The mechanotherapy of sexual disorders

Abstract

Once one's name is added to the mailing lists of those companies which sell mechanical devices for sexual pleasure, a flood of mail may be expected which will be an education in itself. The devices are numerous and the variety has become a match for those commonly written of as having been available to the Japanese for years past. The following discussion is limited, however, to the artificial penis, a constricting device, the vibrator, and the Kegel perineometer, all of which may be considered to be devices useful in the treatment of impotence and frigidity. THE ARTIFICIAL PENIS Under various names there has been a renascence of the artificial penis. The latest models appear superior to the dildo or godemiche of old: made of a flexible, yet firm, plastic, manufactured in varied sizes, colored in flesh tones, easy to wear. A patient of mine who purchased one is a divorcee, living alone, approaching middle age, and passionate. She had no sexual outlets other than masturbation and found the artificial phallus an adequate substitute. Adequate, that is, but not satisfactory. She longed for a male companion, a husband, but this the device could not replace. The following case illustrates its use in the treatment of impotence. A 32-year-old housewife was seen in a depressed state. Her husband, 25 years her senior, had lost his potency and precipitated her depression the year before. He loved her but found himself unable to function sexually, no matter how hard he tried. His family doctor had told him that this was a result of age and nothing could be done for him. She required the sexual show of love in order to overcome a feeling of rejection which had dogged her most of her lifetime. Her husband readily accepted the use of the artiScial phallus and again began to make sexual overtures to his wife. He had discontinued this activity when his inability to get an erection would only cause his wife to burst into tears. Knowing that now he could make love to her even without an erect penis, he found himself relaxing in the sex act. To his astonishment, with this lessening of the pressures