This article is for educational purposes only. Speak to a healthcare professional if you are seeking personal health advice about penile vibratory stimulation
Penile vibratory stimulation (PVS) is a medical treatment used to help men with spinal cord injuries who have difficulty achieving an erection. It may also be used as a treatment for men who have difficulty achieving an erection due to nerve damage or other conditions
The treatment involves a small, vibrating device that is placed on the penis or a specific amount of time, typically between 20 and 30 minutes, to stimulate the nerves and blood flow. Penile vibratory stimulation is typically used in combination with other treatments, such as medication, and is only recommended for men who have not responded to other forms of treatment.
Viberect penile vibratory stimulation
An example of a penile vibratory stimulation is the Viberect. It is a medical device used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) and other sexual dysfunctions in men. It is a handheld, battery-powered device that uses targeted vibrations to stimulate the nerves in the penis and promote blood flow, which can help to induce and maintain an erection. Clinical trial data is also publicly available.
The Viberect device has two oscillating pads that are placed on either side of the penis, and which can be adjusted to provide targeted stimulation to specific areas of the penis. The device has different modes and intensities of vibration, which can be customized to the individual patient’s needs and preferences.
Viberect is a non-invasive and drug-free treatment option for ED, and is considered safe and effective for use in men of all ages. It is also used in other medical conditions where penile vibratory stimulation is indicated, such as spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease. The device is available by prescription and must be used under medical supervision.
Hot Octopuss PulsePlate technology
Penile vibratory stimulation is not a form of sexual stimulation, but rather a medical treatment used to help improve a man’s sexual function.
However, the technology did help inspire the creation of the UK sex toy company Hot Octopuss and its most popular penis vibrator Pulse, which involves penile vibratory stimulation.
The technology uses an oscillating plate that delivers high-amplitude vibrations to the penis, which can be used for both solo and partner play. The technology is designed to be more effective than traditional penis vibrators or strokers. Since it can be used with a flaccid or erect penis, the Pulse penis vibratory may be particularly beneficial for men with erectile dysfunction or other sexual health issues.
In 2013, Julia Margo co-founded Hot Octopuss with her childhood friend partner Adam Lewis.
In an interview, she told us her co-founder Adam he had been looking for his own penis vibrator “but he couldn’t find anything suitable on the market.”
As they were doing research and development to create a new penis vibrator, Adam and Julia came across medical literature on a technique called penile vibratory stimulation.
“Our interest in this was initially because we wanted to understand what kind of level of amplitude and frequency of vibration should we be aiming for with our motor and the technology that we wanted to develop,” she said.
Then they found papers on research studies with men with spinal cord injuries, in which a Dutch company had created a device for men with spinal cord injuries to harvest their sperm for in-vitro fertilization of a partner.
“They needed to find a way to deliver an involuntary ejaculation to collect the sperm, because these were men who were paralyzed and had no feeling in their genitals,” said Julia.
“So we kind of fell into this space around accessibility and disability. Because once you start to understand how people with injuries, diseases, disabilities, dexterity issues, you know, can struggle with sexual pleasure. You can’t unknow it and that became a real passion project for me to ensure that we were creating products that didn’t just work for anybody who can use any vibrator. But for people who would find it particularly challenging and difficult, but who would benefit from it the most.”
In addition to its products, Hot Octopuss has also been involved in promoting sexual health and wellness through education and advocacy initiatives. For two years in a row, it was the lone sex toy company at Naidex, one of the biggest disability events in the United Kingdom.
