyn. 2020;39:1717–31. https://doi.org/10.1002/nau.24439.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Pfaus J, Hartmann D, Wood E, Wang J, Klinger E. Women’s orgasms determined by autodetection of pelvic floor muscle contractions using the lioness “smart” vibrator. J Sex Med. 2022;19:S2–S3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2022.05.011.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Marcus BS. Changes in a woman’s sexual experience and expectations following the introduction of Electric Vibrator Assistance. J Sex Med. 2011;8:3398–406. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.02132.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Wood J, Crann S, Cunningham S, Money D, O’Doherty K. A cross-sectional survey of sex toy use, characteristics of sex toy use hygiene behaviours, and Vulvovaginal Health Outcomes in Canada. Can J Hum Sex. 2017;26:196–204. https://doi.org/10.3138/cjhs.2017-0016.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Sundén J. Play, secrecy and consent: theorizing privacy breaches and sensitive data in the world of networked sex toys. Sexualities. 2020:136346072095757. https://doi.org/10.1177/1363460720957578.

  58. State of California Department of Justice Office of the Attorney General. California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). State of California—Department of Justice—Office of the Attorney General. 2023. https://oag.ca.gov/privacy/ccpa.

  59. Information Commessioner’s Office. Guide to data protection. ICO. 2023. https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-data-protection/.

  60. Gaudette E. Sex toy company caught recording user orgasms. Newsweek. 2017. http://www.newsweek.com/sex-toys-we-vibe-recording-708761.

  61. Case No. 1:16-Cv-8655., 1 (In the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division 2016). 2023. https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3106576-NP-v-Standard-Innovation-Complaint.htm.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sexual Rehabilitation Clinic, Reuth TLV Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel

    Shelly Varod & Rafi J. Heruti

  2. School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

    Rafi J. Heruti

Authors
  1. Shelly Varod
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Rafi J. Heruti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

The narrative review was collaboratively written by two authors: SV and RJH. SV contributed to the conceptualization of the narrative review, including the selection of relevant materials, and making decisions about which studies to include or exclude. SV was responsible for writing the article, creating its structure, and incorporating revisions based on editor feedback. RJH assisted in conceptualizing the articles and played a key role in finding relevant research materials. RJH contributed to the critical analysis of the literature by evaluating and providing interpretations and explanations of the medical/scientific research used in the review. Additionally, RJH conducted a thorough review and provide valuable comments to enhance the quality and accuracy of the paper.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shelly Varod.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Varod, S., Heruti, R.J. The sextech industry and innovative devices for treating sexual dysfunction. Int J Impot Res (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-023-00731-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-023-00731-3

This article is cited by

Search

Advanced search

Quick links