Solving “Female Sexual Dysfunction” with High Tech Intimacy

FSD is More Than Lack of Desire and It Plays Hell on Women’s Lives.

“Sexual Dysfunction.” What does that mean? For men, most people think it refers to difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection. For women, the common notion is that the term refers to low or no libido. All of sexuality and sexual response is nuanced, and the causes and symptoms of what is called Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) are likewise varied. Depending on what condition a woman is struggling with, gaining or regaining sexual function requires more than a lotion or pill aimed at stimulating desire.

According to the website Medical Technology, millions of women worldwide contend with FSD. This includes psychological, hormonal, medical, and relationship issues. Vulvodynia, vaginismus, and vaginal floor weakness are among the medical conditions that cause intense pain and make sexual contact far from appealing.

Vulvodynia results in chronic pain of the vulva for at least three months and without obvious cause. Sleep, concentration, sex, and the ability to sit for extended periods can all be influenced by burning, stinging, irritation, throbbing, swelling, and soreness. There is not yet a cure for vulvodynia, but it can be addressed by medication, physical therapy, lifestyle changes, biofeedback, surgery, and pelvic floor exercises.

Vaginismus may sound like a feature given that it consists of involuntary muscle spasms that tighten the vaginal canal, but they do it so much that penetration is difficult, as well as painful. The good news is that with treatment, the chance of overcoming it is high. That consists of behavioral therapy and progressive vaginal dilation. Women who have had endometriosis, an episiotomy, a history of sexual assault, or a weakened pelvic floor are at increased risk of presenting with symptoms.

Until 2000, there had been few U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medical tools approved for this purpose. The decades-old practice of using clitoral vibrators, vaginal dilators, intra-vaginal probes, and pelvic floor muscle function measuring biofeedback was, instead, used along with medication and therapy to relieve symptoms.

At the change of the century, the FDA finally added something to the list of options. The U.S. company NuGyn allowed the clinical use of Eros. Positioned over the clitoris to generate a vacuum, the hand-held device increases genital sensitivity, as well as vaginal lubrication, the chance of orgasm, and general sexual enjoyment.

Shelly Varod, was the lead author of a 2023 review of research on the effectiveness of various technological and smart devices used in the treatment of sexual dysfunction. Varod, a certified sexual therapist, psycho-sexologist, lecturer, and coordinator of the Tel Aviv University sexuality program spoke highly about two smart devices, the Lioness Vibrator 2.0 and the Elvie Trainer.

The former was created by The Lioness, a U.S. start-up that studied data from more than 30,000 participant-identified orgasms to make what it claims is the first and only smart vibrator that uses targeted sensors and biofeedback via Bluetooth mobile app. The device allows the user to review and learn from their body’s sexual reactions and sensations thanks to its ability to recognize distinct orgasm patterns.

“Devices with smart biofeedback are revolutionary in this context,” Varod explained. “They allow women to visually understand their sexual responses through graphs, clearly indicating whether they experienced an orgasm.” These bells and whistles can be reassuring to women who aren’t sure if what they feel can rightly be called an orgasm.

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By comparison, the Elvie Trainer from UK-based Chiaro Technology Ltd. focuses on pelvic floor health. Previously, the information provided by this vaginally inserted egg-shaped medical-grade silicone smart device could only be accessed within a therapeutic environment. Thanks to this mobile app-paired gadget, pelvic floor strength and resting muscle tone can be monitored with real-time biofeedback at home. Given that healthy vaginal, bladder, and rectum health rely upon the pelvic floor, this is a serious breakthrough. kGoal and Classic are other U.S.-based products now available that work similarly.

Sally Turner, the author of a device review that appeared on Medical Technology in December 2023, cites other available high-tech options with uncertain success rates but promising futures. These include low-level shockwave therapy (LLSWT) and laser vaginal rejuvenation. Both technologies are only available in private clinics.

Laser vaginal rejuvenation treats menopausal vaginal atrophy and is believed to boost collagen production and blood flow, both of which improve lubrication and elasticity. Joylux, Inc., a U.S. health technology company has released the vSculpt, which blends light therapy, therapeutic vibration, and mild heat. By comparison, LLSWT promotes tissue regeneration and blood vessel stimulation with the use of low-intensity acoustic waves on the clitoris and within the vagina. This increases the flow of blood to the genitals. Although evidence about effectiveness is still being collected, U.S. manufacturer Medispec has developed Lilycare, while Femiwave offers a similar product.

Obviously, additional research on the topic of Female Sexual Dysfunction needs to continue and, in fact, be increased. To do this, Varod emphasized that the industry needs to listen to what women want and need, as well as what they find easy to use and realistically accessible.

“In my professional experience,” she said, “combining medical and sex therapy is crucial in treating women’s sexual dysfunction. Before recommending any device, it’s essential to explore the roots of the sexual dysfunction in therapy, helping to understand any psychological, physical, or combined factors at play.”