Assistive Products for Sexual Activities
Last updated 12-09-2022
If you experience limitations in relation to sexual activities, you can learn more in this guide on various assistive products that can support your sex life.There may be a number of reasons why you would need an assistive product for sexual activities. It could be issues like erectile problems, reduced function or dysfunction in the pelvic floor muscles, cognitive challenges, or a lack of mobility or strength in one or more parts of the body.
For many people, a well-functioning sex life is part of quality of life. However, some may need extra support to be able to engage in sexual activities alone or with others, including the use of assistive products.
Many assistive products for sexual activities are available in regular commerce. In AssistData, some of the product types mentioned in this guide can be found under assistive products for sexual activities and assistive products for training the pelvic floor.
Examples of assistive products for sexual activities
Examples of assistive products for sexual activities
There are many different types of assistive products for sexual activities. The following examples are limited to product types found in AssistData.
Dummies
A dummy is an item that imitates something real. In the context of sexual activities, this could include items such as an artificial vagina, an artificial penis, or a sex doll. If you have difficulty masturbating or being intimate with another person due to reduced sensitivity, mental health, or physical challenges, dummies may be a help for you.
There are various dummies available, which provides you with the opportunity to suit your preferences. For example, there are sex dolls that consist only of a torso, making them easier to handle, or full-body sex dolls if that is your preference.
Vibrators
Vibrators for sexual activity encompass a wide range of assistive products for sexual activity, whether alone or with others. Some vibrators can provide more intense stimulation than ordinary stimulation, which may be relevant if you have reduced sensitivity.
There are vibrators that can be operated through an app or a remote control, allowing you to use the vibrator without necessarily having to hold it. You can also use special holders that maintain your vibrator in the right position for you.
Assistive products for erection
If you experience difficulties with achieving an erection, there are various assistive products for erection, such as penis pumps and penis rings. A penis pump works like a vacuum device and makes the penis erect before intercourse. The penis ring is to be placed around the base of the penis after achieving an erection and is kept there during intercourse. This way, the outflow of blood from the penis is inhibited, and the erection can be maintained throughout intercourse. Thus, the penis pump and penis ring can be used in combination: first, the penis pump is used to achieve an erection, and then the penis ring is applied to maintain the erection.
There can be both physical and psychological causes for erection problems. Physical causes may include the consequences of surgical treatment or side effects of medicines. Psychological causes may include stress-related conditions or depression.
If you are unsure about the cause of the erection problem or wish to explore options for medical treatment, your doctor can assist you with assessment and treatment.
Products for sexual rehabilitation
If you experience other kinds of challenges with sexual activities, there are various assistive products for sexual rehabilitation. For instance, there are mobile chairs that allow you to create a smooth pelvic movement with less physical effort during intercourse. Additionally, various types of positioning cushions, can support you in achieving a desired position.
If you have undergone radiation therapy in the pelvic area, such as the cervix uteri or the uterus, your mucous membranes in the vagina may be affected in various ways. To preserve the possibility of having intercourse and undergoing pelvic examinations, it may be necessary to use a dilator.
Training the pelvic floor
Training the pelvic floor
Training of the pelvic floor can be beneficial for both men and women. If you, as a woman, experience difficulties in achieving orgasm, or if you, as a man, have erection problems, pelvic floor training can make a difference.
Exercises for the pelvic floor can strengthen the muscles in the pelvic area and enhance blood circulation, thereby improving the ability to achieve an erection or experience orgasm. In AssistData, you can find assistive products for training the pelvic floor.
On sundhed.dk, you can learn more about pelvic floor training for women, while you can find information on pelvic floor exercises for men on the website of the Danish Cancer Society (Kræftens Bekæmpelse).
Cleaning and maintenance
Cleaning and maintenance
Always adhere to the manufacturers instructions regarding cleaning and maintenance of your assistive product. It is important to follow hygiene guidelines concerning the risk of infections and contagious sexually transmitted diseases when using assistive products for sexual activity.
Safety in use
Safety in use
If a manufacturer markets an assistive product for sexual activity as intended to relieve or compensate for a disability or impairment, it must be CE-marked as medical equipment. The device must then meet various requirements, such as those related to strength, materials, and electrical safety if electrical components are included in the product.
These requirements are outlined in standards such as:
Many of the products mentioned in this guide are not marketed as medical equipment but rather as, e.g. sex toys. There is an international standard specifically for sex toys:
Would you like to know more?
Would you like to know more?
If you wish to read more about sexuality and disabilities, you can find informational materials at the umbrella organization for young people with disabilities: The Association of Young People with Disabilities (SUMH).
If you want to read more about professional support regarding sexuality and adults with disabilities, the Danish Authority of Social Services and Housing (Social- og Boligstyrelsen) has published the handbook:
