Role of Wearable Devices and Mobile Applications in Sexual Medicine

What Are Wearable Devices?

Wearable devices are electronic devices that the user wears in clothing and accessories on the body. These devices integrate processors, sensors, and wireless connective devices that collect and transmit information. Wearable devices play a role in sexual health and wellness.

Examples of wearable devices related to sexual health are listed as follows.

• Vibrating rings.

• Couple’s sex toys.

• Kegel exerciser - a small insertable device for strengthening pelvic floor muscles.

• Sexual function monitoring devices.

• Wearable contraceptives.

What Is the Role of Wearable Devices in Sexual Medicine?

Wearable devices have a significant role in sexual medicine since they assist in diagnosing, monitoring, assessing, and treating a wide range of sexual health disorders.

The common roles of wearable devices in sexual medicine include the following:

• Diagnostic Tools: Wearable devices could help with the collection of objective data that assists in the diagnosis of sexual disorders. So, the appliances measuring penile rigidity and tumescence could help diagnose sexual health conditions like erectile dysfunction (ED). Such tools also help differentiate between psychological and physiological causes of sexual illnesses.

• Treatment Guidance: In many instances, wearable devices can be applied as an adjunct therapy to conventional and existing treatment options. So, wearable devices like vacuum erection devices (VED) could aid in treating erectile dysfunction by creating a vacuum to transport blood into the penis. Similarly, a penile traction device is a wearable device that can be used as an adjunct treatment for the condition called Peyronie’s disease (a disorder defined by penile curvature).

• Biofeedback and Training: Biofeedback and training programs are crucial in sexual health concerns. Wearable devices could assist with the training process and help validate biofeedback for sexual disorders. Wearable pelvic floor muscle training devices could help improve pelvic floor strength and overall control. So, wearable devices effectively help manage sexual dysfunction and urinary incontinence by strengthening the pelvic floor muscles.

• Research and Data Analyses: Wearable devices could be used in research and studies to collect objective data on sexual medicine. These devices help collect data on sexual response, behavior, and overall sexual function. This data collection could increase awareness of sexual conditions, outcomes, treatments, and sexual well-being.

• Performance Monitoring: The monitoring of sexual function is essential in sexual medicine. Wearable devices could track and assess sexual activity. This tracking could yield valuable insight into sexual performance and progress over time. Such assessments and outcomes could be helpful for healthcare providers in determining the safety and efficacy of treatments and lifestyle modifications.

What Are the Sexual Health-Related Mobile Applications?

There are numerous sexual health-related mobile applications covering a wide range of sexual topics, concerns, and functionalities.

The mobile applications include information and tactics related to the following factors.

• Sexual education.

• Sexual information.

• Sexual wellness and pleasure.

• Parenthood.

• Sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing.

• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing tool.

• Relationships.

• Intimacy.

• Kegel exercises.

• Pelvic floor training app.

• Couples quiz.

• Exploration of sexual fantasies.

What Is the Role of Mobile Applications in Sexual Medicine?

Mobile applications possess various roles in sexual medicine. Several mobile applications contribute to the assessment, education, treatment, and overall function of sexual health.

The significant roles of mobile applications in sexual medicine are listed below.

• Education and Knowledge: Certain sexual health apps give access to a good standard and evidence-based reliable information about sexual disorders, diagnosis, treatment strategies, sexually-transmitted infection (STI) preventions, contraception methods, and other topics related to sexual health. Such mobile applications provide knowledgeable and beneficial articles, videos, resources, articles, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) to gain better awareness and understanding.

• Symptoms Tracking and Assessment: Mobile applications could help people track symptoms and assess conditions related to sexual health. The symptoms tracker provides surveys, questionnaires, and symptomatic features, that allow people to identify sexual patterns, monitor changes, and determine the presence of dysfunction. The users can easily present and discuss them with the healthcare providers for the appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

• Treatment Reminders: Mobile applications could help users adhere to diagnostic and treatment schedules. Certain sexual health apps are designed to guide people undergoing treatment for sexual disorders, including premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, and loss of libido (low sex drive). Such apps incorporate beneficial features like reminders for appointments, reminders for medication plans, exercise programs, and therapeutic sessions.

• Sexual Health Tracking: Mobile applications play a beneficial role in sexual health tracking. This app helps track sexual activity, duration, frequency, satisfaction levels, and specific behaviors. The information and caution help the individuals gain insight into their sexual function, including their patterns, concerns, and preferences. This information, in turn, can be discussed with healthcare providers for additional guidance and care.

• Mindfulness and Well-Being: Certain mobile applications address and concentrate on relaxation, mindfulness, and stress-reducing behaviors. So, such relaxation and mindfulness techniques could positively influence overall sexual well-being. These mobile applications incorporate features like meditation plans, guided exercises, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for people combating psychological-related sexual concerns.

• Telemedicine and Virtual Consultations: People are not in a rush to wait in a queue for physician’s consultations in the modern era. They can just grab the phone and book the virtual consultations. So, certain mobile apps could facilitate and ease telemedicine services, providing virtual consultations with specified healthcare professionals. This app can be more beneficial for people living in remote areas and those not making in-person visits.

Conclusion:

Both wearable devices and mobile applications possess the potential to promote sexual health outcomes, strengthen communication between healthcare professionals and patients, provide users with valuable tools and reliable resources, and guide strategies for managing sexual well-being. Nevertheless, it is essential to use these applications and technologies in tandem with the advice of healthcare professionals for more accurate and tailored diagnoses, treatment plans, and directions based on individual needs.