Potential reactions
No serious adverse events were observed, Dr. Serefoglu reported. Potential adverse reactions include redness, discomfort, and localized pain, according to the company’s website.
Men should not use vPatch if they have been diagnosed with pelvic cancer, or if they have an implanted electronic device, diabetes with peripheral neuropathy, or perineal dermatologic diseases, irritations, or lesions. Other precautions include avoiding use of the vPatch in water or humid environments. The device has not been tested on use with a pregnant partner.
The disposable patches are meant for one-time use. “The miniaturized perineal stimulation device may become an on-demand, drug-free therapeutic option,” Dr. Serefoglu said.
Combining electrical stimulation with other treatment approaches may provide additional benefit, said Bradley Schwartz, DO, professor and chairman of urology at Southern Illinois University, Springfield, who moderated the session at the AUA meeting at which the results of the study were presented.
“You go from 1 to 2 minutes just with this device,” Dr. Schwartz said. “If you went from 2 to 3 minutes, you would essentially be tripling their pleasure or their time, which might make a significant difference.”
Serefoglu agreed that combining the stimulator with other treatment approaches such as topical anesthetics could increase patient satisfaction.
Comoderator Kelly Healy, MD, assistant professor of urology at Columbia University Medical Center, New York, highlighted a direction for future research: examining outcomes according to different types of relationships, as well as partner satisfaction.
“That is a perfect question that should also be considered in the future trials,” Dr. Serefoglu said. “This was mainly focused on the man’s satisfaction. But men are trying to delay their ejaculation to satisfy their partner.”
Dr. Serefoglu is on the scientific advisory board for Virility Medical, which sponsored the study. Dr. Healy had no disclosures. Dr. Schwartz disclosed ties to Cook Medical.
A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.