Can Sex Toys help Erectile Dysfunction?
Read about the author Samantha Evans
Many sex toys are not designed to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). However, some of them offer ways in which people can experience sexual pleasure, such as through vibratory stimulation. Other products enable you to sustain an erection suitable for coital sex, or change the way your erection feels.
ED should not be ignored, and you should seek medical advice from your GP if you think you may have symptoms of ED. It can be a sign of a more serious problem, such as heart disease or diabetes.
Once the cause of ED has been established, either as a physical problem, such as heart disease, or as a psychological problem as a result of stress, being overweight, overconsumption of alcohol or lack of exercise, you can experiment with sex toys to help overcome symptoms of ED.
Sex toys will not treat the cause of ED, but can help you experience sexual pleasure and arousal.
Unlike medication, sex toys do not have side effects when used correctly and can be fun. They are even better when incorporated into sex play with a partner. There are many sex toys you can share with a partner too.
Below are different types of sex toys which can benefit people with ED and improve sexual health and increase sexual pleasure.
I can’t get an erection at all
Penile Prostheses and Strap ons
If you experience difficulty in getting an erection and want penetrative sex, you can always strap on a prosthesis over your penis. Some can be attached by straps around the waist and tops of thighs, and others are hollow dildos that slip over the penis and attach by a strap that extends around the scrotum.
A “strap-on dildo” or dildo harness is a product that secures a dildo against your body, so you can use it without holding on to it. It allows you to use whatever size dildo you wish. Although you may need some imagination to use these products, couples can still enjoy intense sexual pleasure even when having an erection is not possible.
I have decreased sensation in my penis
Vibrators
These may seem to be the preserve of those with a vulva and vagina, but there are many vibrators designed to be used with a penis that can help ED. Also many toys are gender-neutral so you can use your partner’s toys too. Often one of the symptoms can be decreased sensation as a result of the ageing process, illness, disease, injury or side effects of medication. The powerful vibrations can offer different sexual sensations that you cannot experience through manual masturbation.
Some customers have had success with a simple bullet vibrator used to stimulate the shaft and head of the penis.
Pulse Solo Essential
The Pulse Solo Essential is a uniquely designed sex toy that uses a piston-type mechanism that causes its Pulse Plate to move up and down. This technique is known as Penile Vibratory Stimulation.
The design of the Pulse enables the user to enjoy an orgasm without the need for an erect penis and also allows for hands-free stimulation, ideal for those with physical disabilities.
The ergonomically designed Pulse Solo Essential firmly holds the penis within its wings, the oscillating plates massaging the frenulum to create mind-blowing sexual sensations. When used with lubrication, the Pulse becomes the world’s most innovative male masturbator, while without, it can be used statically for a unique, prolonged orgasm.
This fantastic male vibrator is rechargeable and has easy to use + and – controls.
The Pulse III Duo is a couples’ vibrator that encourages sexual intimacy between men suffering from ED and their female partner. Like the Solo, the Pulse III Duo uses oscillating plates to stimulate the flaccid or erect penis, but the Duo also has a vibrating under plate to stimulate the clitoris. This is great for couples who can no longer enjoy penetrative sex but are looking to maintain their sex life.
Rocks-Off Rush
Rush is a powerful palm sized silicone stroker with strong vibration and rumbling pulsations. The tactile sensory textured silicone gives you the power and personal fit to decide your own style of stimulation.
Whether you let Rush take the lead to entice you into an effortless orgasm or you decide to lube up, take a firm hold and stroke yourself to ultimate satisfaction, it’s really all about you! Being waterproof, Rush is perfect for a relaxing soak in the bath, wake up fun in the shower and is easy to clean.
Fun Factory MANTA
The Fun Factory MANTA is designed to be the perfect fit for partner sex as well as solo play, sliding between your bodies and turning your penis into a vibrator. Using it on a flaccid penis can help to stimulate an erection and feel pleasurable.
With six speeds and six vibration patterns, the flexible wings and ergonomic shape also let you stroke comfortably, the divided shape making the vibrations feel stronger whilst the Manta ridges hold lube for a better stroking sensation, so perfect for solo pleasure too.
The manta ray shape isn’t just for better coverage. The “wings” and the cleft in the centre also enhance the power of the motor, adding movement to the vibration, allowing you to enjoy precision stimulation over and under the head, along the shaft, and against the base.
I have Premature Ejaculation
Fleshlight
Fleshlight Penis sleeves are great when you wish to experience the pleasures of ultra-realistic sensations. Fleshlight is the number one range of sex toys for those with a penis in the world due to life-size exteriors moulded on real body features, Fleshlights replicate vaginal, anal and oral sex sensations with out-of-this-world internal sleeves, packed neatly into a discreet canister for easy use and storage.
The Fleshlight Stamina Training Unit has been designed to help men who experience premature ejaculation and improve their endurance. The inner sleeve’s texture is made up of tightly packed large bumps, designed to provide intense pleasure and, with practice, helps to prolong ejaculation.
I can get an erection, but it’s not good enough for sex
Using a penis pump can benefit men who have erectile dysfunction (ED) and also help prevent people from developing ED by maintaining good penis health, which, in turn, improves the quality of erections and strength of orgasms. Using a penis pump to treat ED can be helpful when medication and surgical interventions do not work or cannot be used due to safety reasons.
Penis pumps are effective in helping the majority get an erection suitable for sex. You don’t require a full erection for penetrative sex.
The risks of side effects or complications are lower than those of medication and surgery, which can cause nerve impairment or unpleasant symptoms. Penis pumps are completely non-invasive and do not have lasting side effects, unlike surgical treatments, injections or medication.
There are several penis pumps on the market, but some are gimmicky and can cause damage to the penis if incorrectly used or are ineffective, unlike the Bathmate Hydromax, we recommend as a penile exerciser.
Bathmate Hydromax
Designed and manufactured in the UK, Bathmate Hydromax is a penis pump that works with the body to produce better and bigger erections. It uses water to ensure that a safe, even vacuum is applied over the entire penis without requiring a constriction ring, unlike lesser devices on the market today.
The use of warm water stimulates circulation and enhances blood flow throughout the penis, while the vacuum opens up the tissues and blood vessels. Whilst inside the Hydromax, the volume of the penis will usually be over 25% bigger than your normal erection, which refreshes the penis with fresh oxygenated blood and helps enlarge the corpora cavernosa – the spongy tissue that holds blood during an erection.
Urologists often recommend that using a combination of treatments such as a penis pump and medication or injections to treat ED produces the best results.
Cock rings
Once you have got an erection, cock rings are an ideal way to make it last longer as well as making you bigger. They can delay ejaculation and intensify orgasms. Used with Bathmate Hydromax, cock rings can enable you to maintain your erection for longer, but these should not be left in place for more than 30 minutes. They should not be used if you have circulatory issues.
Vibrating constriction rings can offer both sexual stimulation to the man and clitoral stimulation, such as the Je Joue Mio
The Atom Plus is the world’s first cock ring designed with dual integrated motors, offering intense perineum stimulation combined with powerful vibrations on the top of the shaft of the penis.
The unique sensation that perineum stimulation provides during masturbation can lead to a heightened pleasurable experience, resulting in a powerful orgasm. It features an ergonomically shaped contact area for a partner to grind against during penetrative sex, whilst the stretchy ring promotes strong, firm erections and an intense orgasm.
The unique shape of Atom Plus enables it to be used from flaccid and allows the wearer to orgasm even without an erection, making it ideal for those with erectile dysfunction.
I have an enlarged prostate
Prostate Massagers
Often ED can be caused by an enlarged prostate as a result of semen building up within the prostate, creating stagnation and bacterial growth and can cause swelling and inflammation (prostatitis). An enlarged prostate can cause urinary and erectile problems, both distressing and uncomfortable, disrupting sleep and sexual function.
However, this can be prevented by using a prostate massager. The prostate, described by some as the male equivalent of a woman’s G-spot, is a walnut-sized semen storage gland located at the base of the penis, just below the bladder. It can be stimulated both externally through pressure against the perineum and internally through the rectum. Anal stimulation is more direct, intense and produces better results.
When the prostate is massaged, a man can experience powerful, long-lasting, often multiple orgasms, and intense ejaculation. This type of orgasm also flushes out any stagnant fluid, causing swelling and inflammation, thus avoiding the need for surgery. It can also decrease the risk of developing prostate cancer by improving the circulation and ridding the prostate of any old fluid which can cause abnormal growths.
Prostate massage can be performed by inserting a finger into the rectum facing upwards towards the stomach. However, this position can be awkward to maintain, so many use prostate massagers to stimulate the prostate gland comfortably, either by themselves or with their partner
Available in many designs with differing functions, prostate massagers can be made from silicone, which is skin safe and gentler on the delicate skin of the genital area, glass or even metal which can be cooled or warmed up. Some prostate massagers can be used manually and others vibrate, creating different sexual sensations.
Anal Beads
Anal beads, such as nJoy Fun Wand consist of several small balls attached together, which are inserted and then removed with varying speeds depending on the effect desired – usually to enhance orgasm. Made from skin safe metal, this wand can be gently heated in warm water or cooled down in the fridge for a different and very pleasurable sexual sensation.
Anal Vibrators
Anal vibrators, such as O Boy and Rude Boy are designed to stimulate this nerve-rich area. Offering differing intensity of the vibrations, you can control the depth of sexual sensation you want to feel. Some vibrating anal toys also have different vibration patterns, which change the waves of vibrations.
Lolli Plug is a vibrating butt plug, suitable for all genders.
The plug’s rounded beads provide additional sexual stimulation whilst the 2 powerful motors, one at the base and one midway along the shaft, are controlled by the intuitive single button interface and transmit 12 intense vibrations and pulsation patterns throughout the whole toy. The smooth body-friendly silicone surface makes it easy to insert and its wide, T-shaped base, which also functions as a handle, ensures you can enjoy safe, carefree play.
Anal Plugs
Anal plugs come in vibrating and non vibrating versions
Some people use anal plugs as a way of preparing the anus for full anal sex. Made from metal, such as nJoy Pure Plugs, glass such as Icicle No. 24, both materials can be cooled or warmed, so you can indulge in temperature play or silicone, such as Rocks Off Butt Quiver or Butt Throb which vibrate, many people love the full feeling they promote.
I struggle to orgasm
We often think that erectile dysfunction is just about people with a penis not being able to get or maintain an erection or ejaculating too quicky, however, some people find they struggle to orgasm, or it takes much longer. They may find they can orgasm when visually stimulated by watching porn, erotic films or their partner masturbating and when enjoying oral sex but struggle when they have penetrative sex.
Just as sex toys can promote and help to maintain an erection and slow down ejaculation, some are ideal for helping with delayed ejaculation, including Fleshlight These can help people become accustomed to the sensation of being inside a vagina or anus and are often recommended by many of the psychosexual therapists we work with.
Using a vibrator designed for a penis such as Pulse Solo Essential or the Fun Factory Manta can help or even a small powerful bullet vibrator used on the head of the penis. You may find you can enjoy an orgasm when using an anal toy or prostate massager. These are great to play with alone or with a partner.
Is it hygienic to use anal toys?
Choose a high-quality sex toy, made from a skin – safe material such as silicone, glass or metal, which should be easy to clean and non-porous. Rubber, jelly and latex products are difficult to clean and can absorb bacteria. If you are concerned about hygiene, consider using a condom over the sex toy.
All our anal toys are specifically designed with a ridge at the base to prevent them from being inserted too far into the anus.
Antibacterial toy cleaning products are great to ensure that your product is clean.
Do I need to use lubricants?
Sexual Lubricants
When using any sex toy, a good quality lubricant will make their use more pleasurable. YES organic lubricants and SUTIL Luxe and Rich are excellent for using with silicone, glass or metal toys. Leaving no residue, free from any irritating ingredients like the vast majority of lubricants and having no smell, taste or colour, these are ideal for everyone, whatever their age, gender or sexual orientation people
Water-based lubricants
Made from botanical and organic ingredients, YES water-based lubricant, is suitable for all sexual activities. Having a tendency to be absorbed over longer periods of sex play, re-application or a little sprinkle of water will re-activate the lubricant. SUTIL Luxe and Rich are long-lasting water-based lubricants, a little goes a long way, and they don’t need reapplication like other water-based lubricants They are suitable for all of our silicone, glass, metal and ABS toys and are easy to wash off. SUTIL Rich is thicker in formulation so is ideal for use with our anal toys and for anal play.Oil-based lubricants
Yes oil-based lubricant, is suitable for all toys as well as sex itself. Its thicker consistency makes it particularly suitable for play with anal toys. However, it is not latex condom compatible and will stay inside the vagina and anus for up to 24 hours.Silicone lubricants
Silicone lubricants, are excellent for all sex play but, in particular, anal play. They also last for a long time during play and are very enjoyable to use for any activities but as with most silicone lubes, they should NOT be used with silicone toys or most male masturbators (e.g. Fleshlight).
It is important to protect your sexual health and pleasure by avoiding sexual lubricants that contain ingredients such as parabens, petroleum-based ingredients (found in petroleum jelly), glycerin which can can promote yeast infections, glycols which are well-known irritants deprive the skin of the oxygen it needs and can cause irritation. Products which contain substances which cause a tingling or warming sensation may trigger an allergic reaction and are best avoided, as are products not designed for sexual use that you may find in your store cupboard or bathroom cabinet. Just because a product feels slippery does not mean it is suitable to use as sexual lubricant.
Always do a skin test when trying a new product for the first time.
If you notice any irritation, stinging, burning or itching, wash the product off with water.
Sex toys can enhance your sex life if you have ED, enabling you to overcome or reduce the symptoms you may be experiencing. When combined with medication, many of our sex toys can improve the outcome, increasing your sexual health and pleasure and enabling you to enjoy sexual intimacy and pleasure whoever you are.