(125) Measurement of Clitoral Pulse Amplitude with a Wearable Device

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Penile erection is well understood and has been extensively studied. The Erectile Hardness Score is a commonly used tool to quantify the strength of an erection. Few such measurement tools exists for women. This study builds on the work done by Mechelmans et al exploring Clitoral Pulse Amplitude (CPA) as a marker for physical arousal in women. CPA has been shown to be related to clitoral blood volume, erection, and engorgement of the clitoris. The erection in the clitoris is homologous to penile erection. Objective To test a new, wearable, clitoral pulse sensor designed for at-home use for correlation with subjective arousal for proof of concept. To test the comfort and usability of such a device configured with an internal (vaginal) portion and a clitoral portion. Methods 20 healthy female participants were shipped the device and completed the study from their home with an online module which guided them through the study material. Participants wore the device while watching a control (non-arousing) video and during progressively more sexually arousing activities. They were allowed to choose their own materials to watch, read, or listen to for arousal. A masturbation phase was included for additional information. Participants also reported their subjective arousal after each phase. After the test, participants were also surveyed about the comfort and usability of the device. Results The pulse sensor successfully detected CPA. Results show that most participants had increasing levels of subjective arousal correlating with increasing CPA. Statistical correlation between CPA and arousal was positive but low, which could be attributed to differences of sensor calibration and/or device placement by participants. Overall, this positive relationship indicates that a commercially available pulse sensor could be integrated into a future device to measure physical arousal in women, a metric which was previously not widely available. Participants reported high satisfaction with the comfort and usability of the device. These insights validate that this device shape will be comfortable and usable in further iterations, with the ultimate goal of producing a device which would give clitoris-owners greater insight into their sexual health and provide valuable information to their healthcare providers. Conclusions This study showed a positive relationship between Clitoral Pulse Amplitude and subjective sexual arousal using an at-home wearable device, opening possibilities for future measurement devices. Participants felt the device was very comfortable and easy to use, suggesting this form factor with vaginal (internal) and clitoral (external) portions is a viable configuration for further development. We anticipate improving both the pulse sensing system and device usability as the device is further commercialized. Disclosure Yes, this is sponsored by industry/sponsor: FirmTech. Clarification: Industry initiated, executed and funded study. Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: FirmTech.