(226) Wearable Devices for Monitoring Sexual Encounter Physiology in Patients with Psychogenic Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Qureshi F , Codrington J , Rahman F , Yarborough C , Saltzman R , Deebel N , Ledesma B , Muthigi A , Ramasamy R 
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Understanding the physiological changes during sexual arousal and function in males with psychogenic erectile dysfunction remains an area of limited comprehension, despite a well-established understanding of erection physiology. To bridge this gap, we conducted a prospective study employing both qualitative and quantitative methods, to investigate the utility of wearable devices in measuring and identifying the physiological changes among males diagnosed with psychogenic sexual dysfunction.

Objective

This study aims to leverage wearable device technology to precisely measure and analyze physiological parameters, including heart rate, during sexual encounters in individuals diagnosed with psychogenic erectile dysfunction.

Methods

Individuals diagnosed with psychogenic erectile dysfunction were asked to wear a FitBit Versa 3 for a period of six weeks. Encrypted, de-identified data from the Fitbit was sent via the Fitbit app on subject’s smartphones to a single member of the research team. Subjects were asked to log the number, type (penetrative/oral/erogenous touch/masturbation), and timing of sexual encounters. Subjects also logged whether orgasm was achieved, and their satisfaction with the encounter.

Results

Over the course of the study, data from twenty unique sexual encounters were analyzed. Patients’ heart rate during both masturbation and sexual intercourse were recorded and normalized to their resting heart rate. During both sexual intercourse and masturbation, patterns of heart rate variability emerged, with an excitement phase (initial rise in heart rate), plateau phase, orgasm (peak heart rate), and resolution phase (decrease back to baseline heart rate), in line with our previous findings in individuals without sexual dysfunction. The data also indicate that these physiologic responses are similar regardless of if the patient is engaging in intercourse with a partner, or engaging in masturbation via self-stimulation.

Conclusions

We have previously shown that wearable device technology can be used to delineate patterns of heart rate variability during sexual encounters in healthy patients without sexual dysfunction. Data from our current study further highlights the feasibility of wearable device technology for conveniently and accurately measuring physiological parameters during sexual activity in patients with psychogenic erectile dysfunction. Furthermore, our data is the first to show that heart rate variability is consistent between masturbation and sexual activity with a partner in patients diagnosed with psychogenic erectile dysfunction. These findings contribute to the limited existing literature on objective physiologic measurements during sexual activity and emphasize the potential of wearable technology in monitoring physiological changes in sexual encounters. This study has further implications for both research and clinical settings for psychogenic erectile dysfunction. In research, Fitbits and other wearable devices may provide a convenient and non-invasive method for studying sexual satisfaction and further characterizing psychogenic erectile dysfunction, while in a clinical setting these devices may help healthcare professionals

Disclosure

No.